Pilsner beer – oh-so-smooth and deliciously velvety! This type of pale lager takes its name from the Bohemian city of Pilsen – the city where the world’s first pale lager was produced in 1842. While the drink is often just written off as one of the many kinds of beer, there’s a lot more to it. Here’s what you need to know about pilsner beer and where you can find the best pilsner beer in India.
Before we dive deep into the different brands that offer pilsner beer, let’s understand what makes pilsner unique. A pilsner is a type of pale lager beer that originated in the Czech Republic city of Plzeň (anglicized as the city of Pilsen). Bavarian brewer Josef Groll is believed to have produced the first pilsner beer in the nineteenth century.
A pilsner is the result of a process called ‘lagering’, wherein, during the process, different kinds of lagers, including pilsners, are produced. So, it can be said that all pilsners are lagers, but not all lagers are pilsners! A lager is a kind of beer that is made with a type of yeast best suited to bottom-fermenting at colder temperatures. Pilsners also follow this procedure.
During this process, which is often called ‘lagering’, these different kinds of beer are made with a carbonation and brewing process at cold temperatures. The yeast used in this process must spend longer periods fermenting at the bottom of a container; hence, the process is also called ‘bottom-fermenting’. The resultant lager varies in terms of how light or dark it is or how much alcohol content – ‘alcohol by volume’ (ABV) it carries.
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The Kingfisher Ultra Max was launched in 2015 by United Breweries and is made using the finest imported Pilsen malt. The slow-brewing and prolonged maturation process gives the beer a ‘maximum’ and well-rounded flavor and texture that’s unlike any other!
Quantity | Price (in INR) |
330 ml | 170 |
500 ml (can) | 210 |
650 ml | 300 |
Another brand famous in India for their pilsner beer is London Pilsner. After all, how can you not expect quality pilsner from a brand that literally mentions it out-loud in their name? London Pilsner beer is known for its sweet aroma and fruity and mellowy taste and we think you should definitely try it!
Quantity | Price (in INR) |
330 ml | 90 |
500 ml (can) | 100 |
650 ml | 140 |
Another brand that offers irresistible pilsner lagers is Beck’s. With a beautiful head and that glistening golden color, Beck’s is a lager that offers a complex, full-bodied, sweet, yet balanced experience. The beer is characterized by its European Noble hop aromas and floral and fruity notes that make the drinking experience much more enjoyable!
Price: Starting from INR 140 onwards
If you’ve visited Goa in the 80s and 90s, you must’ve come across ubiquitous brown bottles of King’s – then considered to be one of the most iconic drinks in the state. And now that the brand has relaunched in the state as well as Mumbai, you might get to experience nostalgia in a bottle!
Price: INR 60 for a 325 ml bottle
Is it even possible to talk about pilsner without mentioning the iconic Corona Extra? This drink was first brewed in 1927 in Mexico and has been one of the world’s most recognizable drinks of its kind. Have it chilled or stir it up to make beer cocktails like a Michelada or a Margarita, the choice is yours!
Quantity | Price (in INR) |
330 ml | 200 |
500 ml (can) | 250 |
Also Read Kingfisher Beer In India: Prices, Calories & Types
You know that this is THE golden rule that beer connoisseurs abide by – and we think you must follow it if you wish to truly enjoy your beer. What separates an average beer-drinking experience from a memorable one is a chilled bottle of your favorite beer. It is not only refreshingly good but also brings out flavors and textures that you wouldn’t taste in a beer served at room temperature.
They say that the right company can make all the difference, and it applies in the case of drinks as well! Serve easy-to-pick bite-sized munchies and snacks in small bowls when enjoying beer with your friends and family. Spiced peanuts, cashew nuts, almonds, fresh salads, spicy and flavorful foods like pizza slices, sliders, and onion rings, and even sweets like cheesecakes and pound cakes can pair well with pilsner-style beer. To be honest, almost anything spicy, flavorful, crunchy, and indulgent can pair well with a beer, so we recommend experimenting and mixing and matching it!
Nowadays, you can easily get personalized pilsner beer glasses with your initials, and it doesn’t even take much time. It adds the right amount of personal touch to your drinkware and makes parties and get-togethers feel even more special and intimate. Plus, if you’re attending someone else’s party, you can gift them a personalized pilsner beer glass with their initials or name!
Food and drinks do make it fun, but why stop there when you can make it even more fun with some exciting games? And if it's beer pong, get ready to compete with your best buddies – we’re sure everyone gets in their competitive mode when it comes to beer pong. All you need is cups and, well, beer! And while winning and losing are an undeniable part of the game, what’s also undeniable is the fun you’re going to have gulping down all that beer! You can also play plenty of card games, truth or dare, or anything else you’re fond of!
We hope we guided you through the basics of a pilsner beer – what it is and the different brands selling it in India. Plus, now that we’ve helped you out on how you can enjoy your beer, it’s time to crack open those bottles, serve that rich, bright golden-hued pilsner, and get the party started!
