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Spaten Pils

Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
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🌍 Germany · German Pilsner · One of 250 German Pilsners in hopIQ

Spaten Pils is a bottom-fermented lager brewed from barley malt, hops and hop extract to 11.7 °P, available on draught and in bottles in southern Germany. It pours light yellow with a lively white head. The aroma is grainy with a grassy, lightly spicy hop note. On the palate a slim malt body gives way to a finish that is noticeably drier and more bitter than the Hell, clean and crisp, with a lingering herbal edge.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
See all German Pilsner alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
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

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another German Pilsner.
Hop character
grassy
herbal
spicy hop
hoppy
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best German Pilsners

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Spaten Pils

Appearance

Spaten Pils presents a bright, light yellow hue characteristic of the German Pilsner style. A lively white head forms on the pour with good initial retention and fine lacing that clings to the glass. The beer is clear and well-carbonated, displaying the clean, polished presentation typical of a bottom-fermented lager.

pale yellowwhite headcrisp carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with a soft, grainy maltiness that forms the foundation, quickly giving way to pronounced grassy and herbal hop notes. A lightly spicy character emerges from the noble hop profile, contributing a refined floral edge without aggressive intensity. The overall impression is dry and inviting, with no off-notes or harsh volatility.

grainygrassy hopsherbal spice

Taste

The palate enters with a lean, restrained malt body that allows the hop character to take center stage. Grassy and herbal flavors dominate the mid-palate with a noticeable bitter backbone that is crisp and clean rather than harsh. The finish turns markedly drier and more bitter than the brewery's Hell offering, with a lingering herbal bite that encourages another sip.

dry bitternessherbal finishclean palate

Finish

The finish is notably drier and more bitter, with a lingering herbal edge that persists without becoming astringent. Carbonation provides a bright, crisp sensation that carries the hop bitterness cleanly into the aftertaste.

dryhoppy lingering
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
81
Appearance
82
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Spaten Pils

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 Spaten Pils

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 grassy, herbal, bitter character as Spaten Pils 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 Germany beers →