Am I alone on Pilsners?

Jacks Abby...not something we get in Colorado. I've sampled a few offerings at Great American Beer Fest, and they were really good, and I know their reputation, so I would be more than willing to try an imperial pilsner by them.

Had a couple others though, and they were hot, awful, fusel-fueled messes, pretty much the exact opposite of what a pilsner should be.

 

No, you are not alone...

 

Last time I was in Bamberg (Christmas 2014), I was again surprised at just how dryly bitter many of the beers are. However, even if the IBUs are close(ish), that deep type of bitterness is quite different from what I perceive as Prima's sharp hoppiness in both palate and aroma. Really I'd never compare Prima with German pilsners, as they are just so different.

 

and they make a good pilsner. I love that brewery.

 

One of the fun things about Pilsner is that (like IPAs here in the states) there are flavor profiles that change with the geography. Even within different countries. While it might be an oversimplification, the further north you go - the drier they get. As you head south, the malt profile shines more and more.

 

Even in Ireland, Murphy's is a bit better and O'Hara's is quite a bit better. Guinness is fine though. Solid beer for the style and I'll get one when the mood strikes me (or everything else on tap stinks).

 

"Even in Ireland"? You're not buying into the oldest beer myth in the world, are you? That the Guinness is better in Ireland?

 

Pilsners are not one of my favorite styles, but I appreciate them for what they are. There are some fine examples of pilsners out there..

 

What about the oft-forgotten Spezial and Export styles?

 

This.

I'll be buried with a bottle of Pilsner Urquell. If not, my homies better pour one out for me.

 

My favorite North German Pilsner is Jever; that beer is bone dry and a supreme joy to drink.

Cheers!

 

German Pils is my favorite style.

 

had an Alpirsbacher Pils today.
great stuff.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2629/7464/

 

Pilsner Urquell around 1992 was my gateway to "better beer" that led me to try Guinness Stout, Sam Adams beers (Boston lager, Boston Ale, and Honey Porter) and then on to local brewpubs and homebrewing. My older brother asked a coworker what were the best beers available and he suggested PU and Moretti. So we bought some and discovered new flavors and a misguided appreciation for "skunk". Remember this was back before the boom and in Arkansas.

PU is not what it used to be but it still has that special spicy twang.

 

I just got back from 9 days in the Czech Republic--they serve tank Pilser Urquell (No CO2) that is unfiltered and not pasturized and is five days or less from the brewery. It is pillowy soft and it will buckle your knees and make you cry MaMa with the first sip. 10 times superior to the bottles and barrels you get in the US--but the stateside PU is still solid compared to what else is available in the US.

 

Truly the King of Beers !

 

Now that the weather is warming up, I have started to drift back towards pilsners, my favorite summer style. I will mix in an APA and a session IPA, but my regular summer jam is definitely a crisp clean pils. My faves...

FW Pivo
Victory Prima
SN Nooner (great newcomer!)
Lagunitas Pils
GLakes The Wright Pils
Stoudts Pils
Foothills Torch
Pilsner Urquell*

*I love this beer on draft... The noble hop flavor is unparalleled... But, buying it in a bottle is pretty much Russian roulette. Green glass bums me out.

 

Fair enough. Have you ever had Brooklyn's on nitro for comparison? I often wonder what Guinness Draught would taste like on CO2.....which brings me to my next point...

My dream is to try Guinness Draught (not the Extra) side by side on nitro, CO2, and cask....but I imagine that will NEVER happen.

 

All new bottles are brown...at least in my local market.

 

only like a pils if its skunked to hell... Einbecker Pils, Golden Pheasant ect.