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

93 Imperial Lager, Krusovice (Czech Republic). 5.5% ABV (11/06)

Pale golden amber color with a slight hazy. Grainy bread dough and clay-like hop aromas. A round frothy entry lead to a dryish medium body with light caramel, toasted bread, dried tangy peach and tangerine flavors. Finishes with a sweet fruity and earthy hop fade. Very refreshing and tasty.

92 Pilsner, Wurzburger Hofbrau (Germany). 4.9% ABV (10/07)

Pure golden color with a frothy head. Wet nut, pizza dough, faint lemon and clay aromas follow through to a dryish medium body with a crisp round, lemon rind and earthy hop fade. Superb balance and drinkability that effortlessly glides across the palate.

91 Hometown Blonde, New Glarus Brewing Co. (WI). 5.15% ABV (10/07)

Golden amber color. Honey, orange cranberry bread dough and dusty nut aromas. A smooth, delicately frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of sweet nut bread and lemon cake flavors with a tangy orange marmalade and earthy hop fade. A tasty and highly drinkable pilsner.

91 5000 Indian Lager, Haywards (India). 7% ABV (11/06)

Deep, old gold color with an amber cast. Roasted nuts and faint floral honey aromas. A brisk entry lead to a fruity medium body of honeyed golden raisins and orange marmalade flavors. Finishes with a long, crisp, caramel, sweet grapefruit and spicy hops fade. Very refreshing.

90 Special Pilsner, Capital Brewery (WI). 11.825% ABV (11/06)

Old gold color. Cream, earthy, piney hops and very faint soap aromas. A round, vibrant entry leads to a frothy, tart medium-full body of lemon curd and custard, toasted nut bread flavors. Finishes with a tangy, sweet citrus and roasted grain fade. Nice vibrancy of flavor.

90 Premium Pilsner, Privat Brauere Bischoff (Germany). 4.7% ABV (11/06)

Sunny old gold color with a hazy pale amber cast. Floral and earthy honey and raisin bread dough aromas follow through to a frothy and lightly fruity medium body of raisin bread toast, citrus peels and a touch of custard. Finishes with a nice blend of sweet orange, cream and earthy hops. Very drinkable.

90 Pilsner, Zywiec Brewery (Poland). 5.7% ABV (10/07)

Toasty caramel and bread aromas follow through to a vibrant baguette and lemon curd palate with a rich honey nut and earthy hop fade. Great intensity and balanced of flavors.

90 Latitude Highland Pilsner, Atlas Brewery (Scotland). 3.9% ABV (10/08)

Bright golden yellow color. Piquant aromas of rye wafer, citrus marmalade and roasted nuts follow through on round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with zingy grapefruit rind and honeyed phyllo dough notes on the long, wonderfully astringent nutshell accented fade. A thoroughly refreshing lager that will excel as a foil to spicy foods.

90 Lager, Stella Artois (Belgium). 5.2% ABV (11/07)

Bright golden color. Fresh baked buttery baguette, oregano and earth aromas follow through to a frothy, supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with nice honeyed citrus marmalade accents on the crisp lingering fade. Very nice.

90 Hirter Privat Pils, Braueri Hirt (Austria). 5% ABV (11/06)

Golden amber nut oil and rye dough aromas. Zesty, frothy, rich entry leads to a frothy medium body of golden raisin toast and lemon peels with minerals and spice in perfect balance. Long, sweet, creamy finish.

90 Bright Lager, Zatec (Czech Republic). 4.6% ABV (10/08)

Rich old gold color. Toasted nuts, bread dough and clay aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a crisp, dryish medium body with orange rind, melon accents. Finishes with a long, tangy mossy, grassy hop, dried citrus peel and honeyed nut fade.

89 Volmaakt Superieur Pilsner, Swinckles Brouwerij (Holland). 5.5% ABV (10/08)

Brilliant old gold color with a fine white blanket. Cashew praline, honeyed raisin toast and subtle orange marmalade aromas follow through on a silky entry to a dry medium body with good depth and lively flavor interplay. Finishes with a nut and clay accented fade. Very nice.

89 Trumer Pils, Trumer Brauerei (CA). 4.9% ABV (10/08)

Bright yellow gold color with a lacy head. Mellow aromas of nut bread and citrus custard follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish medium body with tangy dried lemon peel, roasted nut and wet multigrain dough notes emerging. Finishes with a nicely astringent fade.

89 Main Street Pilsner, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.5% ABV (10/08)

Deep old gold color. Caramel, raisin toast and dried peach aromas follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish medium body with excellent balance and toastiness. Finishes with a long, toasty, mildly astringent dried lemon hop fade.

88 Premium Pils, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 4.9% ABV (10/08)

Bright golden yellow color. Mild toasted grain and butter roasted nut aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a dryish medium body with lemon and melon rind notes on the crisp, earthy finish. A clean and balanced pilsner.

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