Definition

Noun: 1. A type of pale lager beer: A clear, golden-colored beer characterized by its distinct hoppy (bitter, floral, or spicy) flavor and crisp, clean finish. It is a bottom-fermented beer, meaning it is fermented with yeast that works at cooler temperatures. 2. A beer with a specific origin: The name refers to the city of Pilsen (Plzeň) in the historical region of Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic), where this style of beer was first brewed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He ordered a cold pilsner to go with his meal.
  • The brewery is famous for its traditional Bohemian pilsner.
  • This pilsner has a perfect balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness.

Advanced Usage

• As a style category: "Pilsner" often refers not just to a specific beer but to a broader category or style that many breweries around the world produce. Variations include German (or ), which is typically drier and more bitter, and American-style pilsners.
  • The craft beer menu featured several interpretations of the classic pilsner style.

Variants and Related Words

• Pilsener: An alternative spelling.
• Pils: A common abbreviation, especially in German.
• Lager: The broader family of beers to which pilsner belongs. All pilsners are lagers, but not all lagers are pilsners.

Synonyms

• Pale lager: A descriptive synonym, though "pilsner" specifies a particular hop-forward profile within the pale lager category.
• Bohemian-style lager: Emphasizes the geographical origin and traditional style.

Related Terms (Not Synonyms)

• Hops: The flowers used to flavor beer, contributing bitterness, aroma, and flavor that are central to a pilsner's character.
• Plisner glass: A tall, slender glass often used for serving pilsner beer to showcase its color and maintain its head of foam.

Noun

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