European Pale Lager - Northern German Pilsner

BJCP 02-B

AROMA

May feature grain and distinctive, flowery, noble hops. Clean, no fruitiness or esters.

APPEARANCE

Straw to medium gold, clear, with a creamy white head.

FLAVOR

Crisp, dry and bitter. Maltiness is low, although some grainy flavors and slight sweetness are acceptable. Hop bitterness dominates taste and continues through the finish and lingers into the aftertaste. Hop flavor can range from low to high but should only be derived from German noble hops. Clean, no fruitiness or esters.

MOUTH FEEL

Light to medium body, medium to high carbonation.

OVERALL

Crisp, clean, refreshing beer that prominently features noble German hop bitterness accentuated by sulfates in the water.

INGREDIENTS

Pilsner malt, German hop varieties (especially noble varieties for taste and aroma), medium sulfate water.

COMMENTS

Drier than Bohemian Pilsner with a bitterness that tends to linger more in the aftertaste due to higher attenuation and higher-sulfate water.

HISTORY

A copy of Bohemian Pilsner adapted to brewing conditions in Northern and Central Germany.

COMMERCIAL EXAMPLES

Bitburger, Kulmbacher Moenchshof Pils, Jever Pils, Holsten Pils, Paulaner Premium Lager.

VITAL

OG: 1.044-1.050 IBUs: 25-45 FG: 1.008-1.013 SRM: 2-4 ABV: 4.4-5.2%