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Hopfenkönig Pilsner

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'Der König aus dem kaiserlichen Salzkammergut.' Hell, spritzig und schlank — intense hop aromas from the Salzkammergut. The everyday Eggenberg pilsner: the opposite end of the spectrum from Samichlaus, brewed with the same precision.

ABV
5.1%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold2
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycleancitrusy
hoppy
clean
citrusy
malty
mineral
herbal
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced noble hop character—herbal, spicy, and gently citrusy notes dominate, reflecting the Salzkammergut terroir.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hopfenkönig Pilsner

◎ Appearance

Brilliant pale golden color with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, with a steady stream of small bubbles rising through the clear body. The overall presentation is classically refined—bright without harshness, inviting immediate consumption.

pale goldenbrilliant claritypersistent headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced noble hop character—herbal, spicy, and gently citrusy notes dominate, reflecting the Salzkammergut terroir. Beneath lies a clean, understated malt foundation with faint mineral undertones. There is no yeast character; the aroma remains crisp and forward-facing, free of any haze or funk.

noble hopsherbal spicecitrus notesmineral backdrop

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and direct, with a snappy bitterness from noble hops arriving early on the palate. The mid-palate develops a light, crisp maltiness that balances without sweetness—structure is lean and precise. The finish layer shows dry, herbal hop bitterness and a faint mineral dryness that lends grip and prevents flatness.

crisp bitternesslean maltdry finishmineral grip

◑ Finish

The finish is short to medium and decidedly dry, with hop bitterness gradually fading into a clean, mineral-inflected aftertaste. No residual sweetness lingers; the overall impression is refreshing and palate-cleansing.

drymineralclean aftertaste
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
80
Appearance
83
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 Hopfenkönig 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 crisp, hoppy, clean character as Hopfenkönig Pilsner will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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