Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Not Your Grandfather’s Lager

Pilsner

Pilsner styles of beer originate from Bohemia in the Czech Republic. They are medium- to medium-full bodied and are characterized by high carbonation and tangy Czech varieties of hops that impart floral aromas and a crisp, bitter finish. The hallmark of a fresh pilsner is the dense, white head. The alcohol levels must be such as to give a rounded mouthfeel, typically around 5 percent ABV. Classic pilsners are thoroughly refreshing, but they are delicate and must be fresh to show their best. Few beers are as disappointing to the beer lover as a stale pilsner. German pilsner styles are similar, though often slightly lighter in body and color. Great pilsners are technically difficult to make and relatively expensive to produce.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

89 Trumer Pils, Trumer Brauerei (CA). 4.9% ABV (10/08)
Bright yellow gold color with a lacy head. Mellow aromas of nut bread and citrus custard follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish medium body with tangy dried lemon peel, roasted nut, and wet multigrain dough notes emerging. Finishes with a nicely astringent fade.

89 Premium Pils, Theresianer (Italy). 5% ABV (10/10)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of salty buttered baguette, wet grain, and faint oyster shell with a round, supple dryish medium body and a smooth toasted nut and lemon pudding accented finish with fine, grassy hops in support. A rather elegant and stylish pils.

89 Pilsner, Okocim Brewery (Poland). 5.6% ABV (11/09)
Deep old gold color with an amber cast. Lightly caramelized nut and bread crust aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a finely carbonated medium body with cream and green apple notes. Finishes with a crisp, off-dry mineral inflected fade with mild hay-like hops. A rock solid quaffer or football beer with nice lightly toasty malt character.

89 Pilsner, Gouden Haven (Holland). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Golden amber color. Interesting aromas of buttered nuts, apple butter, and lemon curd follow through on a round, vigorous entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with honeyed cinnamon French toast notes and a tangy, refreshing herbal and citrus hop finish with balanced astringency.

89 Pilsner Lager, Carlsberg Breweries (Denmark). 5% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden color. Nice toasty bread aroma follow through on a very crisp entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with well integrated grain, cream, and dried citrus notes. Finishes with a touch of earth and verbena accented hops with firm astringency. Clean, proportioned and well suited for hot, spicy food.

89 Pilsner Beer, Legend Brewing Company (VA). 5.8% ABV (10/10)
Golden amber color. Bright apricot marmalade on buttered golden raisin toast aromas and flavors with a frothy, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, dark toasted lemon cake and grassy hop finish. Very different, in your face and ale-like in it’s fruitiness.

89 Main Street Pilsner, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.5% ABV (10/08)
Deep old gold color. Caramel, raisin toast, and dried peach aromas follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish medium body with excellent balance and toastiness. Finishes with a long, toasty, mildly astringent dried lemon hop fade.

89 Bright Lager, Zatec (Czech Republic). 4.6% ABV (10/10)
Rich golden color. Aromas of toasted banana bread, wet grain, and spicy nougat with a round, supple dryish medium body and a long, clay, dried citrus and mossy hop accented finish. A very nice session pilsner.

88 Shiner 101 Pilsner, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 4.6% ABV (10/10)
Deep old gold color. Aromas of fresh crouton, corn pudding, and straw with a round, frothy dryish medium body and a smooth, crisp and balanced citrus rind, nut toast, and earthy hop finish.

88 Premium Pils, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 4.9% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color. Mild toasted grain and butter roasted nut aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a dryish medium body with lemon and melon rind notes on the crisp, earthy finish. A clean and balanced pilsner.

88 Pilsner, Zeos Brewing Company (Greece). 5% ABV (10/10)
Slightly hazy golden color. Toasty corn bread and lemon aromas with a round, frothy dryish medium body and a crisp, wafer, earthy root vegetable and peppery hop finish. A nice food beer to serve with spicy Mediterranean foods.

88 Cusqueña Pilsner, Cerveceria Backus Y Johnston (Peru). 5% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden color with a blanket of foam. Pleasant toasted apple and banana bread aromas have a grassy hop accent and follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with good balance. Finishes with a hint of roasted corn, salty muffin, and earthy astringent hops. Very nice.

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