Let's talk Pilsners

Those pictures made be thirsty.

Happy Hour Time!

Cheers!

 

Ninkasi Pravda pils!

 

There isn't another truly archetypical world classic beer which has ever been as brutally ***** as Pilsner Urquell. When I think of how it tasted in the mid 80s with, as Michael Jackson described in the 3rd edition of the S&S Pocket Guide to Beer, its 'softness, and a faintly salty tang' I could weep.

 

From what I hear, the Bass in the states got it worse (though I have yet to verify that for myself)- they say it's barely recognizable these days. I did get some PU within the past year and I still found it fairly nice and drinkable, if a tad too generic in character. At least it didn't make me sad and depressed like I am sure Bass will do whenever I get around to checking it out.

 

Then get on a boat(or plane) and get yourself to Germany and the Czech Republic. It's not that difficult and the pilsners will amaze you.

 

Pilsner Urquell is ubiquitous in Prague and sought out by Americans because they are familiar with it, but it's hardly the best. There are numerous smaller breweries and brewpubs in the Czech Republic that don't export and make better pilsners than Urquell.

It's not a bad one, just very over rated.

 

I have to say, I was never a big fan of the style until this summer. Great Lakes Brewing Company released The Wright Pils as their summer seasonal and I couldn't get enough of it. I have really been in a pilsner mood ever since.

 

What about 'em?!

 

Your thinking seems focused only on physical changes in the individual which would indeed affect all those regional beers as well. Now consider the psychological effects. How many of those regional beers do you know of that have changed from wooden, pitch-lined brewing tanks to stainless steel? If knowledge of place of growth or of price paid for a bottle of wine can affect the judgment of experienced wine drinkers are we beer drinkers any less susceptible to similar effects? I 'd suggest we are not. Indeed we may be even more susceptible.

 

My top three would be:

Firestone Walker's Pivo Hoppy Pils
Trumers Pils
Victory's Prima Pils

 

Sam Adams Hallertau Imperial Pilsner is the best I have ever had, but I can't say that I have seen it in years. Not even sure they make it any longer, although it is not listed as retired. Recently enjoyed Piercing Pils and planning a trip to Jack's Abby as soon as BA Framinghammer is released, so I will be sure to check out their highly rated offerings.

 

New Glarus Hometown Blonde
New Glarus Edel Pils

I am always baffled that NG Two Women is classified as a pils on this site. The brewery does not describe it as such, and it's an amber-brown color.

Hopefully Hometown Blonde is brewed this year, it's quite good!

 

Considerably better than Prima Pils and true to the style. Prima is way overhopped for a pilsner, which is why it gets so many raves from the double IPA hopheads here. Their scarred palates have lost the ability to appreciate the subtleties of traditional pilsners.

 

Southern Tier Eurotrash! Such a delicate yet complex beer.

 

And it's continued it's downhill slide since '98, but still gets raves from those who haven't experienced the better ones in the Czech Republic.

 

Bass everywhere is a pale shadow of the beer which achieved world wide fame.It isn't even anything like the stuff I drank in the 60s, it was at least dry hopped then. By comparison , since the mid 19th century PU has escaped relatively unscathed relative to Bass.

 

Sounds like you enjoy hops more than pilsners.

 

Victory Prima Pils
Troegs Sunshine Pils
Sixpoint The Crisp
Sly Fox Pikeland Pils
Sam Adams Noble Pils
Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella Pils

Those are pilsners that I drink pretty regularly.

I just had the new(ish) Piercing Pils from DFH last weekend, and I really liked that one too.

 

Seems to be a lot of that goin' on, no?

 

I would just love for us BA's to crowdfund a beer trip to the U.S.'s best craft breweries and bars for @Stahlsturm. All the crazy adjunct using ones, too (DFH, etc.) Only catch is he has to review/rant on each. I'd pay to read that. It'd be great! Get that man a Curmudgeon!