Pilsners

The Pilsner or Pilsener is a lager style beer known for its smooth, crisp flavor. Pilsners range in color from light straw to bright golden and are very clear. Often descibed as tasting "grainy" or "grassy" they consist of light malts balanced by a distinct hoppiness. The hops typically provide a spicy bitterness and pleasant floral aroma. They are typically brewed with noble hops such as Saaz or Hallertauer and have an alcohol content between 4% and 5.5%. Although some popular American beers, such as Miller Lite, label themselves as Pilsners, they are generally considered to be American Adjuct Lagers because of the inclusion adjuncts such as sugar, corn, and rice to lighten their flavor.

Pilsners originated in Bohemia in the city of Pilsen, located in former Czechoslovakia, known for its extremely soft water. The city of Pilsen founded a brewery Bürger Brauerei (Citizen's Brewery), in response to consumer dissatisfaction in 1839. They invented a beer using newly-available light malts and stored (or lagered) it in caves. It became an instant success and spread throughout Europe, and eventually, throughout the rest of the world

Pilsners are typically served in a tall, slender glasses called pilsner glasses.  The small diameter allows the head of the beer to linger longer and the height allows one to watch the bubbles rise, a sign of freshness.

The spicy hoppiness of pilsners compliments spicy food well, especially Asian food.  They also pair well with fish.

• Pilsner Urquell - The original Pilsner. This Czech-style Pilsner has a delicious floral hop flavor
  
• Schell's Pilsner - One of my favorite beers of all time. The taste is initially of sweet, bready malts and then transitions to a crisp, dry finish with just the right amount of hop bite.
  
• Victory Prima Pils - Very hoppy for a pilsner. Definitely the way to go if you like hoppy beers.
  
• Sam Adams Noble Pils - The use of all five noble hops gives this beer a complex, floral hoppiness.