Frankenmuth Traditional German Pilsner - Frankenmuth Brewery

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +33.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

NOTICE: I'm not entirely sure that the beer I am about to review is the same one as this. I am reviewing Frankenmuth Pilsener, recently released in 12oz bottles.

12oz bottle poured into a footed Pilsner glass. You don't see too many twist-off caps in the craft beer world anymore.

A: Clear pale yellow, high level of carbonation helps to form a big rocky white head. Great retention. Clumpy lacing. Spot-on for the style.

S: Herbal hops, sulfur, pilsner malt. Dried grass, subtle lemongrass.

T: Herbal hops kick things off. Modest bitterness. Pilsner malt and grainy tastes follow. The hop tastes turn grassy about halfway through. Has that sharp sulfur taste that pilsners sometimes exhibit. Grape leaves? Dry finish showcases a touch of grain and bitter herbal hop tastes.

M: Light bodied, a little buttery. High level of carbonation. Crisp, clean, and refreshing.

O: A very well made pilsner. Enjoyable to drink and highly quaffable.

Notes: I hadn't heard of Frankenmuth until very recently, and didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. This is a gem of a beer, and very true to style. It tastes very authentic, like it came straight from Germany.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 20:32:23 | More by ryan1788a5

GRPunk

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +27.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

As noted by another review, the name/bottle of the beer makes me think the database holds a version of this beer from previous ownership. This bottle matches the picture currently on the site naming it "German Style PILSENER Premium Lager."

Bottle poured into a Pils glass.

A- A somewhat conservative pour created a 1-finger, white head. The clean, golden body shows an initial haze at its coldest and medium-heavy carbonation. The head drops to a fully covering film and leaves nice rings on the glass. It gets really clean after a few minutes.

S- As I opened the bottle, I was met with a nice combination of doughy malt and spicy hops. After the pour it really opens up with the same qualities and a lighter, grassy scent. It's really a nice, full aroma. Some versions come off a bit muted.

T- As aroma suggests, doughy/cracker-like malts mix with spicy hops to create a balance I expect from the style. Clean finish.

M- Crisp and clean. Moderate body and carbonation. Dryish finish.

O- No bells and whistles here. It's a straight interpretation of the style and a good one at that. I could drink this beer all day long. Would make an especially good pairing with summer BBQ fare.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 19:48:38 | More by GRPunk

Extrajoker00

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a 8oz. pilsener glass

A : unfiltered straw color with carbonation bubbling up through it

S : A little yeasty, wheat and barley undertones

T : yeasty, with faint wheat

M : creamy start and a slightly bitter,crisp finish

D : good drinkability, lots of flavor but not too heavy

I do Miss the old smaller brewery

Serving type: growler

07-26-2011 02:41:09 | More by Extrajoker00

CMUbeerenthusiast

Michigan

3.74/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

The beer was a bit hoppy which was fine, I Iike it that way. The beer also had a nice taste and texture which made for a nice beer drinking experience. The beer was had a nice smoothness to it which made it easy to drink without any bitterness to it.

However while it was a good beer, the thing is nothing about the beer stood out to me, which isn't a bad thing just a solid go to beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 08:14:05 | More by CMUbeerenthusiast

steveh

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My first try of this old brewery by name in its new incarnation. Back in the pre-micro days of regionals, I used to grab up some Franky all the time.

12 oz. twist-off brown bottles. $8 a sixer.

A -- Clear, pale straw color with a dense white head and effervescent body.

S -- Bready Pils malt, light DMS.

T -- Bready Pils malt up front with light, lightly citrus/lightly spicy hops in the finish. Light hop bitterness in the aftertaste.

M -- Mouthfeel is crisp with a light, dry body.

O -- While it hits most of the marks for German Pilsner, the hop character just seems too light. It could be a Helles, but is just too dry in the aftertaste, so maybe I've been led astray by too many hopped-up US takes on styles. This is a good quaffer, but I may have to reassess it against SN Summerfest when it comes out.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 21:05:54 | More by steveh

Florida9

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: clear straw yellow in color. Forms a small brilliantly white head. Leaves some light lacing. 3.5

S: pale malt. Grassy noble hops. Slight plastic residue. 3.5-4

T: starts off with a light grainy sweetness. Then grassy hops, corn, grain. Mild bitterness. 3.5

M: on the lighter side. Good carbonation. Lightbitterness. 4

O: a respectable Pilsener. Maybe a little too sweet, but drinkable with a nice hoppy nose. 3.5

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 12:11:14 | More by Florida9

jsisko01

Michigan

3.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - Pours a hazy golden-yellow color with a centimeter thick head that dissipates quickly. Lacing is alright.

Smell - Sweet with lemon, bread dough, and a grassy/grain smell.

Taste - Sweet with mild bitterness.. I taste a feint hint of caramel, grass or barley, breadiness, and various spices. Maybe clove

Mouthfeel - Has a bit of a zing on the tongue. Medium bodied with high carbonation.

Overall - It's not a bad beer but I won't be getting this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 00:47:21 | More by jsisko01

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out similar to the Blonde, it's was clear yellow with a white head on top. The smell of the beer was lightly grassy with some lager yeast aromas in there as well. The taste of the beer has a moderate bitterness to it with a nice amount of grains to balance it out a little. The mouthfeel was pretty light, nothing too much going on other than some normal carbonation. Overall it's a typical pilsner. Worth trying I suppose.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 04:24:29 | More by Knapp85

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.24/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

I didn't much care for this beer. It really does need some work I feel.
The color with like yellow straw hazy and with really no head.
The aroma was almost nonexistent.
The taste was flat and malty. Nothing in the flavor that would say to me that this is a pilsner.
Taste is barebones and boring.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 15:21:06 | More by micromaniac129

GodOfBeer

Ontario (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear, slightly cloudy yellow. Typical for a pilsener..(or is it? 0.0)

Smells grainy and a bit hoppy, like an pilsener should! Some sweet honey and grass.

This is a nicely rounded pilsener, sweet and malty with an ice hop balance to round it off. But overall, very average and nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 02:02:21 | More by GodOfBeer

EricCioe

Montana

3.13/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Thanks to my sister for sending me a box of Michigan stuff I haven't had before.

This pours pale yellow, totally clear, with a spritzy white head that leaves some lace. On the nose there is wet grain, some fruity esters, and grass. In the mouth the wet grain provides a light blanket for the grassy hops to ride on top of. The body is light and the carbonation is perfect for keeping this one going down.

Overall, there isn't a whole lot going on as far as complexity with this one, but the flavors are pleasant and it's very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 02:21:17 | More by EricCioe

drinkallday

Michigan

3.1/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from the tap at the restaurant. Nice clear filtered appearance and a nice white head that lasted a while. the aromas of saa like hops were present but not in as much abundance as I would have thought for german pilsner. Nice clean flavors and some hop in there too. Overall a nice good clean beer but I would have liked some more hops throughout.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2006 14:29:59 | More by drinkallday

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from session notes.

A. Pale faintly-hazed yellow, only one finger of fizzy white head that dissipated in half a minute, no lacing. I was expecting a much better head on a pilsner than this...

S. Grassy herbals, some light skunkiness, pale malt sweetness.

T. Faint sweet malt, grassy herbals, light bittering. Not enough spicing character even for the lighter spicing of a German Pils.

M. Light bodied, fizzy soda-like carbonation.

Average and not really worth a revisit IMHO.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 19:23:52 | More by WastingFreetime

redmosquito

Michigan

2.95/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Part of a sampler at the brewery. Clear pale straw color with a decent head that left some lacing. Very little aroma what so ever, maybe some yeast, but certainly not the hops the menu promised. The flavor is okay and clean, some malt flavor, some bitterness, some yeast. There is a good mouthfeel, some body. Overall this is drinkable for most people walking through the door looking for something similar to their usual can of beer, but there are better more flavorful choices on the menu, (Geyer Cream).

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2004 20:17:42 | More by redmosquito

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Frankenmuth Brewery: Pilsner

LOOK: Pale yellow with a fizzy head that leaves quickly. Looks like a cheaply made lager.

SMELL: Lager yeast dominates the nose with bready notes, maybe a touch herbal.

TASTE: Straightforward clean malts, possibly some adjuncts, and mild herbal hopping. Finishes almost clean with a small mineral taste. Lacks enough hop flavor or bitterness to make it stand out. Still, inoffensive and easy drinking.

FEEL: Light bodied, well carbonated.

OVERALL: This is a nice lighter option, but still doesn't stack up with the truly great pilsners. Just about average.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 01:07:11 | More by Stinkypuss

tectactoe

Michigan

2.85/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Purchased from, believe it or not, Frankenmuth, MI. Pours a translucent, golden-yellow color with a bright, white, bubbly head that mellowed down to a tiny, tiny layer on top of the beer very quickly and didn't leave much lacing at all. Smell was weak, included faint scents of wheat, grains, corn, and a touch of lemon and hops, but not much. The taste was on par for a pilsner, but nothing special or "standout-ish" about it. Light malts and corn. Wheaty and bready, very low bitterness (hardly any hop or floral flavor) with high carbonation to bite the tongue. Thin bodied, somewhat dry finish.

Overall, very "meh". It's a decent pilsner, but I would fathom that wherever this is sold, there are certain to be better pilsners available.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 12:49:43 | More by tectactoe

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

2.65/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

First had: Philly Beer Scene Tasting panel with Matt Falco at Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA

I was privileged enough to be on the tasting panel for PBS Magazine, along with Bill Covaleski of Victory and Greg Ramirez of Exton Beverage. This was one of 21 beers we sampled during the session.

It's a pilsner. Not really my thing. Poured a clear pale yellow color with a thin fizzy head that didn't stick around too long. Bubbly carbonation rose from the bottom of the glass. Basic aroma of pale/pils malts, and light grassy hops. Similar taste, grains, pils malts, corn, light grassy hoppage...it's a pilsner. Light body, decently drinkable for the style, but nothing I'd ever consider getting, unless in the rare case I had to sample it for a tasting panel.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 05:41:04 | More by Rifugium

GiantMidget

Pennsylvania

2.6/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Another in a variety pack bought at Wegman's in Collegeville PA.

Served in pint glass.

2-3 inch head that disappeared very quickly with very subtle lacing. Yellowish color, nice appearance.

Scent of yeast and lemon/citrus.

It had an average taste as a pilsner but nothing unique or special that would make me choose it over many other German style pilsners.
I feel like they were trying to do too much with it.
Especially when it comes to the mouthfeel and carbonation. WAY too much, causing quite a zing in the mouth like I"m drinking club soda.

Overall it's not terrible but nothing to brag about.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 02:45:19 | More by GiantMidget

Hockeyron07

Michigan

2.45/5  rDev -23%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

It was an ok beer. Not a lot of flavor and kinda tasted watered down. Other than that it was a nice refreshing beer

The color was a bit too dark and cloudy for a typical plisse

I would have liked a more hoppy aroma and flavor, but I liked that it was not too sweet.

The beer was the first off a new keg so it's possible another pour would taste a bit different.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2010 18:51:14 | More by Hockeyron07

Pencible

Virginia

2.13/5  rDev -33%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A: This poured a clear pale straw color with some white head.
S: It smelled like skunks and sour lager yeast, with a little herbal hops.
T: It tasted like a little lemon zest and sour lager yeast, with some skunky bready malt and herbal hops. It had a sour aftertaste that wasn't very clean.
M: It was watery with lots of carbonation. Light and bubbly body.
D: This was about on par with Heineken, with a bit more scent and taste than BMC, but not necessarily in a good way. The body was weak and the finish sucked, so it wasn't easy to drink. Not even worth a tick.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 20:08:12 | More by Pencible

Mgrad92

Michigan

2.1/5  rDev -34%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

This was a terrible example of a plisner. Too cloudy and not nearly enough hop profile. At first I wondered if the waitress had given me the wrong beer.
I would have characterized it as a weak summer wheat beer had they not told me it was a plisner.
There was nothing objectionable about the beer itself. I drank it all. It just wasn't what a pilsner should be.
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Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2011 20:00:19 | More by Mgrad92