pFriem Brewmaster & Co-Founder Josh Pfriem Talks Helles Lager

We spoke with the pFriem Family Brewers brewmaster and co-founder Josh Pfriem about Helles Lager.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
Like most beers at pFriem we take a team approach to building them and continually improving them. Bryan Cardwell, our Senior Brewer is currently taking the lead on this beer and driving it forward. 

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
The simplicity of the malt and lager fermentation/conditioning characteristics, with a kiss of hop flavor. 

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
Most beers at pFriem we simply name them after their style or just what they are.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
This is a close contender to Pilsner...

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Smooth, round, clean, malt-forward with a kiss of noble hops.

BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
I have enjoyed and brewed Helles at different points early in my brewing career, but it wasn’t until my first trip to Bavaria that I fell in love with the style. While in Munich, I drank many liters of classic examples of style such as Augustiner. The gentle malt supported by classical lager fermentation notes, while being backed by just enough bitterness, with a kiss of sulfur satisfies the palate in a beautiful way. My favorite example on that trip was found at Schonramer in southeast Bavaria. Schonramer Hell is a wonderful beer; it is incredibly well made, light, delicate, but yet complex. A deep love of helles grew on this trip and these great Bayern examples continually inspire ours. 

BC: What's a good food pairing for this beer?
Soft and delicate cheeses, almost any kind of wurst and wiener schnitzel.

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