Pilsners are increasingly in popularity at beer competitions. Here are the world’s best according to … [+] a recent competition.

More people are interested in who makes the world’s best pilsner than ever before. As I’ve written previously, pilsners have long been the style that brewers order when visiting another brewery. This is because pilsners are clean and simple and there is nowhere for a brewer to hide off flavors.

But these days it’s not just brewers ordering these beers. Brewery patrons are buying more pilsners and major beer competitions across the U.S. have seen an increased number of pilsners entered into competitions for consideration in 2024.

Some of the world’s best pilsners were named at The 2024 North American Brewers Association International Beer and Cider Awards in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Results were announced earlier this summer. Even though U.S. breweries dominated the competition across all categories, the contest was open to breweries across the globe.

The International Beer and Cider Awards evaluated four distinct pilsner types: Bohemian-style pilsner, German-style pilsner, Italian-style pilsner, and West Coast-style pilsner. Pilsners, a category of lager, have seen a surge in popularity within the American craft brewing scene from enthusiasts to casual drinkers. Lagers have seen increased interest in American craft brewing.

Breweries from the West Coast claimed gold medals in each pilsner category with a Portland brewery winning gold for two different pilsners. These are the pilsners awarded gold medals in the 2024 competitions, positioning them as the top pilsners globally.

The best German-style pilsner of the world, as determined by The 2024 North American Brewers Association International Beer and Cider Awards, is crafted by Von Ebert Brewing.

Von Ebert Brewing utilized traditional German pilsner hops to create their award-winning beer, which has a history of competition success. Their pilsner previously secured a gold medal at the 2023 World Beer Cup and a silver at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival. The beer’s tasting notes depict its unique flavors as comprising “fresh flowers, white peppercorn, and lightly toasted crackers.” The brewery also excelled in the pilsner category with two gold medals at this year’s awards.

One of the core beers from this Washington brewery, Silver City Pils is all about enjoying life’s simple pleasures: including an excellent pilsner. “With every sip, its grainy aromas intermingle with subtle hints of water cracker and a touch of honey. Like old friends sharing stories by the fire, the sweetness and bitterness balance perfectly,” notes the brewery.

Von Ebert Brewing makes the world’s best Italian-style pilsner according to the The 2024 North American Brewers Association International Beer and Cider Awards. Von Ebert Brewing clearly has this whole brewing pilsner thing down. Pierre PIlsner is the second gold medal-winning pilsner from this Portland Brewery. With a 4.8 abv, it has, per the brewery, notes of “Ripe strawberry, crackery malt, citrus spritz.”

Like all beers brewed by Berryessa Brewing, Couch Potatoe is unfiltered and naturally carbonated. The beer is brewed with Admiral Maltings Feldblume Malt, Idaho Select Pilsner Malt, potato, and Idaho 7 Hops. The result, according to the brewery is, “a piney, dry, finely balanced brew.”

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