North German Pilsner

In Northern Germany, there’s something in the water. And it creates exceptionally vibrant pilsners with citrusy aromas that bloom notes of wildflower honey and lemon zest. We add a pinch of brewing salts to balance the finish, which satisfies passionate and casual pilsner fans alike, inspiring raised glasses and calls of “prost!” Most excellent with Thai curries, roasted meats and strolls on cobblestone streets.

ABV 4.8%

IBU 40

FLAVOR PROFILE

Wildflower Honey, Graham Cracker, Lemon Rind

AVAILABILITY

Limited

INGREDIENTS

Malt

Weyermann Pilsner, CM Superior Pilsner

Hops

Herkules Extract, Saphir

Yeast

Lager

History

The lightly colored hoppy beer called pilsner originated in the Bohemian town of Pilsen. This beer created a revolution in the brewery industry. After its release, major brewing cities quickly began to mimic the Bohemian pilsner.  The race amongst neighboring breweries to innovate and improve upon the original Pilsner style paved the way for the development of two different versions of Pilsner beer.

To understand the differences between the two versions of German Pilsner, we must look at the water. The water in Northern Germany is fairly hard which accentuates the up-front bitterness. These beers display a strong, clean and citrusy hop bitterness. The water in Bavaria and many other parts of southern Germany tend to be moderately to extremely soft which helps to suppress the bold hop bitterness. Many of the southern German Pilsners favor more mellow hop aromatics rather than the strong hop flavor and bitterness found in Northern German pilsners.

The Pilsners are quite different as a result of the different water profiles. Northern German Pilsner is similar in flavor and bitterness to the Pilsen beers but with more flowery notes imparted by select German noble hops. The higher sulfur content of their water also provided a more lingering bitterness which helps to make a drier and more attenuated beer.

The beers from Southern Germany, on the other hand, can be more like a Munich Helles than a pilsner. These beers tend to have a more malty sweetness and overall less hop bitterness.

pFriem’s Northern German Pilsner takes a classical approach to brew a pilsner with the use of modern brewery practices. Weyermann pilsner malt makes a bright and beautiful base for this beer while Herkules hops provide a clean bitterness. For this beer, we added just the right amount of brewing salts to mimic our favorite Northern German city’s water profile.

Tasting Notes

Vibrant ochroid color topped a persistent white foam. Aromas of wildflower honey, gram cracker, and a hint of lemon tantalize the nose. While flavors of white grape, lemon, and biscuit, give way to assertive yet clean bitterness.

Food Pairings

The assertive bitterness pairs fatty meats roasted over charcoal. Excellent with pickled herring and smoked oysters. and any other cured or smoked seafood. The subtle citrus notes and dry finish pair beautifully with Thai curries and larb gai.