It’s officially that time of year. Winter is quickly disappearing in our rearview mirrors. While there are still rainy, wet spring days ahead, there are also many sunny, warm days in our near future. It’s the perfect time of year for a crisp, clean, refreshing pilsner.
In my years of writing about alcohol (specifically beer), I’ve seen trends come and go. And while I can enjoy a warming, bold barrel-aged stout in the middle of an epically cold winter or a juicy, hazy New England-style IPA on a humid summer day, I’ve never found there to be a wrong time of year for a balanced, crushable pilsner.
What is a pilsner?
Before we go any further, it’s important to give a little background on what exactly a pilsner is. If you’re new to beer (or you just don’t pay much attention to it), you might not understand the difference between a lager and a pilsner. The easier way to think about it is this: all pilsners are lagers, but not all lagers are pilsners. That’s because lager is the umbrella term, and a pilsner is technically a pale lager.
The first pale lager (and still one of the best) was Pilsner Urquell. First brewed in Czechia in 1842, this crisp, refreshing, well-balanced beer is still the beer many brewers worldwide hope to emulate.
While the Czech version was the first, it’s not the only pilsner variety. The style includes the Bohemian pilsner (the Czech version), German pilsner, American pilsner, and more.
Made with Pale malts, bottom-fermenting yeast, and hops like Saaz, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger, and Spalter hops, the style is known for its crisp, easy-drinking nature. A very sessionable beer style, it’s often between 4% and 5.5% ABV. It’s known for its memorable aromas and flavors of floral, earthy, gentle spicy hops and gentle, pleasant bitterness.
Crisp pilsners available everywhere
The best thing about pilsners is that there are countless options to choose from and they’re available everywhere. Whether you prefer a classic European pilsner or an upstart craft offering, there’s something for everyone, and they can be found at your local grocery or beer store almost anywhere you live. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite crisp, refreshing pilsners. Keep scrolling to see them all.
How I chose these crisp pilsners
When making a list of the best, crisp, refreshing pilsners, you have to consider a few things. One is how easy they are to find, and the other is the style’s history. I selected classic, balanced pilsners available in most beer stores, but I also didn’t leave out the traditional European staples that made the style what it is today.
Rothaus Tannenzäpfle
If you’re only going to purchase one pilsner on this list, make it Rothaus Tannenzäpfle. This traditional German pilsner is brewed in accordance with the German Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot). It’s made with simple ingredients like water, malted barley, yeast, and Tettnang and Hallertau hops. This creates a memorable, crushable pilsner that begins with a nose of citrus peels, fresh cut grass, orchard fruits, and herbal, floral hops. The palate is centered on notes of caramel malts, orange peels, honey, and floral, earthy Noble hops. The finish is clean, crisp, and gently bitter in the best way possible. Pair this thirst-quencher with grilled sausages and good times with friends and family.
Victory Prima Pils
Victory is well-known for its award-winning beer lineup. One of its best flagship brews is Victory Prima Pils. This 5.3% pilsner is brewed with German malts, yeast, and Saaz, Tettnang, Spalt, and Hallertau hops. The balanced pilsner begins with a nose of citrus peels, fresh-cut grass, dank pine, and herbal, floral, and earthy hops. Sipping it reveals notes of caramel malts, orchard fruits, lemon peels, and piney, floral hops. The finish is crisp, refreshing, and gently bitter, and leaves you craving more. This is a hoppy, refreshing respite from spring rainy days.
Pilsner Urquell
No pilsner list is complete without the OG pale lager. Brewed the same way since 1842, Pilsner Urquell is brewed with Pilsen water, Bohemian barley, a proprietary yeast strain, and Saaz hops. The result is a sessional 4.4% ABV pale lager that opens with aromas of clover honey, orange peel, grass, fresh-baked bread, and herbal, floral, and spicy hops. The palate features flavors of lemon peel, honey, caramel malts, and herbal, earthy, floral, and lightly piney hops. The finish is crisp and clean, featuring Noble hops with herbal, floral notes and a pleasant, lingering bitterness. This is a perfect complement to spring grilling.
Firestone Walker Pivo Pils
This epic pilsner is a must-try for any thirst-quenching beer fans. Brewed with 100% German-grown malt, house lager yeast, and German Saphir hops, it is also dry-hopped. The nose features honey, citrus peels, fresh-baked bread, and floral, herbal, dank, piney hops. Sipping it brings notes of bready malts, caramel, honey, lemongrass, and piney, floral hops. The finish is clean and effortlessly crisp, ending with a gentle hit of hop bitterness. Drink this one on a hot day after you mow the lawn this spring.
