Munich, Germany
Munich answers Bohemian pale lager with Helles
Munich brewers, losing ground to pale Bohemian beer, produced a pale lager of their own — maltier and less bitter than the beer it responded to.
1894
Why it matters
The origin of a style that remains Munich’s everyday beer and a benchmark for how little a lager can hide behind.
How well this is established
| Certainty | Well attested. Broadly agreed across sources, though the precise dating or detail may vary between them. |
|---|---|
| When | 1894. Known to the year rather than to the day. |
| Where | Munich, Germany |
Styles this shaped
Traditions
- Bavarian lager brewing — Cold fermentation and extended cold storage, developed in Bavarian cellars long before refrigeration and later exported worldwide.
Either side of this
← 1892: The crown cap is patented · 1900: The sparkler divides British cask service →
See the whole sequence on the beer history timeline.
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.