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Pilsen Classic

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Pilsen Classic is a lager in the Pilsener style with a distinct greater hopping, which brings more intense floral and citric notes to the aroma and a slightly more bitter taste. The beer is light-bodied, very refreshing and slightly dry at the end, golden and bright with a long-lasting white foam, at 5.0% ABV. It has been the beer for the compas since 1888.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop 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
hoppyfloralcitrusy
hoppy
floral
citrusy
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced noble hop character, delivering elegant floral notes layered with bright citrus—lemon and grapefruit pith dominate.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Pilsen Classic

◎ Appearance

Pilsen Classic presents a brilliant golden hue with exceptional clarity and brightness. The head is dense and white, displaying strong and persistent lacing that clings to the glass as you drink. Fine carbonation creates a refined, crackling mouthfeel.

brilliant goldenwhite foam lacingbright and clearfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced noble hop character, delivering elegant floral notes layered with bright citrus—lemon and grapefruit pith dominate. Beneath the hop profile, subtle grainy malt provides a clean, dry backbone that keeps the aroma fresh and balanced rather than heavy.

floral nobilitycitrus forwardgrainy malt basecrisp and dry

◐ Taste

The palate opens light and refreshing with a clean malt entry that quickly gives way to assertive noble hop bitterness. Mid-palate maintains good balance between citric and floral hop notes and restrained grain sweetness, building toward a moderately dry finish without harshness.

hoppy bitelight-bodiedcitrus and floralbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is notably dry and crisp, with lingering hop bitterness that fades cleanly into a dry, slightly mineral aftertaste. No sweetness persists; the beer concludes with the refreshing character it promises from the first sip.

dry finishlingering bitternessmineral clean
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
82
Appearance
87
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 Pilsen Classic

More from Pilsen

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Pilsen 6.0
German Pilsner
6%·Noticeably bitter
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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 hoppy, refreshing, floral character as Pilsen Classic 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 Costa Rica beers →