Style: Classic American Pilsner

All Styles

Style Profile based on 370 recipes

BU:GU

0.54

Hops

5.3 g/L

Mash pH

5.59

Dry Hop

0.3 g/L

Style Guidelines AABC 2010
OG
1.044 1.06
1.053
FG
1.01 1.015
1.012
IBU
25 40
29
ABV
4.5% 6%
5.5%
SRM
3 6
Description

Yellow to deep gold colour. Substantial, long lasting white head. Bright clarity. Aroma Low to medium grainy, corn-like or sweet maltiness may be evident (although rice-based beers are more neutral). Medium to moderately high hop aroma, often classic noble hops. Clean lager character, with no fruitiness or diacetyl. Some DMS is acceptable. Flavour: Moderate to moderately high maltiness similar in character to the Continental Pilsners but somewhat lighter in intensity due to the use of up to 30% flaked maize (corn) or rice used as an adjunct. Slight grainy, corn-like sweetness from the use of maize with substantial offsetting hop bitterness. Rice-based versions are crisper, drier, and often lack corn-like flavours. Medium to high hop flavour from noble hops (either late addition or first-wort hopped). Medium to high hop bitterness, which should not be coarse nor have a harsh aftertaste. No fruitiness or diacetyl. Should be smooth and well-lagered. Mouthfeel: Medium body and rich, creamy mouthfeel. Medium to high carbonation levels.

Typical Grain Bill

% of total grain weight across all recipes · sums to ~100%

Common Additions

% of Classic American Pilsner recipes using each malt category (addition % in brackets)

Hop Usage by Addition Type

g/L · median with IQR range

Bittering
0.55 g/L 1.5 g/L
1.07 g/L
Flavour
0.5 g/L 1.5 g/L
1.11 g/L
Aroma
0.63 g/L 1.5 g/L
1.25 g/L
Whirlpool
0.58 g/L 2.73 g/L
1.13 g/L
Dry Hop
0.5 g/L 2.82 g/L
1.13 g/L
Common Hops

% of Classic American Pilsner recipes using each hop

Dry-Hop Rate by Year

g/L · median with IQR range

2019
0.43 g/L 0.43 g/L
0.43 g/L
2020
0.96 g/L 1.51 g/L
1.11 g/L
2022
0.51 g/L 0.91 g/L
0.66 g/L
2023
1.4 g/L 4.6 g/L
3 g/L
2024
0.29 g/L 3.2 g/L
0.46 g/L

dated Classic American Pilsner recipes with at least one dry-hop addition

Mash Profile
  • 73% Single Infusion
  • 23% Step Mash
  • 4% Decoction

71 recipes with mash data

Typical Water Profile
  • 15 ppm Ca²⁺
  • 3 ppm Mg²⁺
  • 5 ppm Na⁺
  • 15 ppm Cl⁻
  • 25 ppm SO₄²⁻
  • 25 ppm HCO₃⁻

median across recipes with a declared water profile