Pilsners and such

Right, but the Beeradvocate scale for rating beer is the same. It's 1 - 5.

Isn't it true then that the users on this website are under rating a style such as a Pilsner?

I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious.

 

Well, we finally got Victory distribution here in CA and I was dying to try Prima @JackHorzempa . Beer best by May 21 2016.

There are some really solid elements going on here (soft water, Weyermann pilsner malt, noble aroma) but I think the part of this beer that stands out the most to me are the flavor hops. The beer is mildly hoppy while the bitter on my palate are not offensive, but rather quite pleasant. This is very different from Jever or Flensburger, which are much crisper IMO, but this is definitely a well-brewed beer and I now understand the hype/chatter about Victory Prima Pils.

 

Understood. It's all good.

Yes the numerical values on the rating scale in both cases are 1-5 but from the perspective of rating behavior and several other factors that doesn't guarantee that those who rate IPAs and those who rate Pils beers are using the numerical values in the same way or even using the same part of the scales to mean the same thing, even when it is the same person doing the rating in both cases. So the meaning of a 4 on one scale isn't necessarily the same as the meaning of a 4 on the other scale.

There are several reasons other than the beers themselves why the overall average ratings and highs and lows might be different (e.g., remember we're talking about untrained reviewers and potentially different groups of rater/reviewers, none of whom has been trained in the use of the measuring instrument--a rating scale--or how to make the judgments). Since there is no statistical correction applied to ensure equivalence of numerical values it is not safe to assume they are or that the numerical value means the same thing in both cases. Bottom line, the only really meaningful comparisons are between beers within the same style.

As for pushing this much further, unfortunately this isn't the place for an essay and/or dialog about the nitty-gritty of statistical measurement and statistical analysis, etc.

 

Steamworks pilsner is really good and metropolitan makes great lagers not sure about their distro outside chicago though

 

When I lived in Germany, I brought back a couple of Alpha Kings. My wife wanted a hoppy beer, and she said it was too one note bitter and hoppy. The second bottle went to a German friend, he just said it was "interesting ", with a stone faced expression when we asked. This was 98 timeframe, so what would he think about the beers on the market now?

 

If he's like my German or Austrian friends and acquaintances he'd probably refuse a second sip of most of them because of the intense bitterness. :-)

 

We were in parts of Bavaria last November and December for 3 weeks. It was wonderful. I came back, pulled a pint of IPA that I had Homebrewed, and it was so abrasive I almost spit it out. Before the trip it was a favorite.

 

Its the natural evolution of a craft beer drinker.

First you start your journey off with the macro-beers. Then you have to go extreme for a while with the micro-brews. Finally you realize some things and come back to plain pilsners, although not necessarily macro, because you eventually grow up.

Its a matter of maturity, IMO. The beer I stock and drink the most of these days is the Victory Prima Pils. Just a plain, good, versatile pilsner. Very refreshing, works with any occasion, and won't get me hammered or put me to sleep.

Because of the unfortunately astronomical levels of snobbery involved with craft beer fans the pilsner will never get the love in the craft community that some barrel aged stout will. But it is the most popular style of beer for a very, very good reason.

 

I agree with that sentiment except that I would use the term "BA" vs. "craft". The craft beer community is much larger than we BAs and lots of folks in the broader craft community do enjoy drinking non-extreme beers like Sam Adams Boston Lager, New Belgium Fat Tire, etc.

Cheers!

 

Drank this last night and while I'm not a fan of pilsners year round (they're great in the summer) this was so so so good. Reminded me of beers I've had in Europe

 

Not sure I'm 100% down with this (AAL? Light AALs?), but I have had a decent number of pilseners over the years and have yet to find one I liked. They just don't do anything for me. I would prefer almost any other style of beer over a pilsener.

 

Kölsch? Helles?