Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of beer: A pilsener is a specific style of pale lager beer. It is characterized by its clear, golden color, a notable crisp and clean taste, and a pronounced, often bitter, flavor from hops. The style originated in the city of Pilsen (Plzeň) in the Czech Republic.

Usage

• As a common noun: The word is used to refer to this specific beer style, whether discussing its history, taste, or examples from different breweries.
• As a proper noun (capitalized): When referring specifically to the original beer from Pilsen, it is sometimes capitalized as "Pilsener" or "Pilsner."

Examples

• Noun:
  • I'll have a cold pilsener, please.
  • The brewery is famous for its traditional pilsener.
  • He prefers the hoppy bite of a pilsener over other lagers.

Advanced Usage

• "Pilsner glass": A specific tall, slender glass designed to showcase the color, carbonation, and aroma of a pilsener beer.
  • The bartender poured the draft into a chilled pilsner glass.

Variants and Related Words

• Pilsner (n): A common alternative spelling for pilsener. The terms are largely interchangeable.
• Bohemian pilsner (n): A term specifying the original, Czech-style pilsener, emphasizing a softer water profile and Saaz hops.
• German pils (n) or pilsener (n): A variant of the style brewed in Germany, typically with a drier, more bitter finish than its Bohemian counterpart.

Synonyms

• Pale lager: This is the broader category of beer to which pilsener belongs. Not all pale lagers are pilseners, but all pilseners are a type of pale lager.
• Plisner: An archaic or alternative spelling.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning is tied directly to the city of origin (Pilsen) and the specific brewing method developed there in 1842. It distinguishes itself from other lagers by its clear appearance (due to the use of pale malt) and its assertive hop character.
• While "pilsener" is a distinct style, the term is sometimes used generically (especially in North America) to refer to any pale, light-colored lager. In precise brewing terminology, this is incorrect.

Noun

1. a pale lager with strong flavor of hops; first brewed in the Bohemian town of Pilsen