Good German lagers the world doesn't hear about

I think I did the "on site testing" for myself-I believe you can trust me

Well, what more can I think of- I think a basic thing is the "culture" around Pils.
In many, many parts of germany, Pils is the default beer- most of the time, when you simply ask for a "Bier",this is what you get- Not everywhere though, and also not everywhere where good Pils is made.
That is why I said it is somehow ironical that I would say Bamberg is the best town for Pils. While many breweries there make one, it isn't really their core product. When going to Fässla, Mahrs or Klosterbräu and asking for a "Bier", you usually won't be served Pils. Or heck, even try ordering a Pils at Augustinerkeller Munich(yes they make one and it is excellent)...I think that is the thing, that throughout bavaria, Pils is more of a niche product, and Helles is the default beer. Though aigan franconia is kind of an exception, because Pils there is more popular than in the rest of bavaria.

You also see huge differences in the way it is served though. Tulips with 0,3l or sometimes even less are common throughout the country, and every bigger brewery tries to distinguish itself with an unique design etc.
But in franconia (outside of bigger Breweries like Kulmbacher or Maisel Bayreuth) you will get your pils in the typical half litre Seidla or Willybecher, or sometimes even in a Stein...just like in the czech republic, were pale,hoppy lagers are also usually served in half litre mugs.

 

I do trust, but you know what some say, "Trust but verify." Sometimes on site research requires independent verification...

 

Tulips are classical pilsner glass form, (practically) no beer is served in less than 0.5 liter south of Ascaffenburg so the Siedla/0.5 Willibecher is default glass of southern Germany.

You have to remember at the pilsner boom (80's) the folks like Bit & Warsteiner were going for image, so an elegant glass was part of the gig. It wasn't until the late 90's that I ever really saw pilsners in Bavaria (not including the island of Bamberg) - a "beer" was always a helles.

 

On my first trip to Munich in the early 90s we were drinking Pilsner everywhere. My friend had served 3 years in Germany in the Air Force and told me "It's what all the Germans drink."

Well, even with so much Pils available, I started to notice just about every German I saw was drinking Helles, so I switched quickly. Nevertheless, my first few beers in Munich were Pilsners.

 

Interestring....
I personally am too young to really talk about the ninties. Though for whatever reason, I remeber DAB Pils being served at Pützchens Markt at that time(a big fair close to Bonn) when my uncle took me- you will basically only find Kölsch their today, maybe a few bavarian beers. But no Dortmunder Pils anymore
Dortmund beer, specifically Export, has a sad history of decline which is kind of linked to the Pils boom. I mean, the attempts to stay relevant are still seen with beers like "Brinkhoff's No. 1" and "First Pils".
Maybe now they should try to market and focus on Export again?I mean, Exports market share is on the rise...

 

Some lists for good beer are here: http://aktiongutesbier.de/

My favourite for easy drinking on hot summer days was this 4.5% only lager:


For the coming winter, Doppelbock will be my favourite style one more time: Maximator, Operator, Kneitinger, Quirinus and some Weihnachtsbock.
And, for a different taste, one of the rare pale Doppelbocks like this from Staffelberg:

 

If I remember correctly, Pils is the best selling beer for both Fässla and Keesman. They are also the two largest breweries after Kaiserdom.