Pils (Pilsner)
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Beer styles”.
Explanation
Pale, clear lager with pronounced hop bitterness and a floral hop aroma, first brewed in 1842 in Pilsen (Bohemia). Czech Pilsner is fuller, German Pils leaner and more bitter. Typical: OG 1.044–1.050, 4.4–5.2 % ABV, 25–40 IBU.
Test your knowledge
What is the water like in Pilsen, where the first Pilsner was brewed in 1842?
- Salty
- Very hard
- Very soft
Show answer
Correct: Very soft. The soft water makes Pilsner’s strong hop bitterness fine and smooth.
What does a New Zealand pilsner with hops such as Nelson Sauvin smell like?
- Banana and clove
- Gooseberry, lime and white wine
- Smoke and bacon
Show answer
Correct: Gooseberry, lime and white wine. New Zealand hops bring fruity aromas instead of the spicy notes of European pilsners.
Who brewed the first Pilsner in Pilsen in 1842?
- Anton Dreher
- Gabriel Sedlmayr
- The Bavarian brewer Josef Groll
Show answer
Correct: The Bavarian brewer Josef Groll. Golden and clear, made with Saaz hops and Pilsen’s soft water, the new beer conquered the world.