EKU Pils - Kulmbacher Brauerei AG

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

2.7/5  rDev -25%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Light lemony gold with a faint haze and a few whispery floaters that settle to the bottom in due course. The beer is crowned with a shockingly bright white head of pillowy, yet tacky, foam that sticks to the glass in cheesecloth-like sheets. The lace is too melty though and before long scattered shards are all that remain.

When I first popped the cap I smelled skunk. Now that the beer has had a chance to breathe, the little mammal seems to have wandered off. A faint odor trail remains, but I'm convinced that noble hops smell this way in some pilseners (even relatively fresh ones). There's some semblance of untoasted grain, but hops overpower all. I've smelled better.

The flavor is a little too harsh for me. It's tough to say what's causing it. My guess is a malt-to-hop ratio that's too low. The bitterness is impressively unsupported and is a sharp, pungent beast that keeps me from enjoying the flavor much at all. There's also a mild 'sucking on pennies' vibe that isn't fading.

The beer feels soft in the mouth thanks to an understated amount of carbonation, but that only makes the sharpness of the flavor that much more noticeable. I don't pick up any citrusiness, which I tend to like in this style. A little lemon zest often makes pilseners more drinkable for me.

EKU Pils just can't be recommended, there's too much unsupported bitterness. This beer is only for those who love the style and maybe not even for them. Best avoided.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2004 21:29:31 | More by BuckeyeNation

brentk56

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a clear golden color with a frothy head that leaves lots of lacing

Smell: Rather vague aroma with a touch of noble hops and some bready malt

Taste: Starts out with a zesty, bready flavor; after the swallow, the noble hop flavors kick in along with a residual sweetness; slightly metallic

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with zesty carbonation

Drinkability: While the flavor profile is a bit lacking, this is a clean and refreshing beer

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2006 23:04:27 | More by brentk56

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle - $2.99 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours out a perfectly clear, yellow body with a medium-sized, frothy, white head.

Smell: Moderate degree of sweet-scented graininess on the nose coupled with notes of noble hops and just a whisper of DMS.

Taste: Subtly grainy Pilsner malts with a modest touch of imparted sweetness. The maltiness is balanced well by spicy noble hops that also yield a slight, grassy herbaceousness. Rather small, fleeting traces of DMS. Finishes dry, crisp, and clean.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium-plus carbonation.

Drinkability: It's another hot, muggy, stinky in all the wrong places kind of day in Georgia and it's not even summertime yet and as much I enjoy a full-bodied, hearty stout, I was definitely looking for something lighter and more refreshing to satisfy. While it's not the punchiest pils on the block (this could be an issue of freshness, sadly there a no apparent dating codes on the bottle), it did fare well with me when it came to being refreshing and easily drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2010 21:58:07 | More by ChainGangGuy

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed at my favoite local German Bar. After passing up on this one for quite a while, I was pleasantly surprised when finally trying it. Very refreshing and clean, though normal in flavor profile. Noble hop aromas were fresh and bold for a pilsner. Earthy and lightly malty also. Flavors are moderately sweet, bready and slightly grainy. Hops provide more than just bittering--a good hop flavor with no light-striken qualities. Qute Bohemian in quality. Body is smooth and creamy. Finishes lightly bitter, grainy, yet clean. Great for washing down the Brats and Sauerkraut.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2005 14:54:39 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a straw color with a nice blooming head in my pilsner glas,smelled of bread mostly.Nice balanced taste to this beer bread-like at the start but a good dry,hoppy ending.Really good pilsner I would recommend people to try this one,eally if they like tis style of beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2003 13:04:24 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.6/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

If this "EKU" pils is the c lassic German pilsner, then what's the deal with Kulmbacher's Edelherb? Anyway, this stuff pours a clear straw topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises honey-dripped biscuit, light grass, and a kiss of flower petal. The taste holds notes of old biscuit, dank greens, iceberg lettuce, and a general sense that the world just isn't quite right, that the Matrix may, in fact, be real, and it's having a hard time coding the flavor of beer. Man, this stuff just jumped off a cliff and destroyed itself upon the rocks at the base (but the eyes are still open and trying to process the horror it just experienced). The body is a hefty light, with a light moderate carbonation and a slightly oily feel. Overall, this is the second time I've had this beer, and both times have been incredibly disappointing. And I made sure this stuff was pretty fresh, too, so it's not like I've been sitting on a bottle for years or anything. I've just gotta say it: This is a fairly crappy pils. *sigh*

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 17:21:01 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is crystal clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of carbonation. It poured with a ¼-finger high bright white head that died down leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and a web of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of bready malts in the nose. No hops are detectable.
T: The taste has flavors of bready malts and a bit of sweetness along with a slight amount of bitterness. There are some hints of spicy hops in the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and relatively clean on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and quite sessionable. It would seem to make a good pairing with food because the taste isn’t that strong.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 23:45:46 | More by metter98

WesWes

New York

2.73/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The beer pours a pale gold color with a thick frothy white head. The aroma is decent. It has a nice slightly malty scent with a bit of dry skunky aroma. The taste is average. It has a crisp, bitter flavor with a dry, yet weak finish. It has no malt character, but does reveal some bitter hops. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a low bodied beer with a boat load of carbonation. This is a hard drinker. I don't care for the taste at all. It has a nasty stale aftertaste. It's one and done for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2004 01:01:35 | More by WesWes

zeff80

Missouri

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a clear, straw yellow color with a two-finger, white, pillowy head of fluffy foam. It left thin traces of lace.

S - It smelled of grains and floral notes. No skunkiness thanks to a brown bottle.

T - It had a sharp, spicy hop bite for a pilsener. Good grain flavor with some caramel sweetness. Really well done.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light bodied lager with a fairly dry finish.

D - This was really pretty good. I feared it might be old because of the high price point. Quite a tasty German Pils.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 23:49:48 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.65/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

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

S: The aroma is of lager yeast, light caramelized malts, some honey and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of light malts, caramel and honey that are quickly followed by bready flavors of lager yeast and grain. There's a mild hops presence that bring some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

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

D: A little tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, it's a solid beer to drink for a while but there are better beers in the style that I would choose first.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 04:41:24 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

1.78/5  rDev -50.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I really want to find a German pils that I like. I feel bad that they all taste the same to me and it's rather disappointing. This beer is clear yellow it's earthy and mild flavored. Fresh cut grass on the taste too. Not much hops on the nose. Not my favorite style.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 23:20:36 | More by Knapp85

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.58/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a chilled EKU Pils glass, the beer shows a brilliantly clear, bright gold color and is topped by a an initially four-finger thick, pale, off-white colored head that leaves a touch of lacing as it falls back into the beer. A note of sweet grain moves to a touch of grassy, lightly toasted malt, to a lightly spicy grassy hop note and then back to a sweet, almost fruity grain/ hop note.

The beer is quite cold, which is just what I was looking for on this muggy, hot, summer afternoon. A nice, sharp, lightly herbal hop note is evident from the get go. The crisp hoppy bitterness carries through to a lightly lingering finish. Grassy grain notes linger with a touch of toasted grain and just a hint of malt sweetness; all of these really just add a subtle counterpoint to the crisp, herbal (with even a touch of lemon zest) hop character though. This is certainly not the best Pilsner out there, but it certainly hits the spot today and is in fact a tasty example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2006 21:39:23 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a clear gold with a medium white head, excellent retention, good lace.

S: Nice sourdough bready malt, very floral noble hopping.

T: As with the smell, a great mix of pils malt and floral hops, grassy.

M: Light-bodied, very crisp and easy drinking.

O: An excellent pils, I don't know why I don't drink it more often.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 07:12:38 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I was surprised at the lower ratings this received to this point on the web site. This had a beatiful crystal clear gold color with a fluffy white head that lasted. The aroma was mostly hops with less malt. The flavor was malty with a sharp bitter bite. The mouthfeel was smooth, and a slight crispness developed while swallowing. The bitterness lingered well into the aftertaste.

This beer had a body with some depth for a pils, not weak at all. Very tasty and extremely drinkable. Several of these can be easily consumed without getting bored.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2004 01:09:45 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pils glass:

Pours light golden yellow - plenty of clarity - with a towering head that slowly descends to a lasting thin cover. Spotted, foamy lacing sticks to glass.

The smell is of graininess and some hay. Not complex, but clean and in style.

The taste is grainy - sweet at first, with hay-like grassiness and herbal bitterness catching up. Herbal bitterness a bit much - becoming slightly metallic, but there is enough malt to keep it balanced. Crisp finish.

Appropriately light-bodied. Refreshing.

A refreshing quench-thirster (despite touch of bitterness - not something I normally complain about, but a bit off here). Smooth - disappears quickly.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2008 03:08:50 | More by jwc215

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Crystal clear straw tinted golden witha nice bubbly white head leaves very nice webbed lacing in full patches. Aroma: Some lemongrass sweetness, grainy, with Hallertau hops present to balance the sweetness a very nice crisply balanced brew so far. Taste: Pleasantly hoppy distinct European hops with a biscuit malt character, much more flavor than I was expecting simple but very tasty. Mouthfeel: Light to medium in body with a very smooth natural carbonation everything an American light lager will never accomplish. Drinkability: Very refreshing and easy to consume, definitely a session brew meant to be drank a few at a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2003 23:58:39 | More by WVbeergeek

smcolw

Massachusetts

1.53/5  rDev -57.5%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Very light color, as close to water as I've seen.

How do I say this? The smell reminds me of urine.

The body is like seltzer, which is also what the flavor reminds me of. Simply said, this is a waste of a bottle. Interestingly, this beer is not skunky.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2009 22:58:54 | More by smcolw

jlindros

Massachusetts

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

Nice creamy 1 finger head fades semi quickly bit of lacing, crystal clear golden straw color.

Nose nice cracked straw, toasty malts, grainy, juicy amber malts, hint of noble floral grassy hops.

Taste is lighter than I expected but nice, cracked straw and toasty pilsner malts, bit of that earthy gritty grainy taste, then some light sweet amber malts, some nice floral grassy noble hops come late and add a bit of bitterness. dry finish with almost no lingering taste light bitterness lingering. Mostly crisp and clean finish.

Mouth is lighter bodied, decent carb.

Overall nice, a bit lighter than expected, nice malts, crisp and clean, finishes a bit too quick as well.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 02:40:03 | More by jlindros

Billolick

New York

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

tried this one on tap at the Collins bar in NY city. Poured light golden and clear. The head is quite white, lacing was minimal. Nose that I got was mostly of grass. This is a moderatly crisp and clean lager. highly quaffable and pleasant on the taste buds. German hops duly noted, as well as a note of rye. Versitile sessioner.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2005 22:36:43 | More by Billolick

Zorro

California

3.35/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Clear and pale yellow colored beer with a small white colored head.

Smells mostly of toasted grain, pilsner malt and biscuit. Hop scent is confined to just a grassy scent.

Starts out very dry with a slight grassy aftertaste. Taste doesn't really change that much as you drink it, just dry mild lager. Hop bitterness is on the low side of medium, no bite.

Mouthfeel is light.

An OK beer but not one I will likely buy again because I like more hop bite in my Pilsners.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2009 03:42:19 | More by Zorro

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.18/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Very light and pale golden. Looks more like grape juice than a pilsner. Clarity is fine. Small bubbly white head leaves sparse lace. Nice pils maltiness on the nose spattered with floral and spicy hop notes. Soft malt tones mix with some bitter hoppiness and peppery spice notes. All in all, this combo of flavors strikes me as pretty average. The mouthfeel is nicely carbonated.Body about medium. Not too bad. Not too good.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2003 02:36:31 | More by Bighuge

Gusler

Arizona

3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The archetypal lager/pils color on the pour, a lucent gold, the head brilliant white, frothy and mountainous in size, after dissipating, it leaves a fine covering sheet of lace. Typical all malt nose that is also fresh and clean, the start sweetly malt, the top skinny, the finish masterfully hopped, minimally acidic, quite dry and an “Average” beer at best.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2003 12:06:37 | More by Gusler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured a light golden-straw color, with a thin white, foamy head that left a fair amount of broken lacing behind.

S: Upon first opening there was some skunkiness. The nose was fresh and grainy with some hay and grass notes and pretty classic per style.

T: started with some really sweet malt taste upfront, which was grainy, with some wet hay flavor. There was some herbal hopping and fresh grassiness detected. Some raw vegetables made a presence upon warming.

M: thin, with a fizzy aggressive carbonation.

D: A modest drinking pilsner but a tad sweet per style. Wouldn't drink this on a regular basis or hold my attention as a session.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2008 22:21:17 | More by beerthulhu

plaid75

New York

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured a medium straw hue with a a two finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a light biscuity grain and some earthy noble hops.

The taste was rather well balanced and consisted of a light grainy malt and a slightly spicy and musty hop.

The mouthfeel was toward the light side for the style.

Overall a decent pils. However, there are much better and more complex examples available.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2007 02:03:43 | More by plaid75

Brad007

Vermont

3.98/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a bright yellow color with a huge white head into my glass. Lots of lacing and so forth.

Sweet with a good dose of buttery malt and grassy hops upfront. Smells like the style for sure.

Crisp, lightly buttered malt greets the tongue, followed by a decent hop bite.

Clean with just the right level of carbonation. Closer to the style than some examples I've had.

A decent, easy to enjoy pilsner for those who are fans of the style. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2011 02:05:49 | More by Brad007