Pilsner Beer Buying Guide

A pilsner  is a pale lager beer also known as pilseners or pils.  Pilsners are different from other lagers in a few ways.  The barley is only lightly heated, instead of roasted, and generous portions of fragrant hops are added to give it a special zing. Finally, the brew is fermented in a cool place, not in a refrigerated environment.  These processes give pilsners the aromatic, dry taste that distinguishes them from other lagers.

History

In mid 19th century Bohemia, beers were top-fermented ales and cloudy, which spoiled very easily.  With a standard of quality so inconsistent, consumers dumped barrels to show their dissatisfaction.  In 1839, the citizens of Pilsen founded their own brewery, called, in English, Citizens' Brewery. Bohemians soon experimented by storing beer in cool caves and brewing with bottom-fermenting yeast to create lagers.  Joseph Groll, the brewmaster at Citizens Brewery, tried another experimental technique by using light barley that was barely malted, instead of roasted like the other German brewers.  He presented the first batch of pilsner beer in October of 1842. It was an extremely clear, golden colored beer with a dense head of foam, drier in character than their customary brew. The new, refreshing beer not only took Germany by storm, but became a sensation in Europe.  Breweries creating the clear, golden beer have since proliferated around the world, and pilsner beers are extremely popular worldwide.  Since they are mild compared to ales, pilsners appeal to the masses.  Today, pilsners are still the marquee beer of Germany, and the main beverage of Oktoberfest.

Pilsner by Region

• Czech Pilsner :  Deeper in color and malt than German pils.
• German Pilsner :  Light in color and body.
• American Pilsner :  Derived mainly from Czech pilsner, it has a muted hoppiness.
• Dutch Pilsner : Very sweet tasting, such as Amstel  and Heineken. 
• Belgian Pilsner :  Also sweet tasting like Jupiler  and Stella Artois. 

German Favorites

Augustiner  Augustiner Pils is brewed according to the original Pilsner recipe to give it a grassy flavor.	Beck's  Beck's is very popular worldwide and is widely available. It's mild flavor appeals to a wide variety of palettes.	Holsten  Crisp and clean finish, this pilsner is cheap and easily available.	Wurzburger  This pilsner is very popular and valued by beer connoisseurs.

Other Popular Varieties

Pilsner Urquell  The prototypical pilsner, its name literally means 'original source'. Considered almost floral and zesty in flavor.	Sam Adams Golden Pilsner  An American interpretation of a Czech pilsner, but yet not as bitter as its European counterparts.	Warsteiner  This is the number one selling beer in Germany. Very light, dry, and refreshing.	Victory Prima Pils  A very crisp and clean American adaptation from a small brewery in Pennsylvania.

Related Guides

Beer Guide	Ale Guide	Stout Guide	Lager Guide