Hansa Pilsener
South African Breweries plc

Hansa PilsenerHansa Pilsener
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From:
South African Breweries plc
 
South Africa
Style:
Bohemian / Czech Pilsner
ABV:
4.5%
Score:
76
Avg:
3.1 | pDev: 19.35%
Reviews:
12
Ratings:
29
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 31, 2019
Added:
Jan 03, 2005
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  8
No description / notes.
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Ratings by dirtylou:
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

3.28/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz-ish bottle, had a few times when throughout the nation

appearance: clear golden body with a light foamy white head and little lace

smell: bland pale malts, euro hops

taste: very little taste which may be somewhat of a morale victory for a south african brew...very pale malt structure and an even lighter euro hop structure

mouthfeel: light and watery

drinkability: easy
Jun 29, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of metter98
Reviewed by metter98 from New York

2.96/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
A: The beer is crystal clear light yellow in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high bright white head that died down and left a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of grainy malts are present in the nose along with notes of earthy hops.
T: The taste has flavors of watered down pilsner malts along with hints of earthy hops and a slight amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and clean on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The smell and taste of this pilsner are a little weak, but there are no off flavors.

Serving type: can
Oct 31, 2019
Photo of JonnoWillsteed
Reviewed by JonnoWillsteed from England

2.91/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
L- Reeeally pale yellow! Pours with 5mm white head of course bubbles that cleared straight away to minor lacing.
S- Some very faint malt.
T- Some hoppy bitterness (that seems to build), balanced with a medium body. I don't find anything specific like 'grainy', 'bready', 'toasted' etc etc that I can identify and note. I am surprised to note that perhaps because of it's low-key flavour profile I've specifically been struck a few times by the tang of alcohol; and that from a 4.5% beer is uncommon.
F- It is refreshing, and I can imagine it might be just what you need on a hot day. It is quite notably hoppy-dry, firmly between generics like say Stella Artois, yet not OTT as a fashionable mega-hopped craft beer. I also note a couple of times CO2 is released in a sort of rush as I swallow; session this and it could be a 'stormy' night.
O- I had pretty low expectations of this but it's better than I expected. It would work better if it were high summer rather than December. Would I buy it again, not in London because a 330ml can was £1.95. In South Africa, yes, if I wanted something unchallenging and to be refreshed.
BB: 26/12/18. Bought from theSavanna, a SAFr speciality shop in Paddington Station, London UK

- As usual when I try a new beer, I write my review before reading any others here. Same applies to this one.
Dec 07, 2018
Photo of Mclusal
Rated by Mclusal from Colombia

2.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
Z02
Nov 03, 2018
 
Rated: 2.34 by aasher from Indiana

Dec 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.42 by Squire from Mississippi

May 22, 2016
 
Rated: 3.17 by DaftCaskBC from Canada (BC)

Apr 24, 2016
 
Rated: 2.92 by 22Blue from Kansas

Mar 01, 2016
Photo of sholland119
Rated by sholland119 from Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Almost certainly the best SABMiller product I have ever had. A very solid Bohemian Pils. Clean, good use of Saaz hops, refreshing.
Jun 05, 2015
 
Rated: 2.84 by KeithE from Illinois

Jan 17, 2015
Photo of nelsonsaigon
Reviewed by nelsonsaigon from Viet Nam

3.5/5  rDev +12.9%
Experienced in : near Krueger National Park
Appealing to me : taste (better than Castle Lite)
Less appealing to me : - - -

I am neutral on this beer.
Dec 07, 2014
 
Rated: 2.76 by BierBliss from New Hampshire

Nov 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Sergio_Pereira from Mozambique

Jul 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by touchmeimsac from Pennsylvania

Apr 28, 2014
Photo of Gerhardw
Reviewed by Gerhardw from South Africa

3.03/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
To my mind the best offering of the lot offered by SA Breweries in South Africa. However, really lacking in body and complexity to really compete with international beers, or even the local South Africa craft beers. I had a Hansa last night as a night cap, and although it was server ice cold and was quite refreshing, it still left me with a sense of "not quite there"
Apr 28, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by sd123 from Georgia

Apr 27, 2014
 
Rated: 2.25 by GarthT from Hong Kong

Apr 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by ColSanders123 from Georgia

Jan 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by FLBeerGuy from Florida

Jun 05, 2013
Hansa Pilsener from South African Breweries plc
Beer rating: 76 out of 100 with 29 ratings