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German Pilsner
A crisp, pale, dry lager with a firm noble-hop bitterness and a clean fermentation.
About the German Pilsner style
The German pilsner is the northern German take on the pale lager first brewed in Pilsen in Bohemia in 1842. Softer water and a firmer hop bitterness give it a drier, crisper character than its Czech cousin.
It became the dominant beer style of Germany and the model for pale lagers around the world. A good example is pale, brilliantly clear, and finishes dry with a lingering noble-hop bitterness.
Grain, hops and yeast
Malt and grain: German pilsner malt for a light, grainy-sweet, cracker-like base.
Hop character: Firm noble German hops such as Hallertau and Tettnang for a floral, spicy bitterness and aroma.
Yeast and fermentation: A clean German lager yeast fermented cold and lagered, leaving a crisp, neutral profile.
A typical German Pilsner runs 4.4 to 5.2% alcohol by volume, with a bitterness of about 22 to 40 IBU and a colour of 2 to 5 SRM. It is traditionally served in a pilsner flute. These figures describe the usual range for the style; a given example may sit a little outside them.
Serving and carbonation
Serve a German pilsner cold, around 4 to 6 degrees Celsius, in a tall flute, with a high carbonation and a firm head. It is a style to serve fresh and well conditioned, so on a keg give it time to lager and clear before tapping.
Fermentation in brief
A clean German lager yeast fermented cold, around 9 to 12 degrees Celsius, then lagered near freezing for weeks, gives the crisp, neutral profile the style needs. Pitch a large healthy dose, since cold fermentation is slow, and lager the beer long enough to drop clear and mellow.
Classic examples
Well-known commercial examples of the style include Bitburger, Trumer Pils and Victory Prima Pils. Tasting a benchmark example is the best way to understand what a style should be before brewing your own.
| Vital statistic | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Strength (ABV) | 4.4 to 5.2% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 22 to 40 |
| Colour (SRM) | 2 to 5 |
| Traditional glass | Pilsner flute |
Typical published ranges. Individual examples vary.
Set up your German Pilsner on tap
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Sources: BJCP Beer Style Guidelines