Helles beer, a pale lager originating in Munich, was first brewed in the late 19th century as a response to the popularity of Pilsner, offering a malt-forward alternative to the crisp, hoppy style. Its flavor profile is characterized by a smooth, bready malt sweetness balanced with mild hop bitterness, resulting in a clean, easy-drinking beer with a slightly fuller body than its Pilsner counterpart.