On top of that, the fermentation process is long and sophisticated. Brewing technique and the use of quality ingredients play a huge role in producing a great pilsner.īrewers source high quality malt and hops and use only the freshest products. What that means is refreshing, light, and with an assertive bitterness. So what makes a great pilsner?įirstly, pilsners need to be crisp. From big name brands to niche craft brews, the style has many offerings. There are a lot of pilsners on the market. Because of this, Japanese pilsner has a refreshing and dry mouthfeel which is meant for maximum drinkability. Like the Americans, Japanese brewers replaced part of their grain with available ingredients. Today, American pilsners, such as Budweiser, are mass produced but many craft breweries are trying to redefine the style. This is often attributed to a sweeter taste than a beer with all barley malt. Due to availability, American breweries used corn to replace a portion of the grain bill. Budweiser, Busch, and Miller all have their roots in European brewing traditions.
Mass immigration in the 19th century saw many European families relocate stateside. Dry-hopping gives Italian pilsners their characteristic floral and herbaceous bouquet. These are hoppier than a German or Czech pilsner. The Czechs brew with restrained bitterness, more aromatic hop character, and a lower alcohol content. Czech PilsnerĪlso called Bohemian pilsner, Czech pilsner is similar to the German style. Hoppy bitterness and very pale color are typical characteristics of German pilsner. The major types of pilsner around the world are: German Pilsner As one of the most important and influential styles of beer, there are some regional differences. Refreshing and highly carbonated, pilsner beer has a wide range of flavors. The characteristic crisp malt backbone mixed with hoppy bitterness is the hallmark of the style. Usually, pilsners are between 4 to 5.5% ABV. What Is A Pilsner?Ī pilsner is a pale lager made with pale malt, floral hops, and bottom fermenting yeast. We love sitting back and enjoying these beers and admiring their craft, quality, and crispness. Here are 10 of the best pilsner beers in the world. As brewers ourselves, we think a great pilsner represents the sign of a great brewer. With the recent surge in craft-brewed pilsners, we thought we’d highlight our favorites. This historic style, as popular as it is, has undergone a rebirth in craft beer in recent years. Golden, effervescent, and refreshing, pilsners are the default go-to beer for most beer drinkers. Pilsner beer is one of the world’s most popular drinks.