Penn Pilsner - Pennsylvania Brewing Company

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Majestic dark gold in the pint glass. Nice head retention. Dark for a pilsner, and I like that.

Sweet and bright aroma. Hoppy zings amidst a lightly toasted malt. That German yeast strain is showing off a bit.

Mild hop bitterness blends into the brew with a floral quality. Big sourdough kind of flavor from the grain bill. Husky, a little spicy; the yeast is certainly contributing. Nice mineral quality worth noting.

Medium body with medium-high carbonation that blanches the tongue. Love a pilsner with something to it.

Flagship beer with flagship taste.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2012 03:47:40 | More by thecheapies

devinoconnor

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this at a wedding near Pittsburgh. Pleasantly surprised.

Poured a light brown, dark orange muddy color with plenty of head and carbonation.

Smell was malty and hoppy. More hops than you'd expect from a beer labeled "pilsner" or "Vienna lager."

Taste is very well-balanced between the malt and hops. Full-bodied yet easy-drinking. Sweet and smooth, caramel and chocolate notes as well.

Nice beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2011 18:23:59 | More by devinoconnor

weller1js

West Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

appearance: pours a healthy brownish-amber, moderately carbonated with white creamy/bubbly foam, similar lacing.

smell: light, fresh malts, very mellow.

taste: begins clean, malts are medium-bodied with a slight earthiness, hops have a expectable, crisp bitterness that lingers into the finish.

overall: premium lager-pilsner, all the attributes are there, nothing to rave about, but nothing to knock about it either.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2011 00:38:58 | More by weller1js

sulldaddy

Connecticut

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

I had this beer on draft at Brass Rail Beverage while shopping for mixed 6 packs.
The beer is cold in a pint glass and arrives with a clear copper hue and minimal beige edge layer of head.
Aroma is some grainy malt and a bit of toffee. There are some spicy hops but overall the aroma is mild.
First sip reveals an average to light body with fine yet prickly carbonation. The beer does go down very easy and is a nice refreshing brew on a hot day.
Flavor is similar to the nose advertises with grainy malt and a little toffee, actually just a bit of general malt sweetness. There are a bit of spicy hops but not huge flavor contribution. I enjoy this beer but was thrown by ordering a pilsner and getting a vienna lager.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2011 03:44:30 | More by sulldaddy

david18

New York

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

I was surprised, almost disappointed to see this beer on draft at my local beer bar as I usually think of Pennsylvania Brewing Company as almost a macro brewery. However, I tried it when it was on and was surprisingly please with the fresh and good flavor.

Color was a very light straw. The beer was quite clear and the carbonation was active throughout.

Aroma was a little low but i don't expect much more of a beer of this style.

Taste, again, was interesting, nice and very refreshing.

Overall, I enjoyed it and would have it again when in the mood for a pilsner/light lager.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2011 03:25:00 | More by david18

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer pous a golden color with a small long lasting head. The smell was weak and watery. The taste is light and a bit sweet. Very easy to drink and very nicely caronated, could use more flavor. Overall not bad could be better, like a watered down sam adams.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2011 02:32:58 | More by vette2006c5r

mwa423

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - a light golden color with a white head that leaves some lacing.

S - Aroma is light but mostly grainy and sweet malts.

T - Taste is decent for the style, full flavored with a perfect light hop bite.

M/D - mouthfeel is a itthin but not bad, leaves a pleasant hop aftertaste. Reasonably drinkable but I think the flavor profile might get to me after a few.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2010 01:45:33 | More by mwa423

chefoz

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

An amber Vienna-style lager beer that is smooth, mellow and full bodied, with delicate hop aroma. A session beer head and shoulders above most in this style. I have this beer on tap in my man cave, it is easy drinking, great tasting and priced perfectly. A must try for someone who wants to get into drinking craft brews.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2010 13:39:52 | More by chefoz

Jayli

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Consumed 11/9 at Regatta in the Pittsburgh Marriot
Served in a pint glass

A: This beer pours a nice, clear, copper color with a 1/4 inch of white head that recedes immediately. Spots of lacing are left on the glass.

S: Nose is grainy, hearty bready malts and a hint of sweet caramel malt.

T: Taste starts with a bit grain lending to a caramel and grassy hops flavoring. A hearty bready malt fills out the middle with a finish that brings up some pale malts, a resurgence of grain and grassy earthy tones.

M: Lighter side of medium body, medium carbonation, clean and crisp.

D: Goes down easily, very tasty, mild kick, nice representation of style. This beer completely hit the spot. One to drink for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 18:56:27 | More by Jayli

bamadog

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Growing up in Pennsylvania, one would think I would have had plenty of this, but alas, I think I spent most of my time there just drinking Yuengling. Anyway, pour was from the tap to a pint glass.

Appearance: Straw yellow/gold on the pour; comes with a one finger head that is perfectly white and looks like merengue; body is clear and shows light carbonation; as head fades quickly, it leaves a light curtain of lacing and then eventually just spotty bits along the sides of the glass.

Smell: Very faint if anything at all. Picked up a mild graininess, but that's it. Sigh.

Taste: Nice and grainy, almost like a light barley and wheaty bread; strong presence of yeast on the palate leaves it tasting a bit sweet and balances out the grains quite nicely; light, crisp and refreshing overall - I was pleased.

Mouthfeel: Body is "wet," nicely carbonated and very smooth - not sharp at all; leaves a mildly sticky coating on the roof of the mouth, and it's pretty much what I'd expect from a pilsner in terms of the mouthfeel.

Drinkability: High as heaven with this one - very tasty beer and nice light body that went well with the food (Italian, if you're wondering); not heavy in the least and this would be an easy beer to drink in a session with that really low 4% ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

09-21-2009 02:30:51 | More by bamadog

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Comes out of the tap a clear golden yellow with a thick white head. Aroma is crisp, malty and quite inviting. Flavor is crisp and malty like a typical pilsner, with a fruity undertone and more rounded out than most pilsners I have tried. Texture is tingly, lively and sassy. I am not a big fan of pilsners or lagers, but I did like this one and I recommend it to pilsner lovers.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2009 01:21:39 | More by Cyberkedi

FrothyBeverage

Pennsylvania

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

This beer has a rich golden amber color with hues of autum orange. Virtually no head or lace. It has a somewhat sour yeasty smell, not that appealing. The taste is very bready and yeasty with some hints of carmel. Leaves a nice tingling sensation throughout the mouth. If find this beer quite drinkable. Pairs well with wings.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2009 21:49:21 | More by FrothyBeverage

mjw06

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a true copper color, not amber or dark golden, but purely copper. mild transparency and a nice sized head with excellent retention and leaves a good lacing.

a descent sweet smell of caramel malts.

a remarkably well balanced brew of sweet caramel malt, that finishes with a mild hoppiness that includes some light floral notes.

medium bodied with perfect carbonation that is unnoticeable. what does that mean? well the only way you would notice the carbonation in this brew is if you went looking for it. wasnt too much and wasnt too little... just enough compliment taste and drinkability.

this has easily become one of my favorites, just wish it was more available.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2009 16:36:24 | More by mjw06

Kolsch

Pennsylvania

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

Kegged date 2.22.09. Home tap system.

Having had this beer many times, I know to call this a "Pilsner" is not describing it correctly. This is closer to a Vienna Lager as described by BA or even a Marzen as far as style goes.

Appearance is light amber with a small cusp of head that remains throughout.

Smell is of slight biscuit dough.

Taste is pretty smooth. Touch of sweetness upfront, then bittering hops in the background. This reminds me a lot of Victory's Octoberfest, which is not a bad thing.

Overall, this is really a good beer, just don't call it a Pilsner. Very sessionable at 5%.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2009 12:48:51 | More by Kolsch

MP72

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Nice clear light amber color with a white head that didnt last too long.

S- A little grassy with some breadiness and mild hops.

T-Very smooth and not overly complex I am usually an Ale drinker but I really like the malt sweetness and hop balance. Tastes crisp and dry throughout.

M- Smooth and medium bodied

D-Very drinkable , a great session brew and luckily brewed 20 minutes from me and always available.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2008 21:23:40 | More by MP72

Herrbrokt

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap in Pittsburgh

Light brown orange - no head by the time it was set down.
mild lacing

Smells of sweet caramel and dry grain

Not bad. Caramel again, little toast. Hops can be felt from beginning to end.

the hops keep this one crisp. not overly carbonated. nice

Overall not a bad pick. Not a champion but not bad.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2008 03:14:30 | More by Herrbrokt

oneeye

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this one on-tap at PNC Park too.

Poured into a plastic cup. But a amberish deep copper good looking beer. Big head with lots of lace. Smells sweet. And the taste backs that up. Sweet malts upfront with an earth graininess(is that a word)with a sweet aftertaste. Mouthfeel is creamy and crisp. Nice tasty beer that goes down well at the baseball game.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2008 16:13:33 | More by oneeye

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A cloudy dark amber color. Some white head that doesn't last too long, but leaves some lacing on the side of the glass.

Not a strong smell, mostly caramel malts.

Hops up front, piney and citrus blends. Finishes smooth with some good strong bready, caramel malts. Balanced.

Medium bodied for a pilsner, pretty good mouthfeel.

Nicely drinkable due to balane, a solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2008 19:04:31 | More by Hojaminbag

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

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

I had this beer on-tap at Jean Bonnet;s Tavern in Bedford, Pa.
Appearance: An oddly dark color sort of a light amber with a big head holding well and producing good lacing.
Smell: Nothing impressive just a general light malt aroma.
Taste: Fruity (strawberry), very malty to boot.
Mouthfeel: Smooth with spots of ridgity.
Drinkability: Decent, not to good.
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2007 00:14:48 | More by treehugger02010

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

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

A- transparent dark yellow body with thin white head that disappears quickly. No lacing left behind in the glass.

S- some malt and light hops.

T- Initial taste is quite malty. This is followed by a light refreshing hop aftertaste. Good but nothing special.

M- Light carbonation and medium weight body. Well done.

D- This was pretty good overall. I'd session it if it was the best choice available. My least favorite of the Penn Brews that I have had so far and it happens to be their flagship. go figure. Its a decent pils but I probably won't have it again being that I like thier other brews so much.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2007 16:12:26 | More by PittBeerGirl

jcdiflorio

West Virginia

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

Already reviewed this beer in the bottle version, just tapped a keg of it the other day on my new draft system (still missing a shank for the third tap) was drinking on the deck on Memorial Day really enjoying it and decided to review the draft version.

Poured into a tall 22oz pilsner glass left about a 1" head on it,a slightly off-white color with good retention. The color was deep golden with an amber hue very clear.Very lively throughtout constant streams of tiny bubbles racing to the surface.

Very fruity aroma,seemed more so than the bottled version. Very clean with a nice light toasted carmell aroma. Some delicate perfumy/flowery aroma making the aroma very inviting.

Clean.fruity taste with a toasty carmellness with some slight grassyness, leaves a sweet malty taste with pleasing fruity tartness lingering on the palate. Well balanced and very tasty.

A fairly light mouthfeel,tangy with some slight cloying. Very easy drinking, could drink this beer all summer long. Very good summer session beer. Could keep this beer on tap all summer long

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2007 22:42:47 | More by jcdiflorio

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

All Penn beers taste best when fresh and on tap this is a very good beer. The consistency once was a problem but with more in house brewing this beer seems to taste good every pour. Not really a pilsner, not really a Vienna, but a very good lager. A little bit sweet but very easy to drink more than one. Highly recommended when in Pittsburgh.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2007 01:33:04 | More by ejimhof

jockstrappy

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a transparent copper color with a short-lived white head. Aroma consists of mild fruit notes with a touch of the hops...not much else there. Taste begins with some slight hop bitterness, with a hint of orange peel, and finishes with a bread / cereal like grain character that lingers for a bit. Light bodied...carbonation might be too much, but doesn't hurt it's drinkability. Goes down the hatch very easy. Not exactly a benchmark for the style, but it is a quality beer in it's own right, and is very much available in the surrounding areas.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2007 00:56:27 | More by jockstrappy

Boto

Connecticut

3.33/5  rDev -8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Draught: This one pours a slightly dark, mostly clear golden color. Mine had very little head and only a little bit of lacing. The aroma was a bit lighter. There were some notes of sweetness, otherwise fairly non-descript. The taste was OK. A decent beer, but not a true pilsner. Some malts, a hair bitter. Not a bad session beer, but nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2007 01:16:52 | More by Boto

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On draught at Heinz Field. Amber color with a medium thin beige head with decent retention. Cannot comment on lacing as it was a plastic cup. Lightly malty aroma. Medium-bodied and sweet with malt and caramel flavors. There is a touch of hops character too. The finish is mostly sweet but has touches of bitterness here and there. Pretty average all around.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2006 15:26:51 | More by Dogbrick