This blog will shine a spotlight on one of the world's most beloved beer styles and introduce you to our very own award-winning, gluten-free Pillars Pilsner. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or new to the world of craft lager, a well-brewed Pilsner is a popular, respected and crowd-pleasing beer.
Pilsner, or pils, is a type of lager that hails from the Czech Republic. It's famed for its golden colour, crystal-clear appearance, and a balance of smooth maltiness with a crisp hop finish. Unlike some of its heavier, more robust cousins in the lager family, pilsner offers a refreshing and light drinking experience, making it a favourite for any occasion.
Alongside its clear, golden colour, Pilsner’s defining feature is a distinctive hop character. The hop character comes from the use of Saaz hops, a noble hop variety grown in the Czech Republic. These hops are prized for their mild bitterness and aromatic qualities, contributing to the pilsner's unique flavour profile.
The story of Pilsner begins in the mid-19th century, in the town of Pilsen, located in what is now the Czech Republic. At this point in time, most beers were top-fermented and varied greatly in quality and clarity. The people of Pilsen craved something different, and in 1842, their calls were answered by a Bavarian brewer named Josef Groll. Groll introduced the world to the first batch of Pilsner: a bottom-fermented lager, yielding a clearer, more stable, and palatable drink. Its brilliant golden colour, refreshing clarity, and balanced hop flavour were unlike anything else at the time. The birth of Pilsner set a new standard for beers worldwide.
It is no exaggeration to say that a pilsner is a delicate art that requires precision and patience, a testament to the brewer's skill. Here's a quick overview of how a pilsner lager comes to life:
Brewing a high-quality Pilsner is not for the faint-hearted. There are many challenges within the complex process of lager brewing:
Pilsner can be enjoyed with many varieties of food due to its crisp, refreshing taste and balanced hop character. This light to medium-bodied beer is versatile, complementing a wide range of dishes and occasions. Its crisp, clean profile cuts through the richness of meats and fried foods, whilst counterbalancing the heat of intense spices. Pilsner’s carbonation refreshes the palate between bites, enhancing the flavours of both the beer and the food. The subtle bitterness can enhance the more delicate flavours of seafood and balance the sweetness of cheese.
To fully enjoy a Pilsner’s qualities, we recommend a serving temperature of 4-7°C. Ideally you should serve it chilled, but not too cold. For glassware, using a tall, slender glass promotes its carbonation and helps to maintain the head. Don’t forget to pour your bottled beer at a tilted angle, straightening up towards the end to create a generous, foamy head. Keep the pouring speed steady!
Pilsner is considered the template for many of the world's lager beers. Its brewing process and use of bottom-fermenting lager yeast set a standard for clean, crisp beer flavours. While the original Czech pilsner remains a gold standard, the style has inspired variations, including German Pilsners and American Pilsners, which often experiment with different hop varieties and brewing techniques.
Pilsner has influenced countless brewers and beer styles around the globe. Its introduction marked the beginning of a new era in brewing, emphasising clarity, purity, and flavour. Today, Pilsner remains one of the world's most popular beer styles, and continues to stand the test of time.
Pilsners frequently win top honours at beer competitions worldwide. Their balance of malt sweetness with hop bitterness makes them a favourite among both judges and casual drinkers. Our very own Pillars Pilsner has received a number of awards, including the UK's Best Lager in the World Beer Awards 2021. As a gluten-free and vegan beer, Pillars Pilsner is brewed to appeal to any and all lager drinkers. You can try our award-winning, refreshing Pilsner by ordering online today.