Lagunitas PILS (Czech Style Pilsner) | Lagunitas Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Lagunitas Brewing Company
California, United States
lagunitas.com
Style: Czech Pilsener
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.20%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Our only Lager, brewed with loads of imported Saaz hops and a bottom-fermenting yeast strain that leaves it Light and Crisp and Easy to Slam, yet full of real flavor and all the things you yearn for.
Added by beertaster13 on 02-17-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 2,599 | Reviews: 753
Reviews by deanhead:
More User Reviews:
4/5 rDev +9.9%
Poured into a canned shape glass because I don't have a pils glass. Fail.
The body is a beautiful transparent golden color. Trickles of carbonation are visible. The head is foamy, pale white and full of bubbly suds and lace. 4.25
A pungent yet earthy hop aroma hits the nose. There's biscuity malt, cracker, and floralness. 4
Sweet and bread-like initially, then a burst of zesty, floral hops make an entrance. Straightforward and good.
4
Sweet like I mentioned, with a medium-body and average carbonation. It's pleasant to drink. The finish is bitter in a tame and non-offensive way. 3.75
This is a good easy-drinker. Seems pretty true to style. I could drink a sixer of this on a summer day easy. 4.0
708 characters
Poured into a canned shape glass because I don't have a pils glass. Fail.
The body is a beautiful transparent golden color. Trickles of carbonation are visible. The head is foamy, pale white and full of bubbly suds and lace. 4.25
A pungent yet earthy hop aroma hits the nose. There's biscuity malt, cracker, and floralness. 4
Sweet and bread-like initially, then a burst of zesty, floral hops make an entrance. Straightforward and good.
4
Sweet like I mentioned, with a medium-body and average carbonation. It's pleasant to drink. The finish is bitter in a tame and non-offensive way. 3.75
This is a good easy-drinker. Seems pretty true to style. I could drink a sixer of this on a summer day easy. 4.0
708 characters
3.7/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Trust Lagunitas to nail the Pilsner style. Doughy, bready malts with an all to dominate Pilsner malt aroma. The flavor is fuller than most in this style with a grainy, malty texture, and great dry Pilsner malt taste. The feel is very crisp and Light but it has that fullness than you don't find in many lagers. Lagunitas keeps doing right!
339 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Trust Lagunitas to nail the Pilsner style. Doughy, bready malts with an all to dominate Pilsner malt aroma. The flavor is fuller than most in this style with a grainy, malty texture, and great dry Pilsner malt taste. The feel is very crisp and Light but it has that fullness than you don't find in many lagers. Lagunitas keeps doing right!
339 characters
4.18/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Lagunitas PILS has a very thick, white head, heavy lacing left behind, and a mostly clear, gold appearance, with powdery sediment, throughout, and a few lazy, ascending bubbles. Aroma is of yeasty biscuit, and the flavor is of those two elements, riding alongside fairly bitter, grassy hops. Mouthfeel is medium, and Lagunitas PILS finishes crisp and refreshing.
RJT
368 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Lagunitas PILS has a very thick, white head, heavy lacing left behind, and a mostly clear, gold appearance, with powdery sediment, throughout, and a few lazy, ascending bubbles. Aroma is of yeasty biscuit, and the flavor is of those two elements, riding alongside fairly bitter, grassy hops. Mouthfeel is medium, and Lagunitas PILS finishes crisp and refreshing.
RJT
368 characters
3/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This is, you know... beer. Beer the way you remember it if you haven't had beer in quite a while. As in, decently refreshing, but nothing memorable. Maybe it tastes better than Bud, etc. I'm not sure. If it does, it's not saying much.
There's nothing bad about this beer. Nothing off-putting. It's perfectly acceptable. And perfectly boring.
For people who really do relish lagers, this might be a real find. For most everyone else, this will rate somewhere around "meh" on the scale.
486 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This is, you know... beer. Beer the way you remember it if you haven't had beer in quite a while. As in, decently refreshing, but nothing memorable. Maybe it tastes better than Bud, etc. I'm not sure. If it does, it's not saying much.
There's nothing bad about this beer. Nothing off-putting. It's perfectly acceptable. And perfectly boring.
For people who really do relish lagers, this might be a real find. For most everyone else, this will rate somewhere around "meh" on the scale.
486 characters
4.39/5 rDev +20.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
This is my new favorite pilsner. I could drink this all the time. Light and still 6% abv. Czech please!
103 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
This is my new favorite pilsner. I could drink this all the time. Light and still 6% abv. Czech please!
103 characters
4.01/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Definitely one I should have reviewed a good decade ago. Pours a big bubbled, slow receding white head. Plenty of visible carbonation atop a straw golden hue. Nose is bright golden malt and spicy hops.
Flavor fits the style well, with light but flavorful hops following light malts. Not complex, but interesting enough. Nice for the solid, although the texture is overly tight due to carbonation. Not among the very best of the style but nothing to sneeze at, especially in warm weather.
494 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Definitely one I should have reviewed a good decade ago. Pours a big bubbled, slow receding white head. Plenty of visible carbonation atop a straw golden hue. Nose is bright golden malt and spicy hops.
Flavor fits the style well, with light but flavorful hops following light malts. Not complex, but interesting enough. Nice for the solid, although the texture is overly tight due to carbonation. Not among the very best of the style but nothing to sneeze at, especially in warm weather.
494 characters
1.46/5 rDev -59.9%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Source/Serving: 12oz bottle
S: Not very intense. Mostly blandly sweet cereal grains with a light wiff of mossy hops and minerals.
T: Fairly sweet and flabby. Quite sweet, bland cereal grain character. Hops are a bit herbal, but have a dank, dark character. Bitterness shows up late to the party and doesn't really balance the sweetness, leaving this pils flabby. When the bitterness does show up its far from crisp, not very intense, yet is still rough and unpleasant. Finish has a hop character that is mossy, dark, and unpleasant. Mouthfeel is fairly thick and drinkability on this is very low.
Note: A dud from a brewer I enjoy very much.
644 characters
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Source/Serving: 12oz bottle
S: Not very intense. Mostly blandly sweet cereal grains with a light wiff of mossy hops and minerals.
T: Fairly sweet and flabby. Quite sweet, bland cereal grain character. Hops are a bit herbal, but have a dank, dark character. Bitterness shows up late to the party and doesn't really balance the sweetness, leaving this pils flabby. When the bitterness does show up its far from crisp, not very intense, yet is still rough and unpleasant. Finish has a hop character that is mossy, dark, and unpleasant. Mouthfeel is fairly thick and drinkability on this is very low.
Note: A dud from a brewer I enjoy very much.
644 characters
4.23/5 rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Well, I've been searching for a pilsner close to those I had in Prague. The hops present this lager with a nice crisp feel and spicy taste, one thing that keeps me on ales. I'm not a malt head, and don't like the lingering effects of most lagers.
A bright, clear persimmon color with a moderate head. Could look better, but it's just fine.
Clove, coriander, and lemon zest hint in the nose. Fresh. Green grass, possibly.
Taste is great. Hops balance this beer well, maybe too much for a true pilsner, but I like it. Feels great, tingly, crisp.
Gonna have to have more of this. A step shy of the Prague beers, but very good nonetheless
637 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Well, I've been searching for a pilsner close to those I had in Prague. The hops present this lager with a nice crisp feel and spicy taste, one thing that keeps me on ales. I'm not a malt head, and don't like the lingering effects of most lagers.
A bright, clear persimmon color with a moderate head. Could look better, but it's just fine.
Clove, coriander, and lemon zest hint in the nose. Fresh. Green grass, possibly.
Taste is great. Hops balance this beer well, maybe too much for a true pilsner, but I like it. Feels great, tingly, crisp.
Gonna have to have more of this. A step shy of the Prague beers, but very good nonetheless
637 characters
1.71/5 rDev -53%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Bottle at the Mundelein beer tasting. Clear and yellow with a thin head and brisk carbonation. The smell is super-light-- maybe some light malts, but no Saaz (or any other) hops.
Someone put a Michelob in my pilsner bottle.
Tastes like an all-malt pale lager, and not a very good one. There is no Czech pilsner character at all.
Mouthfeel is thin and highly carbonated. Drinks like a macro.
Not a great style example and not a great beer.
452 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Bottle at the Mundelein beer tasting. Clear and yellow with a thin head and brisk carbonation. The smell is super-light-- maybe some light malts, but no Saaz (or any other) hops.
Someone put a Michelob in my pilsner bottle.
Tastes like an all-malt pale lager, and not a very good one. There is no Czech pilsner character at all.
Mouthfeel is thin and highly carbonated. Drinks like a macro.
Not a great style example and not a great beer.
452 characters
3.41/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
On draft and in a pint glass
L - a lovely yellow straw color. a very clear beer. little lacing on the sides of the glass. no head retention.
S - the malts and the lager yeast are very prominent. slight Saaz hop aroma. has a pleasant smell
T - light carbonation. tastes much lighter then 6.5%. spiciness from the hops floods my taste buds from the beginning.
F - medium body. the Saaz hops dont overwhelm the malt. very balanced and very clean
O - a pretty simple, clean pilsner. i really enjoy pilsner lagers. easy to drink and looks really nice in a shaker pint or nonick glass. recommended if you are looking for a nice easy brew to put back
648 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
On draft and in a pint glass
L - a lovely yellow straw color. a very clear beer. little lacing on the sides of the glass. no head retention.
S - the malts and the lager yeast are very prominent. slight Saaz hop aroma. has a pleasant smell
T - light carbonation. tastes much lighter then 6.5%. spiciness from the hops floods my taste buds from the beginning.
F - medium body. the Saaz hops dont overwhelm the malt. very balanced and very clean
O - a pretty simple, clean pilsner. i really enjoy pilsner lagers. easy to drink and looks really nice in a shaker pint or nonick glass. recommended if you are looking for a nice easy brew to put back
648 characters
3.91/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
BOD 111/14. Clear golden pour with exceptional head, lacing and retention. Nice nose of slightly sweet biscuit over hops that have notes of spice and tropical. Light medium body that manages to be almost slick in texture. While it appears to be well carbonated (bubbles), it fails to effervesce on the finish in a lively fashion, hence it is normal carbonation level. The flavor profile has some complexity and is well balanced, unfortunately it doesn't scream saaz hops. It begins with a slightly sweet spice that flows into mild bitterness. The middle has a tropical rind like citric note. The finish is biscuit with a low level lingering bitterness with notes of spice. Very good, but not quite outstanding.
710 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
BOD 111/14. Clear golden pour with exceptional head, lacing and retention. Nice nose of slightly sweet biscuit over hops that have notes of spice and tropical. Light medium body that manages to be almost slick in texture. While it appears to be well carbonated (bubbles), it fails to effervesce on the finish in a lively fashion, hence it is normal carbonation level. The flavor profile has some complexity and is well balanced, unfortunately it doesn't scream saaz hops. It begins with a slightly sweet spice that flows into mild bitterness. The middle has a tropical rind like citric note. The finish is biscuit with a low level lingering bitterness with notes of spice. Very good, but not quite outstanding.
710 characters
3.53/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On atap at the Pizza Plant on Main,poureda ligh sprtizy golden with a thinner white head seemed pretty heavily carbonated from the pour,muted aromas I picked up some toasty grain with some light residual sweetness.Decent sturdy flavors leaning on the malty side lightly sweet and grainy a light herbal sharpness in the finish but it doesnt really stand out.A nice quaffing pils pretty basic the light herbal finish makes it better than the standard lager beer but I wouldnt say its a premium Czech style by any means.
517 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On atap at the Pizza Plant on Main,poureda ligh sprtizy golden with a thinner white head seemed pretty heavily carbonated from the pour,muted aromas I picked up some toasty grain with some light residual sweetness.Decent sturdy flavors leaning on the malty side lightly sweet and grainy a light herbal sharpness in the finish but it doesnt really stand out.A nice quaffing pils pretty basic the light herbal finish makes it better than the standard lager beer but I wouldnt say its a premium Czech style by any means.
517 characters
3.44/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.59/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.7/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue VII:
Lagunitas is right--lagers deserve just as much respect as ales do (see their website).
Bright, shimmering, pale golden color with a perfect clarity, sturdy two fingers of head, and decent head retention. Spicy hop, cracker maltiness, mineral salt and a faint sulfur note in the aroma. Smooth moderate-bodied mouthfeel. A bite from the carbonation and hops brings a spicy, sharp bitterness to start. Grainy with a dried grass, bread crust and metallic or coin flavor. Small nugget of sweetness. Hint of lime rind and more dried grass middle to end. A touch of drying, puckering grain and faint herbal spicy hop in the finish.
Not bad at all, though a little rough around the edges for a lager; without a doubt, still quite tasty.
785 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue VII:
Lagunitas is right--lagers deserve just as much respect as ales do (see their website).
Bright, shimmering, pale golden color with a perfect clarity, sturdy two fingers of head, and decent head retention. Spicy hop, cracker maltiness, mineral salt and a faint sulfur note in the aroma. Smooth moderate-bodied mouthfeel. A bite from the carbonation and hops brings a spicy, sharp bitterness to start. Grainy with a dried grass, bread crust and metallic or coin flavor. Small nugget of sweetness. Hint of lime rind and more dried grass middle to end. A touch of drying, puckering grain and faint herbal spicy hop in the finish.
Not bad at all, though a little rough around the edges for a lager; without a doubt, still quite tasty.
785 characters
4.45/5 rDev +22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Finally a Pils that I like! This gem poured a little darker than most pils with a very faint orange tint to it. The head was nice and frothy and settled into a nice pillow of foam for the rest of the session. The smell is actually pretty malty sweet, with a hint of carmel malt and light grassy undertones. The taste blew me away! It had a nice dry saaz and citrus bite in the beginning along with a nice malt sweetnes in the bakground that lends a little bit of thickness to the body, and a nice flavorful finnish that left me wanting another drink. This is the session Pils for me! A must try!
595 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Finally a Pils that I like! This gem poured a little darker than most pils with a very faint orange tint to it. The head was nice and frothy and settled into a nice pillow of foam for the rest of the session. The smell is actually pretty malty sweet, with a hint of carmel malt and light grassy undertones. The taste blew me away! It had a nice dry saaz and citrus bite in the beginning along with a nice malt sweetnes in the bakground that lends a little bit of thickness to the body, and a nice flavorful finnish that left me wanting another drink. This is the session Pils for me! A must try!
595 characters
3.68/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.03/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 12oz bottle poured into a pilsner glass. Golden color, fairly thick white head that retained well, Good lacing.
Outdoorsy aroma: sweet, fresh grass.
Biscuity malt taste, some piney hops.
Not as crisp as expected, but still a nice Czech pils.
Very drinkable; had a few of these while watching college football. Very pleasant afternoon.
336 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 12oz bottle poured into a pilsner glass. Golden color, fairly thick white head that retained well, Good lacing.
Outdoorsy aroma: sweet, fresh grass.
Biscuity malt taste, some piney hops.
Not as crisp as expected, but still a nice Czech pils.
Very drinkable; had a few of these while watching college football. Very pleasant afternoon.
336 characters
Lagunitas PILS (Czech Style Pilsner) from Lagunitas Brewing Company
3.64
out of 5
based on 2,599 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Appearance- Light straw like in color with a rich, dense creamy head. Very inviting beer.
Smell- Flowery, almost perfumy smell, hints of lavender?
Taste- Crisp, and dry with a distinctive hop presence, that is not overpowering but really drives the hop flavor to the forefront.
Mothfeel- Nice carbonation, with medium body. smooth and a subtle almost breadlike quality.
Drinkability- This is a delicious beer, Appropriate on a hot summer day, or anytime you need your thirst quenched. Makes me want to brew up 10 gallons of the stuff right now.
548 characters