Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

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Pilsner

Pilsner styles of beer originate from Bohemia in the Czech Republic. They are medium- to medium-full bodied and are characterized by high carbonation and tangy Czech varieties of hops that impart floral aromas and a crisp, bitter finish. The hallmark of a fresh pilsner is the dense, white head. The alcohol levels must be such as to give a rounded mouthfeel, typically around 5 percent ABV. Classic pilsners are thoroughly refreshing, but they are delicate and must be fresh to show their best. Few beers are as disappointing to the beer lover as a stale pilsner. German pilsner styles are similar, though often slightly lighter in body and color. Great pilsners are technically difficult to make and relatively expensive to produce.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

88 Premium Lager, Bernard (Czech Republic). 4.7% ABV (10/07)

Burnished old gold color. Vibrant wet earth, hay, pretzel dough and caramelized fruit aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of dusty mineral, nuts, sourdough bread and sour lemon flavors with a cardboard and salt water taffy. A bit out-of balance or condition on the finish, but a fine beer underneath.

88 Paine’s Pilsner, Fox River Brewing (WI). 5.2% ABV (10/07)

Amber color. Honeyed orange bread, toasted nut and straw aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of toasty nut bread and grapefruit zest flavors. Finishes with a crisp and refreshing fade. Not exactly stylistically correct for a pilsner, but very nicely made and highly drinkable.

88 Chain Link Pilsner, Bethlehem Brew Works (PA). 4.7% ABV (11/06)

Golden amber color. Cream, caramelized barley and faint malt vinegar aromas. A crisp, frothy entry lead to a dry medium body of singed nuts and citrus and burnt sugar flavors. Finishes with a tart, tangy burnt citrus, nice bittering hops and dark caramel fade. Curious, but thirst quenching.

87 Ur-Pils, Brauerei Pinkus M¸ller (Germany). 5.2% ABV (10/08)

Cloudy golden orange color. Wet cereal, apricot yogurt and whey aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish, lightly creamy medium body with nutskin, silt and peppery spice accents. Finishes with a mild earthy hop, honeyed lemon and toasted grain fade. An interesting, unfiltered mellow lager style.

87 Premium Lager, Kingfisher Brewing Company (NY). (10/08)

Bright golden color. Mild, somewhat creamy nougat and toasted corn bread aromas follow through on a very smooth round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with roasted sweet corn, okra and nut accents. Finishes with a crisp, somewhat fruity date and fig accented fade with mild, earthy bittering hops. A nice choice for Indian and Thai cuisine.

87 Pilsner, Radeberger (Germany). (11/06)

Rich old gold color. Earthy hay, bread dough and light caramel aromas. A silky entry leads to a dryish light-bodied palate with spicy white rye toast, delicate honey and orange marmalade flavors. Finishes with nice straw and dried citrus notes. Great fruitiness and crispness in a lighter framed beer.

87 Mama’s Lil Yella Pils, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 6% ABV (10/07)

Golden amber color with big frothy bubbles. Earthy hops, tangerine peel and bread dough aromas follows through to lively, effervescent entry and leads to a dryish light-to-medium body with crisp, bittering hops fade. A nicely balanced and refreshing pilsner.

87 Deluxe Pilsner Beer, Lionshead (PA). 4.4% ABV (10/07)

Bright golden color. Light buttered toast and delicate, fruit hop aromas follow through to a crisp frothy light-to-medium body of lemon curd on pumpernickel toast flavors with a tangy sweet citrus peel and metallic mineral fade.

87 Canadian Pilsner, Labatt Blue (Canada). 5% ABV (11/06)

Pure golden color with an amber cast. Doughy malt and marmalade aromas follow through to a frothy medium body of lemon and orange marmalade, grainy bread dough and delicate spices. Finishes with a tangy sweet citrus and honeyed toast fade. Very nice.

87 Anchor Red Crown Pilsner, Asia Pacific Breweries (China). 4% ABV (10/07)

Golden yellow color. Vibrant wet dough and mineral aromas. A round, crisp entry leads to a light-to-medium body of light banana custard on rye toast flavors. Finishes with a canned corn and metallic mineral fade.

86 Uberfest Pilsner, Rogue Ales (OR). (11/06)

Pale golden amber color. Spicy peach pie and slightly soapy hop aromas. A round entry leads to a subtly carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of peach tart, lime zest, strawberry jam and toasted raisin nut bread flavors. Finishes with a softly textured, tangy, fruity peach and citrus hop fade. Very fruity, but could use more carbonation and zest.

86 Special Pilsner, Cross Plains Brewery (WI). 4.9% ABV (11/06)

Rich golden amber color. Light dried fruit, bread and buttery caramel aromas. A round entry lead to a lightly frothy medium body of golden raisin toast with honey flavors. Finishes with a fruity fade of candied citrus and light bittering hops.

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