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Tenaya Creek Pilsner

Tenaya Creek Brewery
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🌍 United States · European-Style Pilsner · One of 1 European-Style Pilsners in hopIQ

Gold at the 2002 GABF for European-Style Pilsner — the beer that established Tenaya Creek as a serious brewer in a casino town. Clean, golden, spicy from Czech Saaz hops with a satisfying bready malt base.

ABV
5.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4

AWARDS

Gold · 2002
Great American Beer Festival 2002
European-Style Pilsner
Gold — Great American Beer Festival 2002 (European-Style Pilsner)
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
Soft 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 European-Style Pilsner.
Hop character
hoppy
noble hop
citrusy
herbal
Malt character
bready
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
spicy

FEATURED IN

#2 of 50The Best American LagersFeatured inThe Best American Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Tenaya Creek Pilsner

Appearance

Bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that builds substantial lacing against the glass walls. The carbonation is crisp and even, with a steady stream of fine bubbles rising through the body. The overall presentation is clean and inviting, characteristic of a well-executed pilsner.

bright goldenclearfine lacingwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose opens with the distinctive spicy, herbal character of Czech Saaz hops, complemented by subtle citrus notes and a delicate floral undertone. Beneath the hop profile lies a clean, slightly sweet malt base that adds a light breadiness without dominating the bouquet. The overall aromatics are restrained and refined, inviting rather than aggressive.

Saaz spiceherballight citrusclean malt

Taste

The palate opens clean and crisp with a bready malt sweetness that establishes the beer's foundation. The Saaz hops deliver a distinctive noble-hop spiciness and gentle herbal complexity across the mid-palate, while moderate bitterness (22 IBU) provides balance without assertiveness. The finish remains dry and refreshing, with the malt and hop character working in harmony.

bready maltnoble-hop spicebalanced bitternesscrisp palate

Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with lingering spice and herbal notes from the Saaz hops gradually fading into a subtle malt sweetness. The aftertaste is refreshing and inviting, leaving no harshness or cloying residue.

dry finishherbal faderefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
85
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Tenaya Creek Pilsner

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 Tenaya Creek Pilsner

About European-Style Pilsner

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a European-Style 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 European-Style Pilsner

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same clean, bready, crisp character as Tenaya Creek Pilsner will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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