Beer Styles  »  Classic American Pilsner

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ABV: 4.5 - 6%    IBUs: 25 - 40    SRM: 3 - 6    OG: 1.044 - 1.060    FG: 1.010 - 1.015

A substantial Pilsner that can stand up to the classic European Pilsners, but exhibiting the native American grains and hops available to German brewers who initially brewed it in the USA. Refreshing, but with the underlying malt and hops that stand out when compared to other modern American light lagers. Maize lends a distinctive grainy sweetness. Rice contributes a crisper, more neutral character.

Low to medium grainy, corn-like or sweet maltiness may be evident (although rice-based beers are more neutral). Medium to moderately high hop aroma, often classic noble hops. Clean lager character, with no fruitiness or diacetyl. Some DMS is acceptable.
Yellow to deep gold color. Substantial, long lasting white head. Bright clarity.
Moderate to moderately high maltiness similar in character to the Continental Pilsners but somewhat lighter in intensity due to the use of up to 30% flaked maize (corn) or rice used as an adjunct. Slight grainy, corn-like sweetness from the use of maize with substantial offsetting hop bitterness. Rice-based versions are crisper, drier, and often lack corn-like flavors. Medium to high hop flavor from noble hops (either late addition or first-wort hopped). Medium to high hop bitterness, which should not be coarse nor have a harsh aftertaste. No fruitiness or diacetyl. Should be smooth and welllagered.
Medium body and rich, creamy mouthfeel. Medium to high carbonation levels.
A version of Pilsner brewed in the USA by immigrant German brewers who brought the process and yeast with them when they settled in America. They worked with the ingredients that were native to America to create a unique version of the original Pilsner. This style died out after Prohibition but was resurrected as a home-brewed style by advocates of the hobby.
The classic American Pilsner was brewed both pre-Prohibition and post-Prohibition with some differences. OGs of 1.050-1.060 would have been appropriate for pre- Prohibition beers while gravities dropped to 1.044-1.048 after Prohibition. Corresponding IBUs dropped from a pre- Prohibition level of 30-40 to 25-30 after Prohibition.
Six-row barley with 20% to 30% flaked maize to dilute the excessive protein levels. Native American hops such as Clusters, traditional continental noble hops, or modern noble crosses (Ultra, Liberty, Crystal) are also appropriate. Modern American hops such as Cascade are inappropriate. Water with a high mineral content can lead to an inappropriate coarseness in flavor and harshness in aftertaste.

		Beer Name	Brewery	ABV	IBUs
	(0)	Gunslinger	LoneRider Brewing Co.	5.1%	---
	(0)	Schlafly Pilsner	Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. / Schlafly	4.8%	30
	(0)	Pilsner Urquell	MillerCoors Brewing Co.	4.4%	---
	(0)	Polestar Pilsner	Left Hand Brewing Co.	5.5%	33
	(0)	The Wright Pils	Great Lakes Brewing Co.	5.3%	35
	(1)	Scrimshaw	North Coast Brewing Co.	4.4%	22
	(0)	Woodie Gold	Karl Strauss Brewing Co.	4.6%	---
	(0)	Lagunitas Czech Style Pilsner	Lagunitas Brewing Co.	6.2%	---
	(0)	Presque Isle	Erie Brewing Company	4.2%	18
	(0)	Southern Cross	Olde Hickory Brewery	5.75%	---
	(1)	Torch Pilsner	Foothills Brewing Co.	5.3%	35
	(0)	Kirin Ichiban	Anheuser-Busch	---	---
	(0)	Super Saaz Imperial Pilsner	Carolina Brewery	8.3%	---
	(0)	Joe's Pilsner	Avery Brewing Co.	4.7%	42
	(0)	Czech Style Pilsner	Gordon Biersch Brewing Co.	5.2%	30
	(0)	Schell's Pils	August Schell Brewing Co.	5.3%	---
	(1)	Mama's Little Yella Pils	Oskar Blues Brewing Co.	5.3%	35
	(0)	Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager	Great Northern Brewing Co.	4.6%	15
	(0)	Small Craft Warning	Heavy Seas Beer	7%	---