czechbeer

Welcome to the Good Beer Hunting Collective podcast, the show where members of our team interview each other to get the behind the scenes look at some of our favorite articles. I’m Michael Kiser, and I’m the founder and director of Good Beer Hunting.

And for today’s conversation, I was also the photographer. I recently shot a unique story assignment in a remote corner of the Czech Republic, called South Moravia. South Moravia, as you’ll hear, is a famous wine-producing region. And now, it’s also home to one of the country’s most wine-inspired brewers—Jitka Ilčíková of Wild Creatures. 

I was especially keen to go on this assignment because it meant rejoining my friend and colleague, Evan Rail, who lives in Prague. I’ve joined Evan on a few journeys, starting way back around 2013 in Prague and Pilsen, when he first took me to Pilsner Urquell, Kout na Šumavě, and beyond. On this trip we met in Budapest for a conference and hitched a ride from some brewers to Mikulov, where we planned to visit what might be the country’s only wild ale producer. Listen in.

American-Style Pilsener (LAGER BEER STYLES)

Subcategory: Pre-Prohibition American- Style Pilsener- “Noble Hops” which refers to four variety of continental European hops originally grown in Central Europe. The four hop varieties are Tetnanger, Spalt, Hallertauer and Saaz.


Subcategory: Contemporary American-Style Pilsener –
Contemporary versions will exhibit hop and aroma attributes typical of a wide range of American hop varieties, including citrus, fruit-like or others.

(Description courtesy of All About Beer Magazine)

Pilsner styles of beer originate from Bohemia in the Czech Republic. They are medium- to medium-full bodied and are characterized by high carbonation and tangy Czech varieties of hops that impart floral aromas and a crisp, bitter finish.

The hallmark of a fresh pilsner is the dense, white head. The alcohol levels must be such as to give a rounded mouthfeel, typically around 5 percent ABV. Classic pilsners are thoroughly refreshing, but they are delicate and must be fresh to show their best. Great pilsners are technically difficult to make and relatively expensive to produce.


-Color - Straw to gold

-Clarity: Appearance should be bright; chill haze should not be present

-Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Medium-low to medium- Up to 25% corn and/or rice in the grist should be used.

-Hop Aroma and Flavor and Bitterness Medium to high, exhibiting attributes typical of noble-type hops

-Body: Medium-low to medium

-ABV: 4.9%-6.0% - higher ABV than other Pilsners

-Glassware: Pilsner Glass - Typically a tall, slender and tapered 12-ounce glass, shaped like a trumpet at times, that captures the sparkling effervesces and colors of a Pils while maintaining its head.

Examples (courtesy of Beer Advocate)
(https://www.beeradvocate.com)

The Crisp | Sixpoint Brewery

Brewed by:
Sixpoint Brewery
New York, United States
sixpoint.com

Style: Pilsner

Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.40%

Notes / Commercial Description:
Old world craftsmanship with new, clean flavors. Bright pilsner malts meet Noble hop character. The Crisp, American Pilsner innovation. This Brooklyn beauty features a floral, grassy aroma leading into nice bready malt and light lemon before a dry, peppery finish.


Pivo Pils | Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Brewed by:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
California, United States
firestonebeer.com

Style: Pilsner

Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.3%


Notes / Commercial Description:

Pivo Pils is a classically rendered pilsner with a West Coast dry-¬‐hopping twist, showcasing stylistic influences from Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic. Lighter beer styles like pilsner have been hijacked by industrial lager beer in the United States, and it’s time for craft brewers to take it back. Pivo Pils offers impeccable balance with floral aromatics, spicy herbal nuances, and bergamot zest and lemongrass notes from dry hopping with German Saphir hops.

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Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

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