It’s crisp, refreshing, and maddeningly consistent. “All due respect to centuries of European craftsmanship, but the best pilsner I’ve ever had is Pivo Pils from Firestone Walker. Premiant is my go-to every time I visit K.C., and I always make sure to leave room in my bag for a couple of 4-packs.” - Rick Dankert, Brewer, Holy Mountain Brewing, Seattle, Wash. It’s the perfect expression of the style: crisp and biscuity, with a punch of lemon and a little peppery bitterness. The best I’ve ever had is the Premiant, a Czech-style pilsner from Alma Mader Brewing in Kansas City. “Living in Seattle, I’m blessed with access to a lot of great pilsners.

Keep reading for details about all of the recommended beers!

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Saaz Pils.

Alma Mader Premiant Czech-Style Pilsner.

(Did your favorite make the list?) The Best Pilsners Recommended By Brewers: From Old-World classics to modern interpretations, here are the experts’ picks. So, what pils’ are worth seeking out? We asked 14 brewers to share the singular example of the style that holds a special place in their hearts, and their glasses. Ask a brewer what they’re drinking after a long shift, or what they’re discretely sipping on while working a beer festival, and you’ll likely get this response (loudly and proudly): crisp, clean pils. They are delicious and seductively refreshing, as well as low in alcohol, making them an ideal beverage choice in many situations. It’s also because pilsners are beloved by drinkers of all kinds.

It’s a true measure of brewing greatness.

No doubt, part of the pilsner’s admiration among beer makers around the world is the challenge in creating a notable take. (At the time of writing, its taproom has four on draft.) “From the choice of raw materials, to water profile adjustments, to multiple enzyme rests, and fermentation temperatures, pilsners are intimately crafted love letters to your senses.” “No frills, no gimmicks - pilsners truly showcase the skill of the brewer,” says Madeleine McCarthy, a brewer at Von Ebert Brewing’s Glendoveer location in Portland, Ore., which produces a variety of pilsners. It’s an exercise in technique and precision. The globally adored style of lager, which was invented in the Bohemian city of Pilsen (now in the Czech Republic) in 1842, is known and celebrated for its stripped-down nature - a fundamental abnegation of superfluity that, during production, leaves little room for even the slightest misstep. Most brewers will agree: A good pilsner, with its brisk, subtle flavors, brilliant clarity, and crisp, snappy bitterness, is extremely tough to make.

Pilsner beer meaning