The best thing about a lager is that it is very simple. Okay, the average beer drinker will think of lager as a refreshing, smooth and easy to drink light coloured beer with around 5% alcohol. This is not surprising, because this form of lager is by far the most widely consumed beer style in the world.
A Pilsner is actually a type of lager originating from the Czech Republic. The main difference between the two is the more aggressive use of hops in Pilsners and the difference in yeast used. That means that a Pilsner is really just a spicier and more hop flavored Lager.
Basics of Lager:
The word Lager is German word of Lagerung and means “to store”. The origin of the word is due to a method that German brewers adapted in the 19th century, which included long fermentation and storing periods, resulting in the name “Lager”.
Lagers use bottom-fermenting method, which the reason why it takes longer than other beer styles to ferment.
The cold temperatures used in fermentation in Lagers makes the yeast consume the sugar a lot slower, resulting in a more clean and crisp flavor.
So what is Pilsner, its history and how does it taste?
Pilsner is a type of lager, named after the Czech city Plzen. It was first brewed in 1842 by the Bavarian brewer Josef Groll. Groll was asked by the people of Plzen to come and brew a good and stable beer as the quality of the beer at that time was rather disappointing. He brought yeast from Bavaria along with him and used them to brew lagers. With this yeast and the very soft water of Plzen along with the refined hops that were available and a long lagering time, Groll made a clear beer, golden in colour and crisp in character. It was much appreciated, so much so that the beer still exists today..
What is an experience in tasting a Pilsner?
The best Pilsner mouth feel suggests like a coming along of early morning freshness with a snap of crispness, with each gulp (this is a beer to gulp rather than sip). It is elegantly poised between the sweetness of the Moravian (A region in Germany) malt and the spice and sensuality of the Saaz hop before it finishes with a firm collaboration of dryness and bitterness
What Makes Pilsner Special?
It is because of HOPS!! Saaz are “noble” hops for a good reason. They’re kind of all encompassing, bursting with flavor, bringing some earthiness along with that spice, plus some floral and green flavors. That’s why every Pilsner doesn’t taste like every lager.
Best way to experience Pilsner:
Pilsener Urquell – A must try and good place to start if you want to explore Pilsner in Czech Republic. Pilsener Urquell has a patent on the name Pilsner in the Czech Republic. All the other lagers are therefore called Světlý Ležák, which translates as Blond lager.
So this was about Lager Vs Pilsner Beer.
If you are confused with any two types of beer or any type of Beer,
then do write to me on beerwithsid@gmail.com and I would love to share my experience on the same
