Donzoko Northern Helles Review

Donzoko / Northern Helles 

This article is based on a past tasting experience, updated in June 2025.

【#rihobeer No. 474】Donzoko / Northern Helles 
Recommended Craft Beer

Here’s an introduction to this recommended craft beer, including where to buy it and its flavor profile. Use it as a reference for your next beer pick!

What Kind of Craft Beer Is This?

Beer Characteristics

[Northern Helles / Donzoko]

STYLE:Helles

ABV:4.2%

DONZOKO’s flagship beer.

Brewed with German malt and cold-fermented with a Swiss lager yeast, it features a clean malt backbone and rich, bread-like aroma.

By adding a mixed-culture beer specifically brewed for their lager production to the wort, they control the pH level and achieve a refreshing finish after fermentation.

New Zealand hops are used moderately to impart floral and fruity aromas, perfectly complementing the crispness.

Naturally carbonated for an extremely clean and smooth taste.

From the importer https://www.freestylehops.com/hops/peacharine-t90-hop-pellets/

Northern Helles is our flagship lager. We use German malt and ferment cold with a Swiss lager yeast strain, for a clean malt backbone with notes of sweet crusty bread. Our unique house acid culture is added in the brewhouse to control the pH level of the beer and achieve a crisp, refreshing finish after fermentation.

We top it all off by moderately hopping with New Zealand hops for hints of floral fruit, complementing the crispness perfectly.

Northern Helles is hazy, served unfiltered, and perfect for cracking open with friends.

Northern Helles is our flagship lager. We use German malt and ferment cold with a Swiss lager yeast strain, achieving a clean malt backbone with notes of sweet, crusty bread. The beerのpHレベルを制御し、発酵後のさわやかでさわやかなAftertasteを実現するために、醸造所で当社独自の自家酸培養物が加えられます。

We finish by moderately hopping with New Zealand hops for floral fruit aromas, perfectly enhancing the crispness.

Northern Helles is hazy, served unfiltered, and perfect for sharing with friends.

 

Quoted from Untappd https://untappd.com/b/donzoko-brewing-company-northern-helles/2326253

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When Did I Buy It?

2023November

Where Did I Buy It?

The Slop Shop

About the Brewery

A brewery known for their lagers.

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Beer Style Guidelines

44. Munich-Style Helles

　Munich Helles ranges in color from pale to gold. The appearance is clear, and chill haze is not acceptable. Fruity esters should not be present. Hop aroma is low, and may be entirely absent. Hop flavor is derived from noble-type hops at very low to low levels. Hop bitterness is also from noble-type hops at a low level. Malt aroma and flavor are more prominent than hops, and may suggest bready, lightly toasted barley malt character. However, caramel character should not be present. Very low levels of sulfur produced by yeast during fermentation are acceptable if balanced with other characters. Very low DMS is acceptable. Diacetyl should not be present. Body is medium. Some beers labeled as Austrian-Style Marzen are virtually indistinguishable from Munich Helles and are appropriately included in this style.

• Original Gravity (Plato)：1.044-1.050 (11.0-12.4)
• Final Gravity (Plato)：1.008-1.012 (2.1-3.1)
• ABV：4.8-5.5% ABV
• Bitterness Units：18-25 IBU
• Color：4-5.5 SRM (8-11 EBC)

Beer Style Guidelinesより https://beertaster.org/beerstyle/2204_detail/2204_044.html#j044

Craft Beer Review

Appearance (SRM)

3-4 Light in color, slightly hazy.

Aroma

Aroma (Orthonasal)

Strong T-2-N cardboard aroma indicating oxidation. Behind it lies a light bread character. Noble hops are also perceptible. Both malt and hops are restrained, very Helles-like.

Flavor (Retronasal)

In addition to the refreshing noble hop character, NZ hops provide a subtle menthol-like sweetness that doesn’t overpower. Slight caramel-like roasted aroma. After swallowing, a white wine-like impression from the NZ hops rises in the back of the nose. Feels premium. Remarkably satisfying for its ABV.

Taste

Mouthfeel

Light carbonation.

Body and Texture

Body is between light and medium. Has more substance and grip than you’d expect from a Helles.

The Swallow

Goes down smoothly. A slight sweetness lingers.

Aftertaste

A menthol-like refreshing sensation remains.

Dregs

Australian hops used in the whirlpool? The menthol-like impression is very strong. No bitterness. The acidity in the aftertaste is amplified.

Tasting Notes

Aroma (Out of 10)

Malt (Out of 3)

3

Hops (Out of 3)

2

Hops are too strong. I felt NZ hops are inappropriate for this style. That said, it’s still tasty. Scoring strictly by style guidelines, I have to deduct points.

Other (Out of 4)

3

Slight caramel detected. Not typical for a Helles.

Appearance (Out of 6)

Color (Out of 2)

2

Clarity (Out of 2)

1

Hazier than expected for a Helles. Cloudy.

Head Retention (Out of 2)

1

Oxidized.

Flavor (Out of 19)

Malt (Out of 3)

3

Hops (Out of 3)

2

Wrong hop variety for the style.

Condition (Out of 2)

1

Oxidized.

Aftertaste (Out of 3)

1

For a Helles, the sweetness lingers too long and becomes somewhat cloying. Candy-like sweetness.

Astringency detected due to degradation.

Balance (Out of 4)

3

Overall candy-like sweetness. Not a pure Helles. If there were a style called American Helles, this would be it.

Other (Out of 4)

4

Body (Out of 5)

4

Heavy for a Helles.

Overall Impression (Out of 10)

6

Doesn’t match the style guidelines, but it tastes like what I’d imagine an American Helles to be. Personally, I like it.

Total (Out of 50)

36

Overall Impression

I thought of it as an American Helles. Very tasty, but not a pure Helles.

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Donzoko / Northern Helles  FAQ

Donzoko / Northern Helles  – What Does It Taste Like?

Donzoko / Northern Helles  is a craft beer. For detailed tasting notes on taste, aroma, and appearance, please see the main article.

Donzoko / Northern Helles ?

It may be available at craft beer specialty shops and online stores. If it’s hard to find, check out our recommended craft beer feature for other great options.

Are there other recommended craft beer brands?

We review many craft beers on this site.The Complete Guide to Dank IPAやDDH & TDH Beer Explained for more.

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