Weihenstephaner Pilsner - Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

tectactoe

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Good ol' Weihenstephaner. Never been a "big fan" of pilsners, but perhaps it's just because I haven't had the right one yet. And also because the bulk of my pilsner experience is American Light Lager macro stuff. Anyway - this one pours a light straw color, almost like apple juice but maybe even a bit lighter. Nice clarity throughout, with a foamy and cloud-like white head that puffs up big and leaves some chunky lace, even upon first settling.

The aroma is certainly crisp, and it's got that pure, lager yeast aroma to it. Very "clean" and pure on the nostrils. Lemon and herbal zest is plentiful, maybe even some lemongrass? The hops have light grassy notes alongside a solid, mildly citric character. The malt also gives off a very clean and pure aroma - bready, with a very faint sweetness. There's an ever so slight metallic character in the aroma as well, but it's not nearly enough to be off-putting. Even upon warming, this one keeps its nice aromatic profile - it gets slightly more citrusy and the grassy tones take a back seat.

Weihen Pils hits the tongue feeling very crisp, something I've come to expect with the style. Up front, there's a light fruit melody - lemon zest, apple, mild citrus. A good under-body built with toasted cereal grains and light bread from the malt. Again - I can't stress enough how clean, pure, and refreshing this beer really is. The hops join in with a slightly floral and grassy tone, inducing a mild bitterness from about halfway through, right into the finish. Picking up some more earthy notes in the finish, especially as this warms up a little. Thin body, maybe more on the thicker-side of thin, lots of carbonation, crispy and dry in the finish.

So this is how a pilsner is supposed to taste, huh? This beer was pretty damn good - but that's typically to be expected from Weihenstephan. So clean, raw, pure, and nearly perfect within its element. This would be great to pound while outside on a hot, summer day. Easy to drink and easy to come around to - a benchmark for the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 18:15:53 | More by tectactoe

pin

Australia

2.5/5  rDev -34.6%

05-21-2013 22:16:05 | More by pin

mxchap

California

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%

05-21-2013 04:10:32 | More by mxchap

JeffTheJuice

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-20-2013 00:58:54 | More by JeffTheJuice

Brenden

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Birlliant pale gold in color with absolute clarity, this pils develops a pure white head one finger tall and fluffy with some heavy density to it. As it recedes, it leaves a tattered sheet of creamy lacing behind.
The nose is all flowery, herbal and grassy hops. Crackery dry malts balance. It's gently sweet as more floral notes make their way out. I like how American brewers have improved this style, giving it more, but it has a classic sense to it.
There's actually a pithy nature to the bitterness, something I didn't expect. It remains flowery and grassy, a touch herbal, with dryness from malts edging out the sweetness that was founf in the nose. The bitterness ends up raw, leafy and green while lingering lightly in the finish. While the pilsner has been improved, this is a good one.
Light-bodied with a crisp bite, it remains lively and is pretty clean overall as well. It goes into a dry finish that's still smooth.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:39:14 | More by Brenden

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -21.5%

05-19-2013 15:02:30 | More by ejimhof

xacidx

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-19-2013 03:24:07 | More by xacidx

Punky_Brewster

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%

05-18-2013 02:38:09 | More by Punky_Brewster

Danny1217

Florida

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-17-2013 03:21:16 | More by Danny1217

SpongeRuiner

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%

05-08-2013 01:48:35 | More by SpongeRuiner

jazztoloc

Mexico

5/5  rDev +30.9%

05-04-2013 02:22:03 | More by jazztoloc

SoCalBeerIdiot

California

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-29-2013 06:44:49 | More by SoCalBeerIdiot

droomyster

Virginia

4.58/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

This is the first time I've seen this beer sold in northern Virginia and I'm very glad I found it, as it is on of the very best pilsners I've ever had. I put this in the same class as Stoudt's pilsner and Victory Prima Pils. Pours a clear straw colored body with a bright white head that generously laces the glass. Very fresh, clean aromas here. Nothing icky to speak of, even after it warms. I get a lot of grassiness and sweeter notes of honey and cereal grains. On the palate this beer is very lively and electric. The aromas carry over perfectly to the front and mid-palate, where they are in perfect balance, before finishing on a refreshingly dry and almost tart. I enjoyed having it with an assortment of cheeses and berries. An excellent choice as the weather warms.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 06:17:17 | More by droomyster

SFNC

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-10-2013 22:30:38 | More by SFNC

barnzy78

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle, pours pale golden in color topped with a frothy white head, unbelievable clarity, good head retention, and some lacing is left at the top of the glass. Grassy aroma, pilsener malt, noble hop, fresh. Tastes are sharp & crisp, grassy, biscuity pilsener malt. Exceptionally smooth and finishes clean. World-class German Pilsener.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 01:02:09 | More by barnzy78

Dan4130

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I am a great fan of Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier so I decided to get a single of their Pils. The taste is sort of reminiscent of that beer at first sample. It is a solid beer, in my mind not the definitive Pilsner, but solid beer none the less. I am glad I only got a single as it was not that interesting to keep my interest.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 02:26:57 | More by Dan4130

rolltide8425

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-06-2013 21:02:29 | More by rolltide8425

NickThePyro

Washington

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-04-2013 01:12:52 | More by NickThePyro

sonorb7

Australia

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-31-2013 12:56:21 | More by sonorb7

Lukass

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

03-29-2013 22:20:37 | More by Lukass

tenacioustomato

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-29-2013 07:23:45 | More by tenacioustomato

JDavidRice

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-24-2013 23:26:20 | More by JDavidRice

hermit990

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

03-23-2013 02:06:47 | More by hermit990

DavidBart

New York

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-19-2013 19:57:16 | More by DavidBart

Celtics76

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +4.7%

03-18-2013 17:40:22 | More by Celtics76