A Pilsner is a style of beer developed in the town of Plzen (Pilsen) in the Czech Republic in the 1800’s. Also called pilsener or pils. It’s known for its golden color and has become of the most popular styles of beer in the world. The refreshing taste and low bitterness make it a great choice to introduce people into the world of beer.
What makes it a Pilsner?
Pilsners are a type of lager, meaning that they are brewed by lagering. The lagering process means that the beer is fermented for longer at a colder temperature than what is typically used. This typically takes several weeks at near freezing temperatures. The lagering process results in the crisp, refreshing taste that makes lagers so appealing.
Pilsners will be brewed with pilsner malt and lager yeast. Typically, they will use a slightly “spicy” hop. The choice of malt and hops is what makes a pilsner different than other lagers. To brew a Pilsner also requires very soft water, with almost 0 total hardness.
What does a Pilsner Taste Like?
Pilsners are light, refreshing beers. Many people who are only casual beer drinkers describe them as easy to drink, being the choice of many first-time beer drinkers. The hops are commonly floral with a moderate level of bitterness. Enough to taste some bitterness but not overbearing. (25-40 IBU) Pilsners may have a slight spiciness due to the hops selection as well.
Another notable feature of Pilsners is head retention. Pilsners are known to have foam that is a half inch to an inch deep. Creating that typical, beautiful head of foam overtop of the clear, pale beer.
Water Profile for the town of Pilsen
Pilsen has very soft water, which likely lent itself to the creation of the pilsner beer. The Calcium and Magnesium are naturally low, leading to a hardness measurement around 25 ppm.
Water Profile for Pilsners
This is an example of a water profile for a Pilsner, different brewers will use different water profiles based on personal preferences and local water sources. This should be used as a starting point when planning your water chemistry for a Pilsner.
It’s a combination of common recommendations for Pilsners and what the water profile is like for the town of Pilsen.
Calcium: 50 ppm
Magnesium: 0 ppm
Iron: 0 ppm
Sulfate: 0 ppm
Bicarbonate: 0 ppm
Alkalinity: 0 ppm
pH: 7
Chlorine: 0 ppm
Hardness: 0 ppm
