Penn Pilsner - Pennsylvania Brewing Company

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

3.31/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Into a pilsener:

A: clear amber body with a one finger white foamy head that leaves some clingy foamy lacing in rings, carbonation is rising at a moderate pace

S: malts, light hops

T: sweet and bready

M: light, sessionable, carbonation is right on for the style

O: this is good for a Vienna lager, I would come back if I'm in the PA area and want a Vienna lager

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 19:22:02 | More by kangarooAdam59

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 oz.

Pours a clear amber gold with white suds for a head.

Has a coppery and caramel malt smell.

Flavor is of coppery caramel malts and very mild hops with some bready undertones.

Medium to light body with a stinging carbonation on the roof of the mouth.

A solid drinkable pilsner which goes down smooth and pairs well with average food like a burger or a chicken sandwich. Doesn't try to do much more than that. Just a solid lager, worth having.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 22:22:27 | More by Cylinsier

searsclone

Arizona

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

bottle into a pint glass

clear honey color with little head and no lace

smell is white grape and sweet grains

taste is sweet grape with a good hop balance and a quick metallic aftertaste

moutfeel is thin but nicely carbonated

easy to drink and worth a try

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 02:49:41 | More by searsclone

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2012-11-23 in Pittsburgh, PA

A - Moderately clear dark gold with a 1-finger white head. Good lacing.

S - Lightly toasted malt, very mild caramel, white bread and a touch of lemon. Not real strong.

T - A moderate amount of malt presence (toasted grain and mild caramel) for such a low ABV brew. Touch of lemon citrus but nowhere near their Kaiser Pils. Touch of grass and a bit of metallic spice. Finishes clean.

M - Light body and light-medium carbonation. Watery.

O - Pretty decent for a 4% brew. More malt-focused than crisp/bitter hops. Had this in a Pilsnerpalooza tasting with their Kaiser Pils, Troegs Sunshine Pils, Victory Prima Pils, Church Breworks Celestial Gold Pils. and Victory-Fat Heads collaboration "United" Pils. This Penn Pilsner finished below all the above although it shouldn't be discounted to the point of ignoring it. It certainly gets props for being sessionable and decent-tasting.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 20:46:12 | More by Tucquan

dungledauf

Pennsylvania

1/5  rDev -72.4%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Pour into pint glass from 12 ounce bottle. Case said drink by date is February 8, 2013. Case stated amber-style Vienna lager with smooth, mellow, full-bodied taste and delicate hop aroma. 2-row barley and caramel roasted malt used.

Appearance: Slight head with disappered quickly and no lacing on the glass on the way down, straw-colored, little to zero carbonation, lifeless, dull, and very cloudy which seems unusual for a lager.

Smell: Beyond belief because there was no smell expecially no hop aroma whatsoever. This did not even smell like a beer.

Taste: Little yeast and malt flavor especially in the after taste.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, creamy with a medium body.

Overall: This was not a Vienna-lager. Whatever style it represented it was awful. I am confident to say this because I have enjoyed this beer for over 15 years. This was not even comparable to Sam Adams Boston Lager or the Great Lakes Eliot Ness. This brewery does not consistently produce this product well. I am not sure why this beer is totally different than in the past, but I will never order it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 11:50:57 | More by dungledauf

ChuckGeramita

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Great alternative to the mainstream beers for social gatherings, tailgates, etc. when quantity is an issue. You can drink it and drink it and keep going.

Not for the beer snob who wants to have 1 or 2 for something spectacular.

Moderately overpriced but crushes tha mainstream Miller, Coors, and Budweisers of the world.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 18:23:51 | More by ChuckGeramita

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep gold color, with a large white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains lager yeast, caramelized malts and some of hops.

T: The taste starts out with a mild sweetness from flavors of caramel, honey and fruit followed by a strong breadiness from lager yeast and a thin but hearty malt character. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly bready and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer to drink for a while if you’re in the mood for the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 20:20:15 | More by TheManiacalOne

Buggies

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm not sure what style I would place this one in. Definitely not a pilsner though. Otherwise, a great little flagship.

Smells a little sweet with slight notes of corn. A little fruitiness in the nose as well. Tastes just as good. You get the corn and slight fruitiness, but it is also slightly malty with hints of caramel and a little citrus or fruit.

It is also balanced quite nicely. A noticeable bitterness cuts of all that other jazz and leaves the finish slightly dry.

Get this as it is good. Very drinkable! But keep in mind this isn't a traditional pilsner as the label suggests.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 22:25:06 | More by Buggies

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle - $1.79 at Total Wine & More in Atlanta, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a lightly hazed, golden-amber body with a slim, brief, white head.

Smell: Grainy, doughy nose with aromatic hop notes scented of grated spices.

Taste: Pilsner maltiness rounded with a smooth breadiness and lightly sweet accents. Very subtle fruitiness. Restrained German hop spiciness with just enough bitterness to balance things out. However, the spiciness, alongside the grainy pils quality dials up a bit before the dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Overall: Served itself well as an aperitif before heating up some sad, old leftovers. Thanks, Penn Pilsner, thank you for that.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 18:32:36 | More by ChainGangGuy

keeganfrank

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Frosty gold beer with a thin, soapy head. Has a bready, fruity aroma with hints of spice and orange. Flavors of fruit, oats, light spice; the taste is very crisp and dry. Has a good body without seeming heavy-this is certainly something I'd drink again.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 21:42:31 | More by keeganfrank

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an A-B flute on 1/5/12

Pours a rather hazy, medium dark gold. Foam is ample to say the least - three fingers worth (the top of which muffin-topping over the glass). The head deflates slowly. Impressive lace.

Toasty grains and some bread are at the fore of the aroma, which also finds grassy notes and a metallic hop twinge. Some fluffy yeast overtones, too. The feel is light and leans toward the watery side, while massive carbonation stands if for where flavor should be. While that's something of an exaggeration, I would prefer a more robust grain presence to flesh things out. Grassy hops kick of their own accord and are inclined to at least arm wrestle the carbonation. Save for a slightly dusty yeast back end, the finish is pretty clean.

This is ok (though I finds it's much better as it warms). That said, I have fond memories of visiting Penn Brewing a few years ago and I reckon I have a soft spot for several of their beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 02:11:04 | More by Ryan011235

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

One of the very few beers I haven't had yet from this brewery. Poured into my Samuel smith British pint.

A - A bit darker than expected more of a deep yellow similar to a pale ale. A nice inch of fluffy wheat head with mild sticky lacing.

S - Smells of mild grassy hops and sweet pilsner malts.

T - Muddled grain flavors mash with touches of bitter hops and butter. Slightly sour. Kind of bleh.

M - Light to medium pretty smooth.

Overall this is their flagship beer and I must say I don't like it as much as the gold or dark. Ow well can't love them all.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 00:58:04 | More by DrDemento456

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours medium gold with a towering thick head. No lace, but really pretty beer.

Lots of grain in the nose, some bready notes, and some floral hops.

Grain and bread up front, with a good sharp twang of bitterness from the hops. Some green gassy notes as well, but these turn a bit sour as the palate clears, and this is a factor that I don't like. Finishes crisp with good firm hop bitterness.

Medium body, good carbonation.

Ok brew. The tart edge threw me, and is really a distraction and a negative trait. A bit of a raw beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 01:19:02 | More by OtherShoe2

horshack7

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Weel this one has a pale amber color with about a fingers worth of head that thins out a little quick but leaves behind a little lacing.

Aroma: Hops are present with a mix of citurs and floral hop. Hints of honey in the middle. At the end is a decent sweetness from the malt.

Taste: A crisp mouthfeel to start with a grainy and a little bit biscuity texture. Malts have a caramel sweetness with a touch of toffee. Hops are present with a good bite on the floral side.

Notes: A very drinkable Lager overall. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 04:38:24 | More by horshack7

ActonBrewer

Massachusetts

2.85/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A -Unfortunately the appearance was the best part. Nice head and a beautiful golden lager

S - Almost reminds me of a sweaty sock. Not sure what I was picking up, but the smell bothered me.

T - Lemony and grassy. The smell strongly effected my ability to taste this beer.

M - Decent carb and body.

O - Not my kind of beer. Nothing special going on overall. The smell ruined it for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 03:37:33 | More by ActonBrewer

DerekP

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Paired my last Penn Pilsner (from a six-pack) with a filet of steelhead trout, spiced rice and beans (gifted leftovers) and stale bread. I pan-fried the trout and poured the beer in a Czech pilsner glass like a pro. As tasty as the meal was, let's focus on the brew.

Penn Pilsner looks golden-copper with a frothy, thin white head. Carbonation bubbles rising to the top.

Smells of light, golden malts. Some floral notes from hops. An underlying sweetness, but very balanced.

Dry flashes, a malted body, and a prickly finish. A dash of caramel malts sweetens the delivery and follows through to the finish.

Some days this hits the spot and other days, not so much. Today happens to be a good one. Sessionable at what, 4% ABV? Have mercy.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 22:40:56 | More by DerekP

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clean orange-ish to yellow color with an off white head. In the aroma, saaz hops and a small caramel like roast. In the taste, saaz hops, a caramel like roast, quite crisp and a nice dryer end. A hop bite and lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a dry pils hop in the aftertaste. Big hop presence and mellow overall.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 16:05:42 | More by OWSLEY069

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Good starting head, although the bubbles are little large. Dark gold color with a minor haze.

Crisp lighter malt aroma with a pleasant floral hop smell. Slightly sour nose.

Richer body than I would expect. Comes across like a pale ale. The hop is less flowery than the Czech versions of pils. Fairly typical malt base.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 01:49:13 | More by smcolw

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A fizzy head reaches the top of the SA PP glass but fades semi quickly over brilliantly clear tan wheat slight golden brown yellowish color.

Nose has some light lagers, light wheat, hint of toasted malts, a slight DME like aroma, touch of sweet malts, all that is pretty light too.

Taste is lager like, a semi sweet and very light fruity lager, but a hint of bad lager too (light skunk like or bad DME like), some light wheats and toasted malts, hints of grassy hops and slight bitterness, little mint, light fruit. Finishes slightly drier, more mint and grassy hops, bit of bitterness, light lager flavors.

Mouth is lighter bodied with good carb.

Overall not bad, a nice easy drinking summer beer, hops are an interesting character, the light DME like aroma and flavor takes away from it a bit, but it's not that strong.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 21:18:23 | More by jlindros

tigg924

Massachusetts

2.9/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: 1/2 inch head, gold in color, clear, medium-high carbonation

Smell: big caramel and some grass

Taste: bread, grass, and some floral hops. i just do not feel the flavors come together here.

Mouthfeel: high carbonation, medium bodied, sweet start with a slightly dry bitter middle.

Overall: A disappointment for me. This smelled so good, but the taste fell flat as the flavors really just did not mesh well. I have had lots better in the style and will pass on this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 15:43:35 | More by tigg924

cooch69

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew poured a light copper. It was as clear as can be and it came with only a few strings of lace on top.

Nose comes off immediatly as a Lager due to the extremely obvious clean sulfuric character. Also very clean crisp sweet bready caramelly malts.

Taste is immediatly sweet malts with a nice amount of balancing hops, mostly bittering. Malts come back and push through the finish to leave the mouth refreshed.

Many Penn beers and never a bad one yet.

Hip Hip Horay Penn Brewery!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 04:11:53 | More by cooch69

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A bottle left over from the variety pack I bought for Superbowl weekend. Poured into my Prima Pils glass.

A: With a gentle pour this beer appears golden to light copper in color with one finger head of white foam. Gentle carbonation sifts upwards though the tall pilsner glass.

S: At first, a little nutty from the malts. No hops. Rather clean smelling after putting the German malt aromas aside.

T: Nutty, toasty, and bready malt flavors. Slight hop taste comes afterwards - likely of the noble hop family.

M: A light tasting, slightly bitter beer with an even balance between the malt & hops.

O: Not a bad beer by any means. Not great, yet not subpar by any means. Having lived in Pittsburgh for a number of years, I'll come back to this one if nothing other than supporting a PA brewery. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 19:41:40 | More by jwhancher

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pale gold with a one inch white head that has fairly good retention and lacing down the glass. A slight cloudiness to the body is the only detriment.

S - Crisp, lemon grass hop aromas with some caramel and bread like malts in the background. A little weak overall, but nice.

T - Bread maltiness, then a touch of caramel and finishing with a slightly bitter hop finish.

M - Light side of a medium body with lively carbonation, mostly clean on the finish with a touch of residual sweetness.

D - A good representation of the style, but nothing in particular that would make me come back to it.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2011 22:08:02 | More by garuda

rings

Michigan

3.4/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Their Penn Pilsner has been considered their flagship brand from the beginning and it took home a Gold Medal in 2001 from the National Beverage Tasting Institute.

The first thing I noticed in pouring the beer was the bright, copper color, which is obviously a little darker than one might expect to see in a typical pilsner. It also loses its head rather quickly, even if the glass does manage to maintain its lacing. A true pilsner, it is said, should take seven minutes to pour, as the slowly evaporating head will not allow it to be poured more quickly.

The first taste is surprisingly sweet and it's apparent the brewers are pursuing a more Bavarian-style pilsner (as opposed to the paler and crisper Bohemian versions or the drier Northern German varieties). With a hoppy Hallertau bite that's rather more of a nibble, this brew could easily be considered a Vienna lager, rather than a true pils. Still, it's a very nice, drinkable brew that would serve its consumer well over the course of an evening.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 20:58:13 | More by rings

muskiecf

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +32%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Although this is titled a pilsner it is fact a Vienna Lager. It's a traditional German recipe that's dead on for the style according to the homebrewing bible- Brewing the Classic Styles. extremely smooth and slightly sweet with a dry finish. Low carbonation makes them easy to drink and adds smoothness.I love this beer.

The original owner recently came out of retirement and bought the brewery back. He was upset that his labor of passion was run into the ground and eventually closed and contracted the brewing out of the area. Well Penn Brewery is back and is now brewing on site again and it shows. This is the Penn Brew we loved not that other stuff that just had their name on it. This is what Pennsylvania German craft beer is all about my friends. Thanks to Tom Pastorius for bringing traditonal German craft beer back to Pittsburgh. Try it. It's a great lager. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2010 16:24:44 | More by muskiecf