The Pilsner beer style has long been enjoyed around the globe since it first originated in the Czech Republic over 200 years ago. Due to its light, crisp taste and refreshing finish, this style quickly gained worldwide appeal. Today there are numerous types of pilsner available from classic Czech styles to more recent craft interpretations; we will explore the 10 best Pilsner Beers you should taste this 2023 in this article.
The Best Pilsner Beers in the World
Pilsner Urquell: This classic Czech pilsner beer dates back to 1842. With its golden color and crisp, refreshing taste – making it ideal for hot summer days – Pilsner Urquell makes the ideal companion on hot afternoons!
Prima Pils by Victory Brewing Company: Victory’s craft interpretation of Pilsner is crisp and hoppy with an interestingly bitter finish, offering beer lovers something new to try! A great option to explore.
Jever Pilsener: This German pilsner is well known for its dry, bitter flavor and a crisp finish – ideal for beer enthusiasts seeking an intense yet nuanced pilsner experience.
Lagunitas Pils: This American craft pilsner offers an appealing twist on classic styles with its light yet crisp taste and slightly hoppy aroma.
Weihenstephaner Pilsner: Brewed using traditional techniques, Weihenstephaner Pilsner offers an elegant flavor. A must-try for beer enthusiasts looking for classic styles!
Bitburger Premium Pils: This German pilsner is known for its clean, crisp taste and smooth finish – ideal for beer enthusiasts seeking the classic German experience! It makes a fantastic pick.
Sierra Nevada Summerfest: An American craft pilsner perfect for warm-weather drinking, Sierra Nevada Summerfest provides light yet refreshing taste that pairs nicely with its slightly hoppy finish – ideal on hot days when drinking directly out of a bottle!
Paulaner Original Munchner Hell: For those in search of classic German pilsner experiences, Paulaner Original Munchner Hell offers light golden color with refreshing citrus tones for an enjoyable draught beer experience. It makes an excellent selection when looking to refresh themselves during their drink experience!
Brooklyn Brewery Pilsner: This American craft pilsner offers a refreshing take on its classic counterpart with light, crisp flavor and subtle hoppiness for an ideal sipping experience in warm climates.
Rothaus Pils Tannenzapfle: This German pilsner is known for its crisp, refreshing taste and smooth finish – it makes an excellent selection for beer enthusiasts seeking a traditional German pilsner experience.
With something for every palate ranging from traditional Czech pilsners to craft versions produced here in America, pilsners make great beers that everyone will appreciate in 2023. Our list of 10 Best Pilsner Beers above provides the ideal place to begin exploring pilsners this year – cheers to delicious beer!
Read more: Top 10 Best Pilsner Beers You Must Try in 2023The History of Pilsner Beer
Pilsner beer, an immensely popular style of lager originating in Plzen (Pilsen), in what is now the Czech Republic in the mid 19th century, boasts an intriguing story involving innovation, competition and some good old-fashioned luck.
The Birth of Pilsner Beer
Early 19th-century residents of Plzen were dissatisfied with the quality of beer being produced in their city; cloudy and sour beer wasn’t suitable for travel; thus in 1838 a group of 36 brewers united to form a new brewery that could produce better beverages.
They established the “Burgersky pivovar,” or Citizens’ Brewery in Berlin and hired Josef Groll from Bavaria as master brewer to craft new kind of beer that would appeal to middle class drinkers and was light in color, clear, and refreshing – qualities Groll was charged with creating.
The Invention of the Pilsner Urquell
Groll spent several months experimenting with ingredients and techniques before finding his ideal formula in 1842. It contained local Saaz hops, Moravian barley, soft water from an artesian well, and bottom fermentation technology; producing clear beer with a refreshing taste.
It quickly became popular and was named “pilsner”, after its birthplace of Plzen in Bohemia. Over time, its production became known by another name: Pilsner Urquell (“original source of Pilsner”); it eventually went on to be one of Europe’s most profitable breweries.
The Spread of Pilsner Beer
Pilsner Urquell’s success led to its global adoption. Breweries produced their own varieties of this style of beer and it quickly became one of the world’s most beloved styles of beverage.
Today’s pilsner beer still uses the same basic techniques developed over 150 years ago, remaining popular among beer fans due to its clean flavor and refreshing finish and widely enjoyed around the globe.
Popular Brands
There are numerous popular Pilsner brands worldwide. Notable examples include Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser Budvar Stella Artois, and Becks. In addition to global companies producing Pilsner beer, there are local and regional breweries producing their own version.
Pilsner beer style has long been enjoyed by drinkers around the globe for its light flavor profile and refreshing finish, perfect for any special event or food pairing occasion. So next time you need an enjoyable and refreshing beer option to turn to, give Pilsner a try!
