Bitburger Premium Pils - Bitburger Brauerei

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.33/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

We pour a pale golden colored brew. It holds a brief one finger head of big white bubbles. This boils down to a mere film across the head, with only specks of lacing to be seen. Carbonation is active, and no haze or sediment is noted. The nose is sickly with adjuncty grain. White baking flour is huge, with grassy and yeasty bites here and there. Very dry. A faint fruity sweetness comes on the way back, while an equally as distant juicy hop bitterness comes in for balance. Our first impression is that it is not as bitter as we were expecting. As we sip, pale and adjuncty grain hits first. Here the grain does give a thick metallic bite and bitterness, but this fades throughout the progression of the sip. White sugar adds a balance, and an additional lemon bitterness helps keep it on the fresher side. The middle peaks with grassy hop bitterness, acting synergistically with the dirty grain to deliver a puckering punch to the palate. The finish is creamy and metallic. The hops are gone by now, but the bittering grain persists in lesser quantities and strength. The aftertaste shares that same bitter quality, along with stone and mineral, baker’s yeast, flour, and thick adjuncty grain. The body is lighter to medium, and the carbonation is medium. The mouth is puckered and left with bone dry astringency. Each sip carries nice froth and slurp, with a clean finishing pop. The abv is appropriate, and the beer goes down easily.

Overall, what we like best about this one was the drinkability. The flavoring never became overwhelmingly bitter, and actually loosens up quite a bit by the end of the sip, allowing for a cleaner, fresher finish. The nose seemed overly adjuncty, and was not entirely inviting, but we were happily surprised once we dug into the flavoring.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 21:31:55 | More by TheBrewo

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Comes out of the tap a pretty clear golden yellow, darker than most pilses I have been served, with a thick, fine-bubbled ivory head. Strong, malty aroma has an overtone of sweetish pear, almost like a cider. Crisp, malty flavor has a firm fruity note, mainly pear, and just a hint of hops. Smooth texture has good body and good fizz. Overall, a very good pilsner.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2012 22:02:02 | More by Cyberkedi

Abel25

4.18/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Longtime favorite. My brother was stationed in Spicier-Efel and brought it to my attention in the 80's. For him, it was the local brew and they picked it up by the barrel for the weekend. Lucky bastard.

Grreat light tasting, drinkable beer. Thin head when poured, nice light white ring. Light yellow, wheat color.

Slight corn taste, but no one taste is overwhelming. Pairs with whatever you throw on a grill. I am going to have to visit there someday

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 01:21:26 | More by Abel25

1234Jack

3.58/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Good smell out of the bottle. A little spritzy, but still light through the mouth.

Bright golden color. Good carbonation. No head, but I pour to avoid one.

Nice bottle, looks German and medieval/official, gold leaf, special bottle with raised lettering and with raised barrel logo on the neck.

Taste reminds me of Heineken, but not as skunky (i.e. still tastes good even if not near-freezing in temperature).

I like most German beer, but this was $8.99 for a box of six, which to me is on the spendy side. $8.99 for six (and these are 11.2 oz bottles) to me means it better be very good beer, and I think this beer is good, but not amazing. So, what I mean is, it's a little overpriced in my book for how good it is. The price is comparable to Leffe and Hofbräuhaus, but I think those beers are slightly better than this.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 04:28:51 | More by 1234Jack

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pure bright yellow with just a 1/4 inch of head that quickly turns to a lace ring.

S - Smells of mild lager yeast, mostly corn, and actually some hops.

T - Actually quite good far from being sweet or overly hoppy than other Pilsner's I do get some mild corn, sweet malts, and a hoppy finish. It's good in it's simplicity.

M - Light and crisp a nice beer.

Overall damn fine cheap german beer thats easy to chug. Much better than typical American swill.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 05:09:47 | More by DrDemento456

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

3.55/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Another beer that my brother brought back from Germany – what he calls a “soccer beer.” I’m usually not up for anything that’s described as a “Premium Pils,” but I’m glad to have it.

And hey, it’s fresh! Canned just a month ago (“01.06.2012” stamped on the bottom of the can).

A: A fizzy-little-yellow-pils appearance, as expected. The head is pure white foam, and surprisingly sticky. Lots of bubbles throughout the pale yellow body.

S: Very faint lager yeast aromas are prevalent, showing a backbone of bread and pilsner crispness. There aren’t a ton of hops, only showing off a bit near the edges of the nose, but what’s there is lightly fruity. Finishes with a surprisingly American aroma of corn and blasé malt – a bit dull. On the whole, though, it’s a definite German experience (though a fairly average one, to be honest).

T: The corn malts take this palate by force, and, unfortunately, don’t let up. Upon first sip, it’s Budweiser with a little more complexity and a lot more hops; once I’m about halfway done, though, it lessens up thanks to the distracting power of the hops. After that, the crisp pilsner character that I was hoping for shows up: lightly bready (essentially cracker-like) malts, a palpable yeast chewiness, and a crisp, German-pilsner saltiness. It’s not top-shelf, but it hits the spot – especially from the can, as the hops are accented and other undesirables are diminished. Finishes with a clean, Noble-hop dryness, and a strong, lingering vegetal tone.

M: Very light, and definitely not as fizzy as it could have been. Thankfully, the texture reminds me more of traditional German styles rather than American macro-brews; it’s definitely not hiding behind excessive carbonation.

O: This is the beer I wish we had in the good ol’ USA whenever we went to a sporting event, a dive bar, or even just your standard family cookout – maybe then I wouldn’t hear so many people say “I don’t like beer” because the majority of what the country drinks is swill. Bitburger Premium Pils, while nowhere near a perfect pilsner, has a pleasant hop character and a general palate that’s not a challenge to put down; unfortunately, that’s more than you can say about anything Bud, Miller, or Coors puts out.

Serving type: can

07-01-2012 19:32:04 | More by BarryMFBurton

beerluvr

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured this into a Stella Artois stemmed glass, Pure withe head sitting over clear pale yellow liquid. Nose is grassy/hay-ish, slight floral hoppiness there too, not too shabby. Flavor is light bodied, crisp, bitter, clean...very quenching. The finish is a nice bitter note left on the palate after the swallow. Great session beer, great on a hot day like today. One of my top German Pils, very refreshing served on the chilly side.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 22:30:32 | More by beerluvr

Jesse13713

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 16.9 oz can

Appearance - Definitely that of a classic pilsner. Light, bubbly yellow with a thin film of froth at the surface. Opaque with a champagne-like appeal. nice lacing; a mouth watering beer.

Smell - That light, not quite skunky smell I've come to love in German pilsners. Faint hops and spice. A plant-like smell, perhaps sage of some sort.

Taste - A well built pilsner with a bit of a marijuana taste to it. Light spice and a well established body. A very satisfying taste. The aftertaste is lightly sweetened, leaving the delicious taste of plants, hops, and light malt in your mouth for quite some time.

Mouthfeel and Overall - Medium bodied. Powerful without being overly-aggressive. Natural tasting and refreshing for a summer night. A very nice consistency that does not taste watered down at all.

Serving type: can

06-19-2012 00:42:57 | More by Jesse13713

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Bitburger pils from a 16.9oz can into an imperial pint glass. Best before 2/22/13.

Pours a brilliant straw gold color with an optimal two and a half fingers of white soapy foam. Nice solidarity to the head with a chunky volcanic effect on top that looks like meringue. Holds pretty well as the miniscus slowly makes its way closer to the sudsy surface.

Biscuity and dry with familiar aromas of spicy and grassy hops. A slight toasted grain effect can be sniffed. Bursts of breadiness are shed as the beer warms.

Crisp and spicy with a twangy hop note singing success. Some apple skin tartness is evident, but this is one bready pils. Sourdough, dead grass, faint pear, and light buttery character. Solidly bitter in the finish with a dry grain-y sustain. Not the driest of the dry, but still pretty damn dry.

Quaffable as the best of anything. Can't wait to enjoy the next one straight from the can. Unmovingly medium in body and carrying just enough carbonation to gulp without burping. Amazing feel.

Hot damn! So happy to score this 16.9oz can four-pack for $5.99. A ridiculous value beer with 'summertime' written all over it!

Serving type: can

06-18-2012 23:40:33 | More by thecheapies

McStagger

California

3.93/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a transparent straw color with moderately high carbonation. Two fingers rapidly disappearing head that is bleach white. Some lacing.

S: Husked grain, crackers, lemon, sulfur, grass. Fairly fragrant.

T: Light, toasty malt, again with the lemon and sulfur. Pretty damn bitter pilsner. Hops are medicinal and borderline astringent. Still, packs on more bitterness than a standard German Pils, which I like. Finishes very dry.

M: Pretty bubbly. Not quite setlzer like, but close.

O: Man, I used to hate this stuff. Thought it was way too bitter. Now I've learned to love it. My favorite German pilsner that I can easily find (thanks TJ's!)

Serving type: can

06-12-2012 03:34:26 | More by McStagger

jimmah120

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz can with a date: 5.16.2012. Not sure if it's a best by or canned on date.

Pours a pale yellow with a 2-finger head and plenty of uneven suspended sediment. Smell is skunky grain, lemon, banana. Taste follows: hay, banana, clove, spice, bitter medicinal hops. The bitter isn't too enjoyable in my opinion, otherwise the taste is good.

Decent for the price, maybe I need to try a fresher can..

Serving type: can

05-22-2012 16:39:17 | More by jimmah120

BierStein711

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into weizen

Three finger head

Dark yellow

leaves good lacing, carbonation moderate

Smells like skunk, but not as bad as Heineken.

Tastes like pilsner malt, great hops, and fine grains.

Overall, I am having this beer again on tap. It was a fine example of the style. This is a good one for beginners as well.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 04:17:48 | More by BierStein711

heygeebee

Australia

3.4/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear straw, quick fizz splash and head is gone.

Aromas of hops/dough.

Taste is refreshing and hop-driven, some sweetness on palate, moderately firm bitter finish ensuring difference between a Pilsener and Euro Pale lager.

Mouthfeel light and carbonated

A Good Pilsener, if not a great one

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 09:03:54 | More by heygeebee

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16.9oz can served into Das boot glass.

A - 3 fingers of snow white head, active bubbles stream through a clear golden body. Splotchy lacing patterns.

S - Sulfuric lager yeast, heavy dose of spicy noble hops, earthy.

T - Sweet grain, chalky yeast, noble hops bring spicy and grassiness, slight lemon peel, sweet floral flavors come through. Clean and crisp finish.

M - Light to medium body, good carbonation, clean finish.

Pretty fun drinking this out of Das Boot glass. Good amount of hops against clean pilsner malts and plenty of yeast characters. Very good all around.

Serving type: can

05-04-2012 18:51:18 | More by StaveHooks

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.95/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml can (best before 2/22/13) served in a tall glass beer mug.

L - clear bright yellow color with a fluffy white head that thinned to a light layer leaving a few spots of lacing.

S - grassy hops with a touch of grain in the background.

T - good balance of malt and hops most of the way through with a dry and bitter finish.

F - light/medium bodied with easy drinkability and a crisp feel.

O - The German's sure know how to make a German Pilsner.

Serving type: can

04-29-2012 18:51:19 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

Brad007

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked this up on the same day as the Konig. Go figure.

Pours a straw gold color with a bit more gold than usual with a frothier head that leaves lacing.

Sweet and grainy malt with a good hop bite in the nose. Sweeter than the previous example.

Taste is more like that of an adjunct for some reason. Hops are there. Malt seems ok. Just the overall profile.

Ditto on the mouthfeel. The hops save this from being an unholy mess.

Another authentic example. I still like this a bit more than the other.

Serving type: can

04-08-2012 01:36:06 | More by Brad007

allforbetterbeer

Colorado

3.1/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 500 mL can into a tall antique Czech pilsner glass.

Pours with a huge bone-white three finger head over a filtered clear very light yellow body.

Smells of sweet light grains, a touch of grass, and a side of sweet corn. A little swirl brings up a bit of noble hop aroma, but only a bit.

Sweet light grains (not nessasarily only malted barley) and a light, tame overlay of noble-type hops makes up the primary flavor. The malts have a bit of depth and some nice crackery dryness at the end. The malts are the best part of the flavor, and they do have a bit of luster that is lacking in American mass-produced light colored lagers.

The mouthfeel is smooth, with slightly lower carbonation than usual, which is nice.

Conclusion: Hmm... well this is an alright beer. Is it a great German Pilsener? No not really. There are many much finer examples. Is it better than anything that huge American breweries churn out in mass production? Yes. A fine beer, but not up to the level of almost all the other excellent German beer I have consumed.

Serving type: can

03-27-2012 23:14:28 | More by allforbetterbeer

brandon911

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a can into a nonic.

It was a very pretty beer poured into the nonic, a pale straw with an inch head. Fairly picturesque. The smell wasn't anythin' to write home about. It smelled like a pilsner: some light hops, a little metallic, and some citrus. The taste was similar, though better, the metallic taste wasn't as present as I would've thought, though the citrus smells weren't as present in the taste. It starts off fairly bitter and ends with a nice dry, bitter finish. The mouthfeel was perfect, moderate carbonation and very, very refreshing. Not a complex beer, but good enough to sip and enjoy on a regular day, catch a game with or to drink far too many of.

Serving type: can

03-22-2012 04:21:38 | More by brandon911

ckollias

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Pours a clear golden hue with a thick, white, 3-finger head that quickly dissipates in to a wispy lace.

S: Pilsner aroma with a lemon and herbal hop background.

T: Slightly tart flavor with a herbal hop middle and dry finish.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Very flavorful famous German pilsner. Just a “bit” as they say.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 01:08:44 | More by ckollias

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.53/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a straw yellow on tap somehwere in Frankfurt Germany.

S: It had a grassy scent with some light floral notes

T:.A little bit of sweet grain with grassy and light floral notes. Very tasty, clean and simple

M: Light body, crisp, airy and alight hop bitterness

O: Good

Serving type: can

03-16-2012 02:37:46 | More by barleywinefiend

Douberd

Netherlands

3.83/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Can, 500 ml. Pale golden yellow colour against the light, one finger head, some bubbles on the side. The strong malts aroma hit me even as I opened the can. A bit grassy smell now that it's on the glass too. Great taste, perfect amount of bitterness, would have gotten a higher point if it wasn't that metallic, maybe it tastes even better from a bottle. Mouthfeel is medium thick, average carbonation.

Serving type: can

02-20-2012 21:31:49 | More by Douberd

mikeaji

Virginia

3.03/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bottle poured into mug.

Pours a straw color with a little bit of froth. Can't really detect anything with the smell, as it smells somewhat plain. (although just getting over a cold).

To be honest, the beer is basically slightly above-average. The taste is not going to wow you, as it's very light and with very modest carbonation. However, it does make up for the "blandness" with its drink-ability factor. Not a bad beer, very refreshing and I wouldn't mind drinking it again if I'm just hanging out in the backyard. Not a beer I would actively suggesting though.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 06:56:25 | More by mikeaji

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a mug at Bauer's Brauhaus.

Tall can into tall mug. Lovely. This stuff pours a clear straw topped by a healthy bit of white froth. The nose comprises light grass, sweet flowers, mild wheat, and a touch of cornmeal way in the background. The taste brings in more of the same, with a bit more corn tossed in for good measure. The body is a hefty-leaning light, with a light moderate carbonation and a wet feel. Overall, a very solid pils, easy-going all the way.

Serving type: can

02-03-2012 07:19:54 | More by TMoney2591

flagmantho

Washington

3.7/5  rDev +6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 500mL bottle into a Pilsner glass.

Appearance: light golden hue with plenty of effervescence. Head is a single finger of frothy white foam without a great deal of retention.

Smell: slightly sweet, slightly grainy malt aroma with very little in the way of hops. The malt is really quite nice, though.

Taste: grainy and just a little sweet in the malt department; hops are low but noticeable as an earthy hint. Bitterness is quite low. I find myself actually quite liking this beer.

Mouthfeel: light body with a decent level of carbonation. Nothing special, but not bad.

Overall: a nicely refreshing Pilsner. Usually I don't love really grainy lagers, but this one seems to work for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 23:19:50 | More by flagmantho

Everydayoff

Thailand

3.48/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

330ml bottle poured into a pils glass by freshness date.

A:
Gold in color, not a rich head as I expected, it quickly recedes and leaves wee lace, light carbonation.

S:
Big bready malted with aromatic hops that yield notes of floral, spice yet herbal.

T:
Upfront with malt sweetness which is slight biscuity then hops lend a pleasant bitterness touch that cling until the finish along with the flash of citrus.

M:
Light-bodied, smooth with good crisp of carbonation, finish is dry.

O:
Things here are above average except its appearance. Anyway, still pretty good and highly yet easy drinkable. A fan of German’s pils should never miss.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 09:42:29 | More by Everydayoff