92 The Master, Asahi (Japan). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Gold. Toasty, fresh baked cracker and roasted corn aromas follow through on a round entry to a foamy, dry, medium body with nice mild earthy, grassy hops and excellent balance and smoothness. Finishes with a long, caramelized grain and Asian pear-accented fade. Very tasty and food-friendly, particularly with spicy Asian curries.
92 Pilsner, Wurzburger Hofbrau (Germany). 4.9% ABV (10/07)
Pure golden color with a frothy head. Wet nut, pizza dough, faint lemon and clay aromas follow through to a dryish medium body with a crisp round, lemon rind and earthy hop fade. Superb balance and drinkability that effortlessly glides across the palate.
92 Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 5.3% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden color. Honeyed baguette and apricot skin aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with great depth and balance. Finishes in a crisp, citrus on toast fade with earthy hops lingering. Delicious and very Czech-like with a fruity twist.
92 Capital Pilsner, Capital Brewery (WI). 4.7% ABV (11/09)
Golden yellow color. Tangy dried peach and lemon and bread dough aromas follow through on a soft, crisp entry to a dry, light-to-medium body with seamless balance and subtle depth of flavor. Finishes with hints of grassy earth and bread. A very true to style pilsner with effortless drinkability.
91 Premium Lager, Kingfisher Brewing Company (NY). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Deep old gold color. Aromas of roasted parsnip, hay and crackers follow through on round, plush entry to dry, medium body with a nice rye toast note. Finishes with a lightly creamy and refreshing, vegetable and earth fade. A nicely styled food beer.
91 Hometown Blonde, New Glarus Brewing Co. (WI). 5.15% ABV (10/07)
Golden amber color. Honey, orange cranberry bread dough and dusty nut aromas. A smooth, delicately frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of sweet nut bread and lemon cake flavors with a tangy orange marmalade and earthy hop fade. A tasty and highly drinkable pilsner.
90 Premium Pilsner, Theresianer (Italy). 5% ABV (11/09)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of sour dough toast, honey roasted nuts and golden beets follow through on a round, supple entry to a frothy medium body with earthy notes of silt and clay. Finishes with accents of lemon curd on toast and grassy, astringent hops. An interesting, more rustic take on pilsner with a lot of character.
90 Pilsner, Zywiec Brewery (Poland). 5.7% ABV (10/07)
Toasty caramel and bread aromas follow through to a vibrant baguette and lemon curd palate with a rich honey nut and earthy hop fade. Great intensity and balanced of flavors.
90 Latitude Highland Pilsner, Atlas Brewery (Scotland). 3.9% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color. Piquant aromas of rye wafer, citrus marmalade and roasted nuts follow through on round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with zingy grapefruit rind and honeyed phyllo dough notes on the long, wonderfully astringent nutshell-accented fade. A thoroughly refreshing lager that will excel as a foil to spicy foods.
90 Lager, Stella Artois (Belgium). 5.2% ABV (11/07)
Bright golden color. Fresh baked buttery baguette, oregano and earth aromas follow through to a frothy, supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with nice honeyed citrus marmalade accents on the crisp lingering fade. Very nice.
90 Bright Lager, Zatec (Czech Republic). 4.6% ABV (10/08)
Rich old gold color. Toasted nuts, bread dough and clay aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a crisp, dryish medium body with orange rind, melon accents. Finishes with a long, tangy mossy, grassy hop, dried citrus peel and honeyed nut fade.
89 Volmaakt Superieur Pilsner, Swinckles Brouwerij (Holland). 5.5% ABV (10/08)
Brilliant old gold color with a fine white blanket. Cashew praline, honeyed raisin toast and subtle orange marmalade aromas follow through on a silky entry to a dry, medium body with good depth and lively flavor interplay. Finishes with a nut and clay-accented fade. Very nice.
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 Samuel Adams All-Noble Pils, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 6% ABV (11/09)
Pale golden amber color. Delicately fruity, honeyed raisin toast aromas follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with delicate roasted vegetable and grassy earth notes. Finishes with a savory, hay and sweet citrus-accented hop fade. A fuller-bodied, more fruit-driven approach to 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 Main Street Pilsner, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.5% ABV (10/08) %{Brewpub}
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.
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 Premium Lager, Bernard (Czech Republic). 4.7% ABV (10/07)
Burnished old gold color. Vibrant wet earth, hay, pretzel dough and caramelized fruit aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of dusty mineral, nuts, sourdough bread and sour lemon flavors with a cardboard and salt water taffy. A bit out-of balance or condition on the finish but a fine beer underneath.
88 Paine’s Pilsner, Fox River Brewing (WI). 5.2% ABV (10/07) %{Brewpub}
Amber color. Honeyed orange bread, toasted nut and straw aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of toasty nut bread and grapefruit zest flavors. Finishes with a crisp and refreshing fade. Not exactly stylistically correct for a pilsner, but very nicely made and highly drinkable.
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.
88 1664 Lager, Kronenbourg (France). 5% ABV (11/09)
Deep old gold color. Aromas of buttered toasted baguette have a hint of honeyed pear and follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with further hints of melon, citrus and cream. Finishes with a smooth toast and a mossy stone-like hop-accented fade. A nicely styled very drinkable pilsner.
87 Victoria Pilsner, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden color. Aromas of buttery praline and water cracker follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with melon and white nut notes. Finishes with a crisp, apple bread toast and roasted vegetable-accented fade with wheatgrass-like hops. Interesting and tasty.
87 Ur-Pils, Brauerei Pinkus Müller (Germany). 5.2% ABV (10/08)
Cloudy golden orange color. Wet cereal, apricot yogurt and whey aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish, lightly creamy medium body with nut skin, silt and peppery spice accents. Finishes with a mild earthy hop, honeyed lemon and toasted grain fade. An interesting, unfiltered mellow lager style.
87 Kujukuri Ocean Beer Pilsner, Kankiku Meijyo Co. (Japan). 5% ABV (11/09)
Lightly hazy old gold color. Faint aromas of sour cream and crackers follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with hints of dried pear and a foamy, dried grass-like hop finish.
87 Deluxe Pilsner Beer, Lionshead (PA). 4.4% ABV (10/07)
Bright golden color. Light buttered toast and delicate, fruit hop aromas follow through to a crisp frothy light-to-medium body of lemon curd on pumpernickel toast flavors with a tangy sweet citrus peel and metallic mineral fade.
87 Brooklyn Pilsner, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 5.1% ABV (11/09)
Aromas of toasted grain, mild canned corn and delicate citrus follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish light body with nice tanginess and balanced vibrancy. Finishes with a mild, lightly creamy hay and honeyed citrus peel fade.
87 Anchor Red Crown Pilsner, Asia Pacific Breweries (China). 4% ABV (10/07)
Golden yellow color. Vibrant wet dough and mineral aromas. A round, crisp entry leads to a light-to-medium body of light banana custard on rye toast flavors. Finishes with a canned corn and metallic mineral fade.
86 Tiger Pilsner, Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore). 5% ABV (11/09)
Pure golden color. Roasted corn, cracker and custard aromas follow through on a soft, crisp entry to a foamy light-to-medium body with clean wet grain and mild apple bread notes. Finishes with mild citrusy hops and a touch of sweet corn niblet. A sturdy quaffer.
86 Salva Vida, Cerveceria Hondurena S.A. (Honduras). 4.8% ABV (11/07)
Yellow golden color. Buttered toast aromas. A frothy, slightly spiky entry leads to a dry, light-to-medium body of buttered brioche, lemon custard and sea salt flavors. Finishes with a creamy sweet, corn-on-the-cob fade with a dash of lemony hops.
86 Premium Lager, Ursus Breweries (Romania). 5.2% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color with a frothy head. Bread crust, butter toasted nuts and light earthy hops aromas have a slight soapy edge and follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry, medium body with dried lemon and nutshell accents. Finishes on a toasty bread note with hay and roasted citrus peel in support. A zippy, refreshing pilsner.
86 Pilsner, Cabaña (El Salvador). 4.6% ABV (11/09)
Pale golden yellow color with a silver cast and lacy white head. Aromas of toasted, buttered baguette with a hint of skunky herbaceousness follow through on a very soft and smooth entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with hints of banana pudding and grain. Finishes with a crisp, earthy hop fade. Nice.
86 Pilsner, Caballo (El Salvador). 4.6% ABV (11/09)
Pale golden yellow color. Mild toasted herbed cornbread aromas follow through on a soft, brisk entry to a dryish light body with grassy and sweet citrusy hops on the easygoing finish. A pleasant, well balanced quaffer.
86 Pig Alley Pilsner, Etna Brewing Co. (CA). 5.29% ABV (11/09) %{Brewpub}
Curious aromas of sour dough raisin bread and fruity honey follow through on a bold, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with grilled asparagus and orange marmalade notes. Finishes with a crisp, toasty, citrusy, vegetal, umami matcha tea-like fade. Pair with smoked turkey and stews.
86 LITH Pils, Govnor’s Public House (IL). 4.9% ABV (11/07)
Pale amber color. Honeyed raisin bread aromas. A round frothy entry leads to a zesty dryish medium-to-full body of grapefruit rind and rye toast flavors. Finishes with a long, long citrusy, lightly piney hop and nut fade. Not really a traditional pilsner style given the aggressive U.S. hops, but very refreshing and a good match for spicy Asian food.
86 Golden Fox Pilsner, Hideji Beer (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Pale amber color. Roasted nuts and dried meat aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of roasted grain, bread dough and nut flavors. Finishes with a dusty hop fade and a touch of dried fruit.
85 Wyborowe, Lomza Brewery (Poland). 6.2% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden amber color with a foamy head. Peach marmalade on toasted cornbread aromas have a light artichoke note and follow through on a soft, round entry to a dryish medium body with citrus, pear, sweet canned corn accents. Finishes with a honeyed nut and lemon cream fade.
85 Warka Lager, Grupa Zywiec S.A. (Poland). 7% ABV (11/09)
Pale amber color. Aromas of honeyed buckwheat pancakes follow through on a round, foamy entry to a very fruity medium-to-full body with peach marmalade on buttered cinnamon rolls notes. Finishes with a honeyed dried apricot and wet stone-accented fade. Oddly sweet and malty for a pilsner, really more of a bock.
85 Ichiban Pilsner, Kirin Brewery (CA). 4.95% ABV (11/09)
Brilliant golden color with a fine blanket of foam. Mild bread and turnip aromas follow through on a round, frothy entry to a dry, light-to-medium body with a touch of canned carrot. Finishes with a tangy honeyed citrus and hay-accented fade. A sturdy quaffer.
85 Bavaria Pilsner, Bavaria (Poland). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden yellow color. Mild creamed corn and bread aromas follow through on a round, brisk entry to a dry, light-to-medium body with canned fruit and bean notes. Finishes with a wash of citrus water, cut grass and wet gravel.
84 Ruri, Coedo Brewery (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Caramel, raisin and bread dough aromas. A crisp entry leads to a frothy, dryish light-to medium body of toast, banana custard and citrus zest flavors. Finishes on a slight nutty note with earthy bittering hops. Very refreshing.
84 Pilsner, Taurino (El Salvador). 4.6% ABV (11/09)
Pale golden yellow color with a fine blanket of foam. Mild roasted corn and biscuit aromas follow through on a soft entry to a dry, light body with a touch of cream and melon rind. Finishes with a carefree, dusty hop and corn husk fade. A pleasant quaffer.
84 Modelo Especial, Cerveceria Modelo (Mexico). 4.4% ABV (11/09)
Rich golden color. Savory toasted nut bread and roasted corn aromas follow through on a crisp entry to a smooth, foamy, dryish medium body with a touch of banana bread and cream. Finishes with a combination of earthy hops, melon and dried citrus notes with a slight metallic tang.
84 Lionshead Deluxe Pilsner Beer, The Lion Brewery (PA). 4.6% ABV (10/08)
Deep old gold color with a fine mousse. Praline, peach yogurt and lemon-lime custard aromas follow through on a round, foamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body with a tangy citrus sprayed melon accent. Finishes with a crisp, wet stone and lemon curd on brioche fade.
84 Lager, Staropramen (Czech Republic). 5% ABV (11/07)
Rich golden amber color. Muted cardboard, raisin bread and dusty earth aromas. A soft entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of thin fruit cake and wax paper flavors with a quick metallic ore and lemon curd fade. Muted and faded.
84 Imperial Pilsner, Cerveceria Hondurena S.A. (Honduras). 5.3% ABV (11/07)
Yellow gold color. Shy aromas of roasted corn and fruit gum. A brisk entry leads to a bubbly, dryish light to medium body of pale malt and corn niblet flavors with a dash of dried fruit. Finishes with a refreshing zesty fade. A nice choice for enchiladas suizas.
84 Hollandia, Bavaria (Holland). 4.8% ABV (11/09)
Bright golden color. Aromas of 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 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 Port Royal Export, Cerveceria Hondurena S.A. (Honduras). 5% ABV (11/07)
Yellow golden color. Faint toasted cornbread and dried fruit aromas. A zesty, prickly entry leads to a dry, light-to-medium body of candied corn and tinny canned corn flavors with a diet lemon-lime soda-like fade.
83 Pilsner, Caguama (El Salvador). 4.6% ABV (11/09)
Golden yellow color with a lacy swirl of white foam. Distinct aromas of toasted biscuit, roasted root vegetables and corn, and baked plantain follow through on a soft, brisk entry to a wet, dryish light body with a touch of wheatgrass and pewter. Finishes with a relaxed cream corn and plantain custard-accented fade. Interesting.
82 Pilsner, San Lucas (El Salvador). 4.6% ABV (11/09)
Pale golden yellow color with a lacy white head. Mild toasted bread and roasted corn aromas follow through on a soft, lightly foamy entry to a dry, light body with a hint of dried plantain. Finishes with soft, citrus rind, hay and mineral notes on the gentle, relaxed fade.
82 Pilsner, Cantina (El Salvador). 4.6% ABV (11/09)
Pale golden yellow color. Bright aromas of butter toasted cornbread and clay follow through on a soft frothy entry to a dry, light-to-medium body with grassy hops and dried citrus and melon notes. Finishes with a breezy, canned corn fade.
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.
Imperial Pilsner
94 Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, Rogue Ales (OR). 8.8% ABV (3/09)
Deep golden amber color with a white-blanketed head. Aromas of dried peach, baguette crust and minerals follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with tart grapefruit and toasted meringue notes. Finishes with a long, chewy citrus and pine-accented hop fade. A big, delicious and balanced strong ale.
92 Hallertau Imperial Pilsner, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 8.6% ABV (11/08)
Brilliant orange amber color with a blanket of mousse. Dense and vibrant aromas of leafy, piney hops and oregano herb bread follow through on a rich entry to a dryish full body with layers of buttered rye toasts, kumquats, grapefruit rind and sweet pepper. Finishes with a long, oily, resinous and leafy earthy hop fade with great bitter astringency. Impressive.
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