The World’s Best Pilsner—According To Untappd Ratings
The world's best pilsner is Poetica 3 from Vermont's Hill Farmstead Brewery according to Untappd ratings. The Czech- or Bohemian-style pilsner received a 4.34 rating outshining the next nearest lager by 6 decimal points. This isn't a surprise. Hill Farmstead has long been one of the world's most celebrated breweries and has been the destination of many a Vermont-centric beer trip. In fact, of the top six highest-rated pilsners, four of them — and the top four at that — were variations of this beer from Hill Farmstead. The list was rounded out by a pilsner from Highland Park Brewery in California and a pilsner from Suarez Brewery in Hudson, New York. Both these breweries are also acclaimed and it's also not surprising to see them earn accolades. Highland Park was recently crowned brewery of the year at the Great American Festival where it won more gold medals than any other brewery. Suarez is an acclaimed Hudson Valley Brewery that regularly ranks on best brewery lists.
Below we'll take a closer look at the best pilsner and why Untappd users loved it, as well as the top six overall. Untappd is a user-generated beer-rating app used by millions. The rating is based on a five-point scale. Untappd's formula combines the sum of all beer ratings divided by the number of beer ratings.
While I have mixed feelings about beer rankings in general, this time it's hard to argue with the results. I love all three of these breweries and make a point of having any beer from them I see when there's an opportunity. Poetica 3 might not be your favorite pilsner and these six might not be your personal top six, but they are all great pilsners.
The World's Best IPAs—According To Untappd Ratings The Best Pilsner In The U.S.—According To The Great American Beer Festival Poetica 3 Hill Farmstead BreweryRating: 4.34
Subcategory: Czech/Bohemian pilsner
Why people love this beer: This beer is brewed with Czech Saaz hops and fermented with Czech and German lager yeast in a French oak puncheon in the brewery's cooler. One reviewer praised the beer's "Buttery bread, fizzy tight carbonation."
Poetica 2 Hill Farmstead BreweryRating: 4.28
Subcategory: German pilsner
Why people love this beer: Aged for more than 5 months this is another impressive Poetica variant. "Lots of depth for a simple style," wrote one reviewer. "Very grainy and earthy up front. Sweetness follows, then a note of sushi rice? Unique."
Poetica and Poetica 1 From Hill Farmstead BreweryRating: 4:27
Subcategory: German pilsner
Why people love these beers: These two beers both earned a score of 4.27 tying for third-best pilsner honors according to Untappd. Poetica 1 is aged in French oak barrels for two months and then conditioned and naturally carbonated in stainless steel for another three months. "Wow. That is just an incredible Pilsner," wrote one reviewer. "Light, clean, & crisp, with just enough hoppyness." Poetica is a blend of Poetica 1 and 2 and earns praise for combining the flavors of the two beloved beers.
DDH Timbo Pils From Highland Park BreweryRating: 4.17
Subcategory: A double-hopped West Coast pilsner which Untapped ranks in its "Other pilsner" category
Why people love this beer: Highland Park Brewery in Los Angeles recently earned the most gold medals from the Great American Beer Festival competition . This is the double-hopped version of the brewery's West Coast Pilsner. One reviewer called it "Drier than English toast."
Palatine Pils From Suarez BreweryRating: 4.17
Subcategory: German pilsner
Why people love this beer: The house pilsner from Suarez is one of many incredible pilsners brewed at this Hudson Valley beer destination. "Really nice mineral content on this batch, all over the nose alongside lemon, toast, flowers, herbal tea," wrote one reviewer. "Palate is layers of toast and cracker, distinct stony minerality, potpourri and flowers on the backend. Crispy bitterness that sticks around."
