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Leaves of Grass: Bavarian Pilsner

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Flowery and round, with soft carbonation. Inspired by visits to Bavaria and the Old World brewers' approach to Pilsner, Hill Farmstead brewed this German-style Pilsner with lager yeast, lagered it and kept it in stainless steel, at 5%. The brewery describes it as a less minerally take on the style. It belongs to the Leaves of Grass and Philosophical Series.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Herbal, floral 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
floralcleanmineral
floral
clean
mineral
hoppy
malty
Aroma
Distinctly floral on the nose, with noble hop aromatics leading the profile—notes of wildflower and light herbal character emerge without aggression.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Leaves of Grass: Bavarian Pilsner

◎ Appearance

Pale golden with brilliant clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing as the beer is consumed. The soft carbonation generates a gentle bead that rises steadily through the glass, maintaining a refined visual presence throughout.

pale goldencrystal clearfine lacingsoft carbonation

◌ Aroma

Distinctly floral on the nose, with noble hop aromatics leading the profile—notes of wildflower and light herbal character emerge without aggression. The malt base remains restrained and clean, allowing the delicate hop perfume to dominate while subtle grain sweetness provides balance beneath.

floralnoble hopsherbal finesserestrained malt

◐ Taste

Smooth entry with a crisp, refreshing palate that balances soft malt sweetness against a clean, measured bitterness. The mid-palate carries an elegant hop bitterness with minimal harshness, while the grain character stays light and unfolds without heaviness. The finish remains dry and mineral-tinged, though notably less assertive than traditional Bavarian interpretations.

smooth maltcrisp bitternesselegant finishmineral restraint

◑ Finish

Clean and drying with a gentle fade, leaving a faint floral memory and subtle mineral trace on the palate. The aftertaste remains refreshing without lingering harshness.

cleanrefreshingdry
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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 Leaves of Grass: Bavarian 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 floral, smooth, crisp character as Leaves of Grass: Bavarian 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 States beers →