Getting a bit frustrated with the local Pilsner varieties

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by KS_Augsburg, Mar 10, 2021.

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  1. KS_Augsburg

    KS_Augsburg Zealot (614) Jul 29, 2018 Illinois
    Trader

    My taste in Pilsner may be different from some other beer aficionados, but I prefer what I would describe as a herbal/floral/green/bitter flavor profile (rather than hoppy/fruity/acidic). With imports this style can easily be found (from Krombacher to Veltins to Bitburger, but also Weihenstephaner and Pilsner Urquell). With the regional offerings, I'm struggling a little. Many are very fruity in the hop department, don't have the toasted malt foundation that gives the subtle sweetness, they can even taste acidic in my opinion.

    What would be some of the regional (or at least: domestic) options for a classic style Pilsner with a more old-school use of hops?
     
    #1 KS_Augsburg, Mar 10, 2021
  2. Redrover

    Redrover Grand Pooh-Bah (3,676) Jan 18, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Have your tried the Metropolitan offerings? They would seem to fit the bill for your tastes.
     
    #2 Redrover, Mar 10, 2021
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  3. KS_Augsburg

    KS_Augsburg Zealot (614) Jul 29, 2018 Illinois
    Trader

    You probably mean the Flywheel, right? After a couple of disappointments with other locals Pilsners I did not try that one yet. Will give it a try, thanks for the recommendation.
     
    #3 KS_Augsburg, Mar 10, 2021
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  4. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    @KS_Augsburg where are you in the state? Do you have any access to Art History? Their Bauhaus pilsner would probably tickle your fancy. Dovetail and Goldfinger's pilsners are worth a try if you can get access to them... How about Urban Chestnut Stammtisch or 2nd Shift Technical Ecstasy?

    Edit: Oh, you know another good one? Bells Lager of the Lakes
     
    #4 FBarber, Mar 10, 2021
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  5. DoppleDork

    DoppleDork Aspirant (226) Mar 16, 2018 Illinois

    Seipp’s Extra Pale Pilsner could fit? Also brewed by Metropolitan. To confess, I haven’t had it since last summer. (I need to fix that. It was good.)

    Isn’t Heliostat basically Flywheel just out of the oven sooner? Or is it its own recipe?

    Flywheel is good and a go-to for me. I had a taproom pils from Dovetail a bunch of years ago that was great. Don’t recall which, but I don’t think it’s what is in the cans now, though.
     
    #5 DoppleDork, Mar 11, 2021
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  6. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    #6 FBarber, Mar 12, 2021
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  7. champ103

    champ103 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,296) Sep 3, 2007 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Riggs Pilsner in Urbana is excellent. Basically all German Nobel hop variety, I know they don't distribute outside of Chambana but their German styles are excellent. Whenever I come back to town I love picking up their beers.
     
    #7 champ103, Mar 12, 2021
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  8. CB_Michigan

    CB_Michigan Pooh-Bah (1,552) Sep 4, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Trumer is great IF you can find it fresh. I think they use a 9-month best by date and the last few 12-packs I’ve seen at Binny’s have been about 5-6 months old. Still good but I’d rather grab Dovetail, Fader, or Siepp’s.
     
    #8 CB_Michigan, Mar 12, 2021
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  9. 4DAloveofSTOUT

    4DAloveofSTOUT Grand Pooh-Bah (4,064) Nov 28, 2008 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Metropolitan & Dovetail lagers is all that you need!
     
    #9 4DAloveofSTOUT, Mar 12, 2021
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  10. KS_Augsburg

    KS_Augsburg Zealot (614) Jul 29, 2018 Illinois
    Trader

    Thanks, Art History is probably on the list for this weekend. I know the couple who started the brewery, nice people. The Bells Lager of the Lakes did not impress me that much, though. Anyways, good suggestion with Art History and Dovetail.
     
    #10 KS_Augsburg, Mar 12, 2021
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  11. RBCBrams17

    RBCBrams17 Savant (1,037) Aug 22, 2014 Illinois

    Selfishly, I love my new Kayak Pilsner at Riverlands, we put a ton of work into it, but there are a lot of other really good local pilsners too. Art History has good both Czech and German Pils. Goldfinger in Downers Grove has an awesome German Pils. Penrose latest batch of Pilsner is killer. Obviously Dovetail is great. Miskatonic has a really nice one too. More's Villa Pils is really tasty too. Lots of great options around!
     
    #11 RBCBrams17, Mar 13, 2021
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  12. pudgym29

    pudgym29 Zealot (634) Mar 14, 2009 Illinois

    Superb local suggestions in this thread.
    Have you tried the Warnesgrüner Pilsner (from Germany) sold at A L D I? Very reasonably priced, and hopefully, somewhat fresh. :grimacing:
     
    #12 pudgym29, Mar 13, 2021
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  13. Grounder

    Grounder Zealot (547) Jun 20, 2019 Illinois

    I came to believe that local interpretations of German beers will invariably disappoint (as the universal recipe seems to be "let's add 20 IBU"), Metropolitan being the only exception.
     
    #13 Grounder, Mar 15, 2021
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  14. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    #14 FBarber, Mar 15, 2021
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