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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Not Your Grandfather’s Lager

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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

84 Hollandia, Bavaria (Holland). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden color. Aromas on peach marmalade on muffins follow through on a round, brisk entry to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body with lots of foamy effervescence and wet grain notes and a fruity, fleeting mineral and moss accented fade.

84 Cusqueña Premium Lager, Unica de Cervecerias Peruanas Backus y Johnston S.A.A. (Peru). 5% ABV (10/10)
Deep golden color. Aromas of toast and red pepper omelet with a crisp, frothy medium body and tart apple and nut skin accented finish.

84 Appenzeller-Bier Quöllfrisch Premium Lager, Brauerei Locher (Switzerland). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Aromas of toasted nut bread and dried citrus have a skunky edge follow through on a creamy entry to a dryish medium body with salty dour dough bread and unsweetened meringue notes. Finishes with a round, root vegetable and mossy hop finish.

84 1845 All Malt Pils, Minhas Craft Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (10/08)
Brilliant golden amber color with a think white blanket of foam. Creamy aromas of nut bread dough and melon yogurt follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with hints of dried orange and apple. Finishes crisply with an earth nutshell accented fade.

83 Lager, Cantina (El Salvador). 4.6% ABV (10/10)
Golden yellow color. Salty corn pudding aromas and veggie omelet aromas with a round light body and a crisp, foamy lemon sparkling water finish.

83 Anchor Smooth Beer, Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore). 4.5% ABV (10/10)
Golden yellow color. Bright creamed corn and honeyed cornbread aromas with a crisp, dry light-to-medium body and a hint of banana custard and and gentle, spicy hops on the finish. A solid quaffer.

82 Lager, San Lucas (El Salvador). 4.6% ABV (10/10)
Yellow color. Sweet caramel and kettle corn and faint vanilla taffy aromas with a soft dryish light body and a wispy lemon rind and wet mineral finish.

81 Premium Beer, Moutai (China). 4% ABV (10/10)
Bright yellow color. Lively aromas of salty vegetable frittata and baguette crust with a crisp, zesty dryish light-to-medium body and a wispy, dusty wafer, water chestnut and cucumber-like finish with shy hops.

81 Pilsner, Hollande 1620 (Holland). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Golden color. Lightly toasted pizza dough aromas follow through on a supple entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with roasted root vegetable and husky corn notes. Finishes with a crisp, lightly pewter-accented fade.

81 Pilsner, Dutch Windmill (Holland). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of toast, peach skin, and clay follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with creamy effervescent and a brackish, mineral dominated spa water accented finish.

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