Pilsners!

Really? What city? As far as I know Rothaus does not make it to the US. I'd be happy to proven wrong though, because the Pils is one of my all-time favorite German beers.

 

Care to elaborate more on this distinction?

 

The Golbrau is the one that comes in the can

 

Yeah I have had it, they are definitely doing their best.

 

Without knowing how reliable the source is (but generally agreeing with what it says), I'll quote the German Beer Institute web site: "Many northern Pils varieties rely in a slightly zesty hop variety called Tettnanger for their up-front assertiveness, while Bavarian-made Pils varieties tend to be more subdued, because of their brewery's preference for Hallertauer, Hersbrucker and Spalter hops. The Bavarian interpretations of the Pils, therefore, are neither too assertive up-front nor too strongly aromatic in the finish. Instead, they have a gentle hop bouquet. In fact, hop bitterness in beer tends to increase the closer the beer is made to the Atlantic Ocean; it tends to decrease in favor of maltiness, the closer the beer is made to the Alps."

 

It doesn't. It is easy to find in Germany though.

 

I had a pils form the Spalter brewery that was pretty damn good.

 

Victory Prima Pils and OB's Mamma's...

 

Cross, did you ever get to try the New Glarus Bohemian Pils they brewed a few years back? That beer alone proves that Pilsner can be properly brewed in the US (never mind Trumer), I just wonder if it's too costly in time, attention, and materials.

 

radeberger on tap is crazy good

 

I could be wrong, but I thought for sure I saw it in WF's in Seattle.

 

I heartily agree re: Victory's Braumeister Pils! It's an excellent example of a German pilsner and much better than Prima, which is way overhopped for the style. Unfortunately, Prima's become the knee-jerk recommendation from hop heads who can't appreciate the classic pilsner style.

 

Southern Tier's Eurotrash Pilz, DFH's My Antonia, and Karl Strauss Whistler Pils were the first that came to mind. Agree with the others that if fresh Germans can be found that is the way to go.

 

Prima reminds me of what some of the German Pilsners were in the late 80's, when I first started going over there. Back then some were hopped to 50 IBUs. The average has been going down, and the max is now at 38 IBUs (read the German Pilsner article in the Oxford Companion to Beer). Was over there 2 weeks ago, and Jever is not what it was in 99 when I lived there, was 44 back then according to Michael Jackson, now I would place it at 38-ish, as it is still more bitter and dry than most.

Styles change.

 

My absolute favorite is Keesman Herren Pils, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't make it over here to the US. Augustiner Pils is pretty good, too.
For the more northern ones (I prefer the southern ones...shoot me), there's nothing wrong with Radeberger, Koenig, or even good 'ol Bit.
Domestically, the one from Dry Dock has been the best I've had thus far. New Glarus Edel-Pils used to be world-class, too. Yellow Kite from Bristol and Stoudt's Pils are also really good, but I haven't had them lately.

 

Yes the My Antonia is awesome, Sierra Nevada Summerfest is probably my favorite outside of My Antonia. Also Troegs Sunshine Pils is very good.

 

One the recent trip to Germany, the Ayinger pils was very good.

Of course fresh Pilsner Urquel and Budweiser Budvar (Czechvar) were also very good.

 

Lot's of talk about German Pilseners, but I tend to prefer Czech Pilseners (Noble Pils, Lagunitas Pils, Pilsener Urquell, Czechvar, Little Yella) over German Pilseners (Victory Prima, Scrimshaw, Stoutds Pils)

 

I had it, at the time it didn't wow me, but at the time I hadn't had a lot of pilseners.