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Pilsner

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Launched in March 2022, Harvey's Pilsner pairs Polish Lubelski hops and European malt with the brewery's local ingredients. Straw-coloured and 4.0%, it smells clean with toast and hop; the palate is crisp and bready with floral, spicy hop character and a distinct bitterness. The beer is a nod to the pilsners of Northern Europe and the Baltic coast, where the brewery's ales have long been sold.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
toastyhoppybready
toasty
hoppy
bready
clean
floral
spicy hop
Aroma
The nose presents a clean, inviting profile with distinct toasted malt undertones and a spicy, floral hop character from the Polish Lubelski variety.
also:malty
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Pilsner

◎ Appearance

A clear, straw-coloured beer with a pale golden hue typical of the German Pilsner tradition. The head forms with fine carbonation and displays good retention, leaving delicate lacing on the glass. The brilliance of the liquid suggests careful brewing and conditioning.

straw-goldenbright clarityfine carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose presents a clean, inviting profile with distinct toasted malt undertones and a spicy, floral hop character from the Polish Lubelski variety. Noble hop aromatics emerge with restrained herbaceous notes, while the malt foundation provides subtle biscuity without heaviness. The overall impression is crisp and refreshing, with no off-aromas.

toasted maltspicy noble hopsfloral hop characterbiscuity

◐ Taste

The palate is crisp and bready, with the malt contributing a light, grainy sweetness that sits cleanly on the tongue. The Lubelski hops deliver a pronounced spicy and floral bitterness that builds throughout the mid-palate, creating a genuine contrast with the soft malt base. At 38 IBU, the bitterness is distinct and structured, never harsh or overwhelming.

crisp palatebread grainspicy bitternessfloral hop finish

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and remarkably clean, with the hop bitterness lingering pleasantly into the aftertaste. The relatively low ABV allows the beer to conclude without any warming alcohol character, leaving only the memory of malt and hop.

dry finishlingering hop bitterness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve well-chilled at 4–6°C for maximum crispness. A pilsner served too warm loses its defining snap.

Pilsner glass

The tall, narrow pilsner glass preserves carbonation and showcases the golden clarity that defines the style.

Drink fresh and cold. Pilsners do not improve with age — within 3 months of packaging is ideal.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Pilsner

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About German Pilsner

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a German Pilsner?

Pilsners are crisp golden lagers with 4–5.5% ABV and IBU 25–45. Defined by spicy, floral Saaz hops over a light malt backbone — bright carbonation and a dry bitter finish.

Finding a similar German Pilsner

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same toasty, crisp, hoppy character as Pilsner will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all German Pilsner beers in hopIQ →New to German Pilsner? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →