Definition of "helles"

On the other hand, the brewing and fermentation processes that turn these straightforward materials into a helles are complex and very precise— brewing a helles is pure haute école. Some of the more robust beers can be somewhat forgiving ...

2000, Horst D. Dornbusch, Bavarian Helles: History, Brewing Techniques, Recipes, Brewers Publications, page 2

I never re-pitch yeast into a helles. Only when I make bock, which is more robust, will I pitch yeast out of another fermenter.

2005, The New Brewer, volumes 22-23, page 32

... which Bennewitz discovered were all the rage in the nascent craft beer movement (ales would have taken significantly less time to make); and the lagers they did brew, including a helles, a schwarzbier (or dark lager), and a pilsner, were not ...

2013, Tom Acitelli, The Audacity of Hops: The History of America's Craft Beer Revolution, Chicago Review Press

Similar in flavor to a pilsner, helles are usually a little bit sweeter and drier in finish, as well as slightly maltier. They are not heavily hopped, instead focusing on barley flavors and mild, bready notes. CraftBeer.com calls the helles a […]

2014, Corey Herschberger, Brew It!: 25 Great Recipes and Techniques to Brew at Home, Fox Chapel Publishing, page 83