Pilsners!

Wow, this thread has been majorly jacked. Sorry OP.

Nonetheless, have to ask: Was the Faessla beer the Zwergla? Which Drei Kronen beer was it (if you recall)?

 

Can't recall either. I should take notes, but my notes often are worthless after the second stop.

 

Wait. So you mean you actually focus on drinking the beer and not on taking meticulous notes about it between sips?

 

I'm gettin' more laughs this morning than I have in a while!

But that's so typical between Dusseldorf and Cologne -- ask an Alt drinker in Dusseldorf about a Kölsch and he'll make the same face as your friend!

 

Don't you?

 

That's actually one of the neatest things about German beer "notes." They really don't have to be meticulous. Short of the really massive/bold items, most of my notes (aka. iPhone note app) consist of the name, whether it was good/bad, and any unusual flavors. A line or two tells the whole story. Simplicity can be great.

 

Enjoy the experience, talk to the locals even if I have to use my poor Deutsch. And like I said, I found years back that the notes are not of much value. A good beer I can remember.

Maybe I will take some notes next time.

 

What about Bitburger in mini kegs? I see that laying around everywhere.

 

not sure, if it is in german probably 6 if it is in english 12

 

they are probably old and the beer inside isn't very good imo. Same with warsteiner minikegs.

 

To get back to the original OP....at the end of the day, what would be the best examples that are WIDELY available from Germany (if fresh in the US), or widely available US examples?

 

“To get back to the original OP …”

Well, the OP stated: “I've thoroughly enjoyed Victory Pils and Stoudts Pils within the past month - if any of you guys out there appreciate the style, what are your favorites?”

It is my understanding that the OP is from Pennsylvania. Consequently I suggested he try Sly Fox Pikeland Pils (my post recopied below). While I think that Victory Prima Pils is a tasty beer I prefer Pikeland Pils to Prima Pils.

Sly Fox is not widely available but it is available to the OP.

Cheers!

P.S. I will be going to the Sly Fox brewpub this evening for some Keller Pils. I can’t get enough of that excellent Pilsner!

“I will ‘vote’ for Sly Fox Pikeland Pils too. It is great in the cans but even ‘better’ fresh on draft.

If you can get to the Sly Fox Brewpub in Phoenixville, PA they have the Pilsner available on draft in unfiltered form. They call it Keller Pils.

Pikeland Pils is brewed with imported malt and imported hops:

“Gold Medal GABF 2007, 2000 | Bronze Medal, GABF 2003

A Northern German style Pilsner brewed with imported German Pils malt and hopped with German and Czech hops. Light in body, light straw in color and dry.”

A description of the Keller Pils:

“Keller Pils

By public demand, an unfiltered version of our award-winning Pikeland Pils straight out of the beer cellar occasionally appears on tap. A Northern German style Pilsner brewed with imported German Pils malt and hopped with German and Czech hops. Light in body, light straw in color, dry and UNFILTERED.

11.7 OG | 44 IBUs | 4.9% ABV

On tap @: Phoenixville”

I had a Sly Fox Pikeland Pils and a Victory Braumeister Pils at XFINTY Live after yesterday’s Phillies games. They were both excellent Pilsners; enjoyable on a warm spring afternoon at the Victory Beer Hall,”

 

I'd say Koenig.

 

Good call Jack, love the Fox Keller Pils. I was drinking that last year at the Goat races. Loved it.

 

I know of one store that carries their cans, if it's fresh enough I'll pick it up. I've been meaning to. Unfortunately I can't get Slyfox. Radeberger, Jever (although I can never find it even remotely fresh), Pilsner Urquell, Noble Pils, Summerfest, Prima Pils, Stoudts, Mama's Little Yellow, Paulaner......all stuff I have access to.

 

I am a fan of Pilsners and here is how it works for me: Victory Prima Pils and Sly Fox Pikeland Pils, while good, are a bit over hopped when I think about what a Pilsner should be (and Noble Pils as well, but to a lesser extent). Lagunitas Pils, Pilsner Urquell and SN Summerfest are more of what I like and what I think of when I think about what a Pilsner should be.

I am a fan of Stoudts as well and have had many of their brews thus far, but I haven't had a chance to try their Pilsner yet....but when I do, I am sure I will enjoy it. I would also like to try Brooklyn Brewery's. Their beers are hit or miss with me (mostly misses), but I do think I will enjoy it.

 

Sounds like you're just about set! All of the above (Jever if you can find it fresh) and you can't really go wrong.

Try the Radeburger alongside the Prima and see if you can tell the differences we've been talking about.

Also, look for Trumer and Eku Pils -- if you can find Eku fresh it's just about the perfect German Pils.

 

Oftentimes many places have Prima and Radeberger on tap, so this shouldn't be difficult

 

Searched high and low at the liquor store because after this thread, I needed a pils. Jever was dated "best by" 070212, so if I see that as US dating it's 9 months old, European dating, it expired in February. Pilsner Urquell was from September (I'm assuming all European beers have a one year old best by date). Noble Pils just hit, three weeks old. When in doubt, go with fresh. And I like the beer, so it's a win-win.

 

I know.... but its better........