Appendix B · Local Styles (Appendix B)
New Zealand Pilsner
A clean, pale lager with New Zealand hops that bring tropical fruit, citrus and white grape notes. Refreshing, with a dry finish.
New Zealand Pilsner by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.5 – 5.8%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 25 – 45 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 2 – 6 SRM4–12 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.044 – 1.056on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.009 – 1.014on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What New Zealand Pilsner is like
A pale, clean, refreshing lager with pronounced New Zealand hop aroma and flavor. The hops bring tropical fruit, citrus and white wine notes that set it apart from European Pilsners. The malt stays in the background.
Appearance
Straw to gold, very clear. White head with good retention.
Aroma
Moderate to high hops with tropical fruit, citrus, white grape or gooseberry, over soft grainy malt. Clean fermentation.
Flavor
Soft grainy malt with intense fruity hops and medium to high bitterness. Dry, clean finish, with no residual sweetness.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body, medium to high carbonation.
Where New Zealand Pilsner comes from
It emerged in New Zealand with the craft boom of the late 20th century, when brewers started using local hop varieties in pilsner-style lagers. It has become a hallmark of New Zealand beer.
Ingredients
Pilsner or pale malt, sometimes with a little wheat or Munich malt. New Zealand hops such as Motueka, Nelson Sauvin or Wakatu. Clean lager yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew New Zealand Pilsner at home
Ferment with lager yeast at 9-12 °C (48-54 °F), do a diacetyl rest by raising it to 15-16 °C (59-61 °F) for a few days, and lager cold for several weeks. Put most of the hops at the end of the boil and in the dry hop. The classic mistake is a dirty or sulfury fermentation that masks the hops.
Food pairing
Seared fish, shellfish or Thai food.
Glassware: Teku glass, a tasting glass that works with almost any style.
Classic examples
- Emerson's Pilsner
Frequently asked questions
How strong is New Zealand Pilsner?
Between 4.5% and 5.8% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is New Zealand Pilsner?
It has 25 to 45 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is New Zealand Pilsner?
Straw to gold: 2 to 6 SRM (4 to 12 EBC).
What food pairs well with New Zealand Pilsner?
Seared fish, shellfish or Thai food.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try German Pils, Czech Premium Pale Lager and American Pale Ale.
If you like New Zealand Pilsner, try these
Classification and statistics: official New Zealand Pilsner guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.