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Sunshine Pils
Tröegs Brewing Company
- From:
- Tröegs Brewing Company
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Style:
- German Pilsner
Ranked #287 - ABV:
- 4.5%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #21,558 - Avg:
- 3.76 | pDev: 11.97%
- Reviews:
- 667
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 03, 2024
- Added:
- Jul 23, 2002
- Wants:
- 57
- Gots:
- 308
Like the rising sun, Sunshine Pils delivers winter, spring, summer and fall. This deceptive complex pilsner is all about the tightrope walk of two-row barley, zesty Saaz hops and lager yeast. It's a go-to when the sun is shining, and it makes us happy when skies are gray.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Groomsy:
Reviewed by Groomsy from Kentucky
4.12/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz. bottle to pilsner glass. Bottling date is smudged, but it was bottled sometime in late March, it appears. Single purchased for $2.09.
Appearance: The body was a totally translucent bright straw/golden color, probably one of the brightest pilsners I've seen. It's topped by quickly fading two-finger head of pillowy foam, which turns into a persistent cap of foam, leaving behind loose and stringy lacing - probably some of the best I've seen for the style. Lively carbonation bubbles race from the bottom of the glass. This looks like an inviting beer and perfectly matches summer.
Smell: Very bold for a pilsner, but still within the style. I noticed the bready and grainy notes of the pils malt out front, but there was also a penetrating note of citrus, particularly lemon. There are also some concentrated notes of spicy and floral hops, per the style. (Saaz, maybe?) Powerful nose on this one, and very well done. The citrus notes grow more as the beer warms, but through and through, this smells like a German pils on steroids, with the hops taking the forefront; the malts seem to be there for backing the hops.
Taste: Big bite from the lemon/citrus out front, but it doesn't collide with the other flavors; it's very well done and balances well with the spicy and floral hop flavors, which are the next wash of flavors on the middle of the palate. The finish rounds out with some bread and grainy malts as well as some emerging herbal flavors, once again the hops taking the lead. A more hoppy pilsner, perfect for hot summer days and for those looking for some kicki in their lagers.
Mouthfeel: Dead on for a pilsner, and especially great for a summer beer. Clean, crisp, and dry in the finish with a light body and medium carbonation. Some grassy notes linger on the back of the palate.
Overall: Fantastic summer beer. Hunt it down. And if you don't like pilsners now, this is one that will probably change your mind. A great thirst quencher and just an all around good brew, better than some of the American pilsners I've tried.
May 27, 2011Appearance: The body was a totally translucent bright straw/golden color, probably one of the brightest pilsners I've seen. It's topped by quickly fading two-finger head of pillowy foam, which turns into a persistent cap of foam, leaving behind loose and stringy lacing - probably some of the best I've seen for the style. Lively carbonation bubbles race from the bottom of the glass. This looks like an inviting beer and perfectly matches summer.
Smell: Very bold for a pilsner, but still within the style. I noticed the bready and grainy notes of the pils malt out front, but there was also a penetrating note of citrus, particularly lemon. There are also some concentrated notes of spicy and floral hops, per the style. (Saaz, maybe?) Powerful nose on this one, and very well done. The citrus notes grow more as the beer warms, but through and through, this smells like a German pils on steroids, with the hops taking the forefront; the malts seem to be there for backing the hops.
Taste: Big bite from the lemon/citrus out front, but it doesn't collide with the other flavors; it's very well done and balances well with the spicy and floral hop flavors, which are the next wash of flavors on the middle of the palate. The finish rounds out with some bread and grainy malts as well as some emerging herbal flavors, once again the hops taking the lead. A more hoppy pilsner, perfect for hot summer days and for those looking for some kicki in their lagers.
Mouthfeel: Dead on for a pilsner, and especially great for a summer beer. Clean, crisp, and dry in the finish with a light body and medium carbonation. Some grassy notes linger on the back of the palate.
Overall: Fantastic summer beer. Hunt it down. And if you don't like pilsners now, this is one that will probably change your mind. A great thirst quencher and just an all around good brew, better than some of the American pilsners I've tried.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by mikeinportc from New York
4.15/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From the spring 12pk mix. BB date : 05/16/2024.
Clear light yellow, with 1/2 finger of white head, that leaves a 1/8" ring , and a few spots of surface sheeting.
Smell is light, slightly sweet/floral toasted grain, and light hop spiciness. I like it, just not a lot of it there.
Taste is similar to aroma, but less sweet, and with the herbal,floral, and spicy hop flavors more noticeable. Moderate lingering bitterness. Slight bread crust , and light herbal tang linger for awhile after finish.
Feel is light , but not watery, with moderate, very,very fine , medium-sharp carbonation bite/tingle throughout . Lingering drying feel after finish, that leaves the tip of the tongue feeling a bit sanded-off.
Overall, a nice, anytime beer. I see that many reviews* take off for the greater dryness, and bitterness , compared to most pils. I like it better because of those qualities. My dissatisfaction with most AALs , & some other pils & alleged pils, is because of their sweetness &/or lack of bitterness &/or overly sickly-sweet aroma. This is a good antidote to those.
* I've had this many times, so not cheating, just curious. ;)
Mar 03, 2024Clear light yellow, with 1/2 finger of white head, that leaves a 1/8" ring , and a few spots of surface sheeting.
Smell is light, slightly sweet/floral toasted grain, and light hop spiciness. I like it, just not a lot of it there.
Taste is similar to aroma, but less sweet, and with the herbal,floral, and spicy hop flavors more noticeable. Moderate lingering bitterness. Slight bread crust , and light herbal tang linger for awhile after finish.
Feel is light , but not watery, with moderate, very,very fine , medium-sharp carbonation bite/tingle throughout . Lingering drying feel after finish, that leaves the tip of the tongue feeling a bit sanded-off.
Overall, a nice, anytime beer. I see that many reviews* take off for the greater dryness, and bitterness , compared to most pils. I like it better because of those qualities. My dissatisfaction with most AALs , & some other pils & alleged pils, is because of their sweetness &/or lack of bitterness &/or overly sickly-sweet aroma. This is a good antidote to those.
* I've had this many times, so not cheating, just curious. ;)
Reviewed by Tomx from New York
4.29/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Overall a very good pils with a tiny bit of funk and a nice hoppy bite, nothing to offend. Good summer beer. Lacks some of the depth of the heavy hitters but thoroughly enjoyable.
Jul 30, 2023Reviewed by cjgiant from District of Columbia
3.68/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.68/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap:
Perfectly clear, pale yellow but with a thin yet persistent cloud the leaves a white sheet on the glass. Ose is more light grainy to crackery than bready, with a hint of lemon zest lying in cut grass. Taste is bitter-forward with a reedy grass bitterness. This leads to a bit of an imbalance to the bitter side, which isn’t a killer for me, but isn’t ideal, either.
Jun 10, 2023Perfectly clear, pale yellow but with a thin yet persistent cloud the leaves a white sheet on the glass. Ose is more light grainy to crackery than bready, with a hint of lemon zest lying in cut grass. Taste is bitter-forward with a reedy grass bitterness. This leads to a bit of an imbalance to the bitter side, which isn’t a killer for me, but isn’t ideal, either.
Rated by Jule17 from Ohio
3.13/5 rDev -16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.13/5 rDev -16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
So so bitter but not bad
Jun 10, 2023Reviewed by jonphisher from New Jersey
4.03/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.03/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pale in color; mostly clear but there is an opacity to it, head is white, somewhat soapy and craggly; average retention and no lacing.
The nose is bright; light bread notes, dry grass or hay, there is a brightness to the nose, zesty.
The taste has a nice pale malt backbone, not overpowering; dry grass that leads to some light herbal presence on the finish and aftertaste; hops have a nice spicy bite.
Light body, but so far from thin or water; pleasant lively yet smooth carbonation. This beer dries out really nicely on the finish, it also has a great bitter bite on the finish.
Jun 09, 2023The nose is bright; light bread notes, dry grass or hay, there is a brightness to the nose, zesty.
The taste has a nice pale malt backbone, not overpowering; dry grass that leads to some light herbal presence on the finish and aftertaste; hops have a nice spicy bite.
Light body, but so far from thin or water; pleasant lively yet smooth carbonation. This beer dries out really nicely on the finish, it also has a great bitter bite on the finish.
Rated by Manta200 from Kentucky
3.99/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
At the Jungle Jim's tasting bar
Apr 30, 2023Reviewed by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
3.81/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
It certainly has the classic Pilsner look, delivered in a clear pint glass after being drawn from a tap. It's bright and light golden-amber that's nearly translucent. There's a very modest white head. This one seems a little less aromatic than many of its style. Usually there's a malt and hop combination that makes them rather identifiable to the nose. But, even America's fine Pilsners, like Miller Lite provide more to smell. There's some of it, but not as much as expected. The taste is good with the Pilsner hopping bitterness, but it has a little too much yeast and for some reason, the malt taste inclusion and mouthfeel are lacking. Again, not bad, just not above average. Some of the good Pilsners provide taste transitions, like a little nuttiness or biscuit sweetness up front, before turning hoppy. This has the same taste note at the end, as it was in the beginning. It's a Pilsner, so have a guess about the glass lacing.
Apr 17, 2023Reviewed by GlenFarclas from Connecticut
4.29/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Golden hued, straw colored. Great clarity.
Nose is spicy, floral, malty. Tannins. Very clean smelling.
The natural carbonation here does wonders. This is rounded and full-bodied. Mouthfeel carries the thing. Dry, clean, smidge of malt sugar leading into saaz herbal bitterness. Spice.
Finishes grassy and long (for a pale lager). Snappiness and sharp character carries a long way throughout here.
Apr 01, 2023Nose is spicy, floral, malty. Tannins. Very clean smelling.
The natural carbonation here does wonders. This is rounded and full-bodied. Mouthfeel carries the thing. Dry, clean, smidge of malt sugar leading into saaz herbal bitterness. Spice.
Finishes grassy and long (for a pale lager). Snappiness and sharp character carries a long way throughout here.
Reviewed by BFCarr from New Jersey
4.07/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.07/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A very tasty and light brew. Pours gold with a thick white head. Aroma is that grassy pilsner smell and inviting. Taste is a touch of bitterness but overwhelming sweet (in a good way). Feel is excellent crisp and clean. Overall, delicious.
Nov 05, 2022Reviewed by AlfromPA from Colorado
4.1/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A very nice, crisp and clean pilsener; its obvious competition is Victory's Prima Pils, which is a tad hoppier. Still the hop bike is there. My go-to beer when I want a craft pilsener. The only problem is that lately it has either disappeared from shelves or it is out of date.
Oct 31, 2022Reviewed by moodenba from New York
3.35/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.35/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Troegs Sunshine Pils on draft in October, 2022. This is a fairly good pilsener style beer. I'd say it's not successful as a German or Czechs pilsener. On the other hand it could be viewed as a good American adjunct lager AAL. By the end of the glass I was thinking it was pretty good. There seems to be a craft beer fad where "pilseners" taste pretty much lide AALs. The recent reformulation of Brooklyn Pilsner also tastes to me like an OK AAL
Oct 21, 2022
Sunshine Pils from Tröegs Brewing Company
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
1780 ratings
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