At Pillars, we only do lager. So when it comes to exploring historic lager styles, Kellerbier is one that gets us particularly hot under the collar. Rustic, unfiltered, and full of character- it’s ideal for those who love their beer a little less polished and a lot more interesting. But what exactly is a Kellerbier?
Straight from the Cellar
The word Kellerbier literally translates to “cellar beer” in German. Kellerbier came straight from the cool, dark beer cellars of Franconia, in southern Germany.
Why cellars?
Before refrigeration, brewers needed a natural way to keep their beer cool during fermentation and maturation. In Germany, especially in regions like Franconia and Bavaria, deep underground cellars provided the perfect solution. These spaces stayed consistently cool year-round, making them ideal for fermenting and storing lagers, which require lower temperatures than ales.
Brewed using classic lagering methods, Kellerbier is typically young and unfiltered, meaning it retains a slightly hazy appearance and a fuller, rounder mouthfeel. The result is a beer that’s fresh, slightly yeasty, and bursting with traditional charm.
Think of it as lager in its rawest, most honest form.
Unfiltered & Unpasteurised
What sets Kellerbier apart from more polished styles is what it doesn’t go through. It’s usually:
Unfiltered: so it keeps some of the yeast and proteins that give it a natural haze and soft texture.
Unpasteurised: meaning the beer remains alive with a gentle, natural carbonation.
Kellerbier starts life much like any other lager but with a few important differences that give it its unique character. It undergoes a cold fermentation with lager yeast like other lagers, but instead of extended cold conditioning and filtration, Kellerbier is packaged young and unfiltered. This process results in a beer that feels incredibly fresh and expressive, with a bready malt backbone, soft bitterness, and a delicate herbal hop profile.
Because it’s neither filtered nor pasteurised, Kellerbier has a shorter shelf life – but that’s part of its charm. It's designed to be enjoyed fresh, straight from the source, just like it was back in the cellars of Franconia.
A Taste of Tradition
Kellerbier has been around for centuries, long before modern filtration and refrigeration changed the face of brewing. It’s a throwback to the pre-industrial lager, where each batch was a little different, and beer was something enjoyed at the source.
More modern brewers are now embracing this traditional style for its authenticity and character. While there are some variations (have you heard of ‘Zwickelbier’ or ‘Landbier’?), they all share the same core ethos: minimal processing, maximum flavour.
Pillars Kellerbier
It is any wonder that for our first unfiltered lager we chose to brew a Kellerbier? The Pillars Kellerbier pays homage to the classic, with a few modern twists to make it our own.
Our brewers have created a rustic, full-bodied lager with rich, nutty and bready aromas. At 4.5% ABV this small-batch is a perfect choice for a session beer, particularly if you enjoy a dry, refreshing finish and malty aftertaste. Pillars Kellerbier is an unfiltered lager bursting with noble, herbal character from Czech Saaz hops. Expect a hazy pour, creamy mouthfeel, and a fresh, full-flavoured experience.
Curious to taste the difference an unfiltered lager makes?
You can check out the Pillars Kellerbier here. This one’s well worth a try.