Midwest Pilsners

I would have said Metropolitan Flywheel pilsner, but sigh.

I'm a big fan of Art History Bauhaus (from memory, I think it's a little lighter bodied than NG). All Art History's lagers are great.

Goldfinger makes great pilsners too.

Riverlands Kayak Pils is also good.

Dovetail puts a German "pils" in distribution. It's good, but I like the Czech "pilsner" (seasonal) better.

Pipeworks Premium Pilsner is pretty solid too.

 

Don't know if you can get Riggs in your area (I know they can be found a little bit out side of Urbana/Champaign, but not sure how far). Their Pilsner is great IMO, but that also might be a seasonal, so again don't know on availability. From the same area, Triptych is making some really great Pilsner and lagers in general as well.

 

Heard Art History just hit Tavour too

 

FWIW I can get Riggs bets in Algonquin, and I concur that it's good.

 

i think that lake louie's wisconsin vacation pilsner (used to be WI brewing's beer) is one of the best i've had. while it leans more decoction-fwd and less hoppy up front, it's extremely enjoyable and def up there with the top in WI. i apologize if this is well known WELL DUH but i'm only a frequent visitor not a resident 8)

 

Roaring Table will forever be my go-to for German-styles, and their current Pils is nice and (traditionally) hoppy.

But I have to say, Goose Island's Full Pocket isn't a bad take on the style. I can't rank it above Trumer or SN Summerfest in my rating, but it's definitely worth a try.

 

Schells No Frills Pills is pretty darn good I must say.....I also like the Working Draft rotation of pils they put out.

 

Half Acre is brewing Bauhaus and it's excellent IMO.

 

Isn't that Art History?
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/59886/516853/

 

Contract brewed likely. Is HA brewing all Bauhaus? Some? I've no idea. Maybe someone else has this info.

 

Correct, contracted at Half Acre along with a few other brands that hit distro.

 

Interesting. How long have they been brewing the AH beers?

*Edit -- I see @Jaycase 's 2025 post.

 

Did New Glarus stop making theirs? If you're near the border of WI, it's probably just worth crossing the border and hitting the first gas station to stock up. The New Glarus one is one of my absolute favorites, so I'm picking up what you're putting down. We have a bunch of good ones in MN, but I doubt any of those make it down to Illinois.

 

Sadly, they stopped as of ~Dec of last year. It was announced as a year round beer but they they posted in December that whatever is "in the market will be the last for a little bit." Stay tuned I guess. I heartily recommend it as well.

 

@DoppleDork Where are you located? The Great Lakes forum always trends towards Chicago, but there's a lot of good beer in the Midwest.

If you ever go through Cleveland, Noble Beast is making some of the best lagers (and beer in general) in the country, IMO. Union Pils is phenomenal.

 

with NG Pils not available at this time, I'm putting NG Two Women in the mix. In this heat I prefer the pils. I haven't had Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold for a few years maybe I need to revisit it. There are some good ones locally, that you maybe can't get, like Fair State Pils. I need to get this one again.

 

I liked it quite a bit. If you like Italian style pilsners I'd say you should give it a try.