German Pilsner

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES

Pilsner is a light-colored, yet incredibly delicate and flavorful beer with historical ties to Pilsen, Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. The naturally soft waters of the region allowed brewers to be the first to make their beers with a base entirely of pale malted barley, absent of “specialty” grains. Early pilsners of Bohemia were hopped with a variety known as Saaz, which is characteristically floral and peppery. Categorically a lager beer, pilsners are fermented with lager yeasts at cold temperatures, around 50ºF and cold-conditioned (lagered) for a period of several weeks at 35 to 40ºF. This cooler fermentation prevents the yeast from contributing fruitiness that is typical of ales, and the extended cold storage allows the yeast to reabsorb many biproducts of fermentation, leaving an incredibly clean flavor profile. Similar to Bohemian pilsners, German pilsners are typically brewed with only mild pilsner malt and are often hopped with German noble varieties like Hallertauer and Tettnanger. Brilliant straw gold in appearance, German pilsners have a slightly sweet maltiness, with accents of biscuits and lightly-toasted bread. The malt is offset by a healthy dose of floral and spicy hop bitterness, however, and the dry finish and moderately high carbonation give the beer a light mouthfeel. German pilsners can be described as having a very focused flavor profile, but if you let each sip linger, you’ll find the style to be laced with finespun intricacies. And because it is very stripped down recipe-wise, there are no places for off-flavors to hide. A well-brewed pilsner is often seen as the mark of a top-notch brewery. Pilsner is best enjoyed fresh and there are some truly wonderful American brewed examples. Victory’s Prima Pils and Sudwerk’s Pilsner can both be purchased at Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa along with most BevMo! locations. For some imported German versions, try Spaten Pils or Weihenstephaner Pilsner. Cheers!

HI-TIME WINE CELLARS 250 OGLE ST | COSTA MESA 92627 | 949.650.8463 | HITIMEWINE.NET

Tags: beer, costa mesa, hi time wine cellars, pilsner