Meantime to bring back Helles craft lager after six-year hiatus

Asahi’s craft brewery, Meantime, will revive its Bavarian-style Helles lager in the UK after a six-year hiatus.

London Helles has been brewed using German hallertau blanc hops and spalt select hops to give the beer a traditional and slightly bitter finish. The relaunch is a response to the increasing popularity of Helles-style lagers in the UK.

Meantime said that its latest brew had ‘a refreshing, piney citrus hop aroma and crisp bitterness’, and the beer itself is 4.2% ABV.

First released in 2004, it will return in a handful of select locations across the UK.

Meantime brewmaster Ciaran Giblin said: “Our original Meantime Helles was one of our most popular beers since we started brewing it in 2004. With the traditional Helles balance between malt and hop flavours and aromas, this was a beer that kept people coming back for more.

“We know that beer fans are increasingly looking for a lager that offers something a little different, so now is the perfect time to bring our London Helles to the taps, and satisfy beer lovers’ thirst for a really tasty pint of beer.”

The traditional German hops used have a well-balanced bitterness, making London Helles a suitable accompaniment to any food with a slightly sweet edge, Meantime added.