Real beer geeks like to dispute the merits of substyles such as Bohemian pilsners, German pilsners, and American pilsners, but for most of us these are just variations on the same style. In general, pilsner tends to be a fairly delicate beer, so if you have a choice, go for the freshest one available. However, there are some that really do stand out from the crowd.
Why it's best: This is the most amazing pilsner you will ever taste. As soon as you open the bottle, the aroma itself is distinctive. It's a blend of pure malt with the delicate scent of fine Czech hops. Instead of the pale, washed-out color of most American mass market beers, Czechvar is a rich, deep golden, giving you a clue that it's an all-malt beers with no rice or corn adjuncts. The second surprise is that this is actually a full-bodied beer with a rounded, almost chewy mouthfeel. This is a flavor you can practically sink your teeth into, yet it's perfectly refreshing. No other brewer has ever been able to duplicate the incredible perfection of this beer. Known as Budweiser Budvar in most of Europe, there has been an ongoing dispute with Anheuser-Busch over the name for many decades. One caution: Due to the green bottles Czechvar is shipped in, be careful not to buy a sixpack that has been stored in bright light. Buy an unopened case if you can, since bright light has a harmful effect on it. A small difficulty, but well worth the trouble. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: While Czechvar is the best Bohemian pilsner, Bitburger is hands-down the best German pilsner I've found. "Bit" has slightly more bitterness than the Czech version, which makes it come across even crisper and more thirst-quenching. Where the floral quality of the Czech hops comes across in the Bohemian pilsner, the fine German hops in Bitburger don't intrude at all on the beautiful malt profile. The finish is somewhat dry, and there is a subtle graininess to the flavor that lasts all the way down your throat. This is just a beautiful everyday beer that anyone could love. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Where Bitburger is the classic German pils, Veltins represents the milder, less hoppy northern variety. Where a slight graininess is a standard pilsner quality, Veltins has managed to smooth that out for the northern German palate, and it's easy to see why it's a market leader in that part of Europe. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Obviously, the first great thing about any beer made in the USA is that it's going to be a little fresher than any imported beer. But Victory, a small Pennsylvania craft brewery, has pretty much nailed the style, while at the same time giving it an American twist by increasing the hop component. That doesn't make it out of style in my opinion, just a nice example of pushing the envelope. A marvelous beer that will go nicely with a very wide range of foods. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: You can almost never go wrong with a beer from Brooklyn, where the head brewer gets fanatical on the subject of authenticity when he creates his recipes. This pilsner is a good example of that. Very German in character, and shows off both the malt and the hops while blending them into a delightful complexity. This is the kind of beer our grandparents enjoyed, before Prohibition changed things. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
