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Rattenhund

Hop Nation Brewing Co.
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🌍 Australia · German Pilsner · One of 248 German Pilsners in hopIQ

Rattenhund is brewed as a traditional pilsner on floor-malted Bohemian pilsner malt, hopped with Saaz and Spalt Select, then fermented long and cool before eight weeks of lagering. It pours clear and bright gold under a dense, fluffy white head. The floor-malted base gives a soft bready note with a hint of honey, while the two noble hops add herbal, spicy and lightly floral aromas. The body is lean and crisp, and the finish is dry and clean.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
See all German Pilsner alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2023
Australian International Beer Awards
#79 · 2023
GABS Hottest 100
#51 · 2024
GABS Hottest 100
#80 · 2025
GABS Hottest 100
#97 · 2026
GABS Hottest 100
Gold — Australian International Beer Awards
#79 — GABS Hottest 100
#51 — GABS Hottest 100
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The texture leads here, with everything else held in gentle reserve.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another German Pilsner.
Hop character
noble hop
herbal
spicy hop
floral
Malt character
bready
honey
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Rattenhund

Appearance

Rattenhund presents a brilliant, crystal-clear gold that catches the light with exceptional transparency. A dense, fluffy white head forms on the pour and maintains excellent retention, displaying fine Schaumkleiden around the glass rim. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a steady stream of fine bubbles.

brilliant golddense white headcrystal clearfine carbonation

Aroma

The nose is dominated by classic noble-hop character—Saaz and Spalt Select deliver layered herbal, spicy, and lightly floral notes that define the aromatic profile. Beneath the hops lies a soft, bready maltiness with gentle honey undertones from the floor-malted Bohemian pilsner base. The extended cool fermentation and lagering have produced a clean, composed nose with no fruity esters or sharp phenolics.

Saaz and Spalt Selectherbal and spicysoft bready maltsdelicate floral notes

Taste

The palate opens with a lean, crisp mouthfeel that showcases the restraint typical of well-executed pilsners. Noble-hop bitterness and herbal spice dominate the mid-palate without aggression, while the soft malt backbone provides subtle breadiness and a whisper of honey sweetness. The body is dry and refreshingly light, allowing each flavor element to remain distinct.

crisp and leannoble-hop bitternessherbal spicesubtle honey sweetness

Finish

The finish is dry and exceptionally clean, with the herbal-spicy hop character fading into a malty whisper. A pleasant thirst-inducing quality lingers, inviting the next sip.

dry and cleanherbal faderefreshingly thirst-inducing
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
85
Appearance
90
Finish
82
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Rattenhund

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pilsner glass
Recommended for this style

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.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Rattenhund

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 noble-hop, dry, crisp character as Rattenhund will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other German Pilsners in hopIQ

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