Pilsners are one of the most popular beer styles in the world, and it’s easy to see why. This brew’s characterized by a brisk, subtle flavor, clear, bright color, and a snap of bitterness at the end. It’s a deceptively simple beer, using only pilsner malt, lager yeast, hops, and water. 

To get genuinely superior pils, you rely on the brewer’s technique. Unlike stouts or India Pale Ales (IPAs), characterized by a robust hop character, there’s not a lot of room to hide a misstep in a pilsner’s brewing process. If a craft brewery’s pilsner is on point, you’re almost guaranteed that the rest of their products will be equally good.

Not sure what pilsner to reach for after a hot day of yard work or lazing around the pool? We’ve got you covered with a selection of the best pilsner beer from craft brewers near and far. Grab a frosty beer stein, and put your feet up. You’re in for a refreshing ride.  

1. Pilsner Urquell 12pk 12oz Btl 4.4% ABV

This is the world’s first pilsner! Brewed in the Czech Republic town of Plzeň, this brew is bottom-fermented for a flavor that combines the taste of sweet malt with zesty lemon. This legendary beverage is considered the “model of meter” among beers; it’s still the best pilsner beer brand around.

$20.99

2. Maui Brewing Pau Hana Pilsner 6pk 12oz Can

Looking for one of the best pilsner beers in the USA? Would you believe it comes from Hawai’i? Believe it. Maui Brewing has created a European-style pils that delivers malty sweetness balanced by a spicy hop profile from the floral Saaz hops. Beer drinkers, it’s time to say, “Aloha!”

$13.99

3. Revolver Long Range Pilsner 6pk 12oz Can 4.8% ABV

Revolver has crafted a pils beer that blends all the best brewing traditions into one top-flight beverage. Built with premium Bohemian malts, hopped with German Saphir, Czech Saaz, and American Mosaic, and then fermented with Bavarian lager yeast, there are no shortcuts here.

$9.49

4. Migration Brewing Proper Pilsner 6pk 12oz Can 5.1% ABV

Czech-style pilsner comes to Oregon! Migration Brewing crafts a pilsner that starts with a subtle herbal spiciness and then moves into a slightly citrusy finish thanks to its floral hops. Weyermann Pilsner Malt and Hallertau Mittlefruh hops take the lead to craft a complex, refreshing, anytime drink.

$10.99

5. Jever Pilsener 6pk 12oz Btl

This is a beer for those who want a drink with character. Jever defines the classic German Friesland pilsener. It has a soft cracker palate and is clean and crisp with refreshing lemon notes. Where Jever really stands out is at the finish. It packs a hoppy punch, at once dry and nuanced.

$10.69

6. Firestone Walker Pivo Pils 6pk 12oz Can

Pivo Pils is dry-hopped with German Saphir hops for a touch of bergamot zest and lemongrass flavors. Refreshing and light, the hop flavor is more front and center than traditional pilsners. Firestone Walker Pivo Pils is one of the premier craft brewers in California, and this brew demonstrates why.

$11.99

7. Krombacher Pils 6pk 12oz Btl

If you’re looking for a beer that breaks the Bohemia mold, why not give a German pilsner a try? Krombacher is Germany’s number one premium lager and balances toasty malt flavors with fruity German hops. It’s a brew that starts out crisp and clean, then nurses a long, lightly bitter finish. 

$10.99

8. Federation Brewing Impulse Pils 6pk 12oz Can

What’s the point of life if you can’t be spontaneous on occasion? Federation Brewing understands. They crafted their well-rounded pilsner for refreshment on a hot summer’s day. It’s a light, crushable German-style pilsner that you’ll be happy to drink on the spur of the moment.

$14.99

9. Karlovacko Croatian Beer Single 16.9oz Btl

This beer is the pride of the Baltics. This classic pilsner’s light malt flavor combines with floral and citrus notes for a deliciously refreshing taste and leads to a delightful bitter hoppy finish. Fire up the BBQ because spicy sausages with mustard and kraut are a must with this beer.

$3.39

10. Threes Brewing Vliet Pilsner 4pk 16oz Can 5.0% ABV

Golden in color, with a bit of haze and a mousse-like head, this pilsner finds a way to make both the bready malt and the earthy hops shine. It has a clean, dry finish and only the slightest bite of hops, leaving you feeling refreshed.

$16.99

11. pFriem Pilsner 500ml

pFriem Family Brewers strike a balance between German and Czech pilsners by showcasing the crisp, clean taste of malt and the floral citrus flavors of European hops equally. The refreshing burst of carbonation is the cherry on top of this fine brew from the lush Pacific Northwest.

$4.49

12. Trumer Pils 12pk 12oz Btl

This exquisite pilsner is brewed with a dedication to craftsmanship that’s the signature of its heritage. This German-style pilsner uses Trumer’s proprietary yeast and noble hops for a taste all its own. Its vigorous carbonation and dry, crisp finish will satisfy the most discerning beer drinker.

$18.99

13. Lionshead Light 12pk 12oz Can 3.9% ABV

One of the best light pilsners out there, Lionshead Light delivers a satisfying beer drinking experience. Brewed using premium American malt and hops, it’s the flagship pilsner with a pale straw color and subtle, sweet aroma. It’s an easy-to-drink beer with a refreshing, bitter finish.

$8.95

14. Bitburger Pils Single 16.9oz Btl

This is an excellent, straightforward pilsner for people who want a delicious, crisp beer. Brewed in the German tradition, this straw-colored pilsner is crystal-clear and perfectly hopped to boast a light taste. Enjoy a lasting foam head with extra-fine bubbles.

$2.49

15. Kulshan Brewing Seasonal - Pilsner 6pk 12oz Can

Crisp and refreshing with balanced bitterness, this pilsner is the epitome of balance, simplicity, and flavor. It showcases the finest German malt and noble hops. And it combines clean, bready malt flavors to complement its herbal, floral, and spicy notes. Beer doesn’t get better than this. Beer doesn’t get better than this.

$11.49

16. Lagunitas Pils 12pk 12oz Btl 6.0% ABV

Lagunitas only brews one pilsner, and they put their all into it. Brewed in the Czech style, using Saaz hops and the best strains of bottom-fermenting yeast, it’s a light, clear, and refreshing beer full of the complex pilsner flavor you crave.

$21.49

FAQ

What are pilsners beers?

You’re probably asking yourself, “What is a Pilsner?” The short answer is that pilsners are considered the most popular beer style in the world. The long answer is far more interesting.

Pilsner beer was first produced in 1842 by brewer Josef Groll at the Pilsner Urquell Brewery in the town of Plzeň. He combined malty barley and Saaz noble hops with yeast and the town’s lightly mineralized water. Groll’s beer proved immensely popular with German immigrants, who then brought it back home and shared it with the world.

Pilsners are brewed using kilned barley pilsner malts, noble hops, lager yeast, and water. The toasted malt gives the beer the initial grainy sweetness and floral aroma. At the same time, the bitterness of the hops creates a crisp, refreshing finish. 

When you pour a glass of pilsner, the first thing you notice is the thick, creamy head. It’s a highly carbonated beer, creating foam, medium body, and crisp mouthfeel. The next thing you’ll see is the yellow color that varies from deep gold to light straw, depending on the style of pilsner you’re drinking. 

There are four main styles of pilsner, all differentiated by their color and the types of malt they use.

Czech Pilsners: Czech pilsner beers are golden yellow and brewed using pilsner malt and Saaz hops.

German Pilsners: German variations tend to be light straw to gold in color and have a more bitter or earthy taste due to the delicate flavor of German barley malt and spicier local hop varieties.

European Pilsners: European brewers incorporate other grains into their malt for a pilsner that has a brighter, sweeter taste.

American Pilsners: American pilsners have a sweeter, more malty flavor than their European counterparts because they use up to 25% corn or rice in their malt.

What is the difference between Pilsen and Lager Beers?

The thing to remember when debating pilsner vs. lager beers is that all pilsner beers are lagers, but not all lager beers are pilsners. 

Lagers are bottom-fermenting beers, meaning that the yeast used in the fermentation process sinks to the bottom of the vat. In contrast, ales are brewed with yeast that floats at the top. Where pilsners differentiate themselves is their flavor. Pilsners are a pale lager with a spicier flavor, thanks to the addition of Saaz noble hops. These bitter flowers compensate for the sweetness inherent in grain malts, placing the taste of hops at the forefront of the flavor profile.

Why are pilsners so popular?

Pilsners have been popular since their inception in the 1800s. German immigrants brought the brew with them wherever they settled, spreading it across the globe and introducing it to new markets. 

People keep drinking pilsner today in part because of the taste. It’s a light, easy-to-drink beer. It has a lighter flavor than other craft beers, and the bite of bitterness combined with its effervescent texture adds to its thirst-quenching qualities. 

Finally, pilsners are low in alcohol by volume (ABV), sitting between 4% and 6%. So you’re not going to feel the effects of the alcohol as quickly. If you’re looking to be the responsible one on a wild Saturday night with friends, your best bet is to drink a quality craft pilsner.