Kirkland products, Costco’s private label, tend to fall into the “good, not great” category, where you don’t sacrifice much in quality but get plenty of quantity. The Kirkland Helles Style Lager fits “good, not great” to a tee, which is good news for beer fans who have tried Kirkland beers in the past.
Long-time Costco shoppers know that Costco doesn’t directly produce Kirkland goods; instead, other companies make them (usually at a slightly lower quality than their main products), then Kirkland brands them. So, the quality of the product, which in this case is beer, depends heavily on the original producer. Fortunately, Costco paired with a winner.
Here’s what I thought of the incredibly well-priced and surprisingly decent Helles Style Lager.
Kirkland Signature Helles-Style Lager: At a Glance
The Helles Style Lager, though lacking in an interesting name, doesn’t lack in character. It brings everything you’d expect from a Helles lager, from a 4.5% ABV to a malt-forward profile. But more about the flavor in a bit, since what interested me most about this beer is the branding.
Usually, Kirkland Signature products leave you guessing who the actual producer is. For example, the superior Kirkland Vodka was long rumored to be produced by Grey Goose (it’s actually Distillerie de Gayant). That so many people still assume it’s Grey Goose speaks to just how Kirkland branded these products are.
But not the Helles-Style Lager. There’s no mistaking the brewery behind this beer: Oregon’s Deschutes Brewing. The logo is featured heavily both on the box and the can, which is something of a rarity for Kirkland products. It’s almost as if Costco knew their previous beer options, such as Kirkland Light, were terrible beyond drinkability, and that they needed to lean on another brand’s reputation.
Fortunately, the Helles-Style lager drinks more like a Deschutes beer than a Kirkland beer, meaning it’s a legitimately decent beer, especially for the price.
Kirkland Helles Lager Flavor and Profile
As I mentioned before, the Helles Style Lager is a 4.5% ABV Helles lager. It has tons of delicious malt flavor, as you would expect from a Helles, with sweet bready flavors. It has a great dry finish, all complemented by the smooth carbonation. Put simply, this is a tasty, crispy beer.
But this is Costco! Quality isn’t the only thing that shoppers expect to see from Kirkland products. The brand is famous for its quantity and affordability! Naturally, the Helles Style Lager checks both boxes.
When I last purchased this beer, it was available in 12-packs for $12.99, making it as cost-effective as Modelo. While Modelo is one of my favorite Mexican beers, at this point I think I would prefer the Deschutes…I mean Kirkland Helles Style Lager. It’s truly difficult to find something that meets Deschutes’ quality at this price point.
Final Thoughts: Helles Style Lager
Overall, the Helles Style Lager is an easy buy that you don’t have to think twice about. It’s the perfect afternoon beer that doesn’t weigh heavily in your stomach or on your wallet.
The only downside I can think of is the name. Helles Style Lager describes the beer perfectly, but after writing it a dozen times, I can’t help but think that there has to be a better name.
Of course, you can find much better Helles lagers than this Kirkland iteration, but I doubt you will at this price. I’d recommend this beer seven days a week, followed by a tastier Deschutes option like Mirror Pond or Fresh Squeezed.
Rating: 4/5
Highlights: Quality, affordability, flavor
Downside: Generic, boring name
- Kirkland Helles Style Lager Review: Finally, a Good Kirkland Beer? - June 2, 2026
- Best Breweries In Seattle - May 26, 2026
- Best Breweries in Ballard, Seattle - May 22, 2026
