Favorite Traditional Pilsener

Whoops.

I tend to avoid imports just because they're almost never dated and I don't know how long they've been hanging around. Which, I know, still doesn't respond to the OP's question.

 

"Almost never dated" ? Many of the imports I see on the shelves are dated - almost* all of the ones mentioned in this thread and the similar topic Jever thread are, otherwise I'd have never bought them.

(* "Almost" only because there may be some I've never looked at).

 

I switch back and forth between bittburger and jever. I do prefer the german style over the czech style a tiny bit. SLy fox pikeland pils is very good. Wurzburger hoffbrau recently hit the shelf and I really like it too. Sunshine & Prima pils as well.

 

Rothaus Pils Tannen Zapfle

 

Weihenstephaner is exquisite

 

Does anyone know what the freshness window is on Pilsner Urquell? The 4-packs of pint cans I see all have "best-buy" dates on them, but I was curious as to how old they are. The most recent ones I've seen expire in mid-November.

 

Dinkel Aker

 

Pilsner Urquell utilizes a best by timeframe of 9 months.

Cheers!

P.S. The bottle of Pilsner Urquell in my refrigerator has a best by date of Dec. 24, 2015.

 

9 months.

 

My two favorite non-American German Pils are Bitburger and Weihenstephaner, with the latter being nearly untouchable IMO.

 

I tend to buy Bitburger in cans. I know its not the greatest pilsner available to me, but it always seems to be the freshest (of imported) - and the price is right (4.99 for 4 16 oz cans). Domestic, I rarely stray from Prima, but will occasionally buy Scrimshaw if it is available (which is not often).

 

Besides Urquell and Weihenstephan, I'd like to add Konrad, if you can get them. And as the guy said before me, you can't go wrong with a dirt cheap Bitburger 4 pack

 

For imports, your best bet is trying to find these on tap locally, better shot of them being fresh. Then, of those you like, try to find them within a reasonable freshness date at your local liquor store (personally if it's past 3 - 4 months, I pass on it, the imports are too expensive to buy older than that, just an arbitrary personal cut-off point).

Some of these have been mentioned, but I feel these fit the profile of "traditional" well (whatever that means in today's world of beer). They also give you a solid range of characteristics.

Rothaus Tannenzapfle
Weihenstephan Pilsner
Lammsbrau Organic Pilsner
Wurzburger Premium Pilsner
EKU Pils
Kulmbacher Edelherb Pilsner

I've seen each of these on tap in Boston at various times, and fresh (enough) at the liquor store over the years.

Prost!

 

Would have to go with Pilsner Urquell and SandLot (AC Golden) Barmen.

 

I recently had Störtebeker Pilsner which I rather enjoyed.

 

I forgot one!
Marten's Pils. Comes in a 16oz 4pk at my store. Really nice and a Belgian Pilsner.

 

Surprised it hasnt come up, but Warsteiner.
Maybe its not that good. I love it though.

 

Dear God,you are Soooooo Right about that ..In Fact it's "Blecks!" -I had not had a Becks in quite some time, and picked up a 6er a few weeks ago,Could not Believe how Lame it was,Becks used to be a very Nice Brew,decent Hop Profile,Crisp and really Refreshing,Now it has No Hop flavor @ all,what a shame,Used to be a Gr8 Brew.

 

I drink it. It's dirt cheap in NY. I'm not keen on the fact that they use hop oil, but the price is right

 

I like a Trumer Pils every now and then. Perfect for watching a game, when drinking 5 imperial IPA will get you hammered. And the glass is pretty cool too.