August Schell Pils
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Tasting Notes
Typical of a well-made German Pilsener, this lager leads with a clean, grassy and lightly floral hop aroma, backed by subtle bready malt sweetness. The palate is lean and moderately bitter, with the hops staying prominent through a dry, snappy finish. Body is light to medium, with tight carbonation that keeps the bitterness focused rather than harsh. The overall character is precise and restrained, favoring balance over boldness.
About the Brewery
August Schell Brewing Company is based in New Ulm, Minnesota, and was founded in 1860, making it one of the oldest family-owned breweries in the United States. It survived Prohibition by producing soft drinks and near-beer, and has remained in the Schell family for six generations. The brewery is particularly well regarded for its German-style lagers, which reflect the deep German immigrant heritage of New Ulm. Its grounds, including historic gardens and a deer park, are a regional landmark.
Food Pairings
A German Pilsener like this pairs well with bratwurst or grilled pork sausage, where the dry bitterness cuts through the fat cleanly. Roast chicken works because the malt backbone complements the savory skin without competing. Soft pretzels with mustard are a natural match, the salt and tang amplifying the hop character. Lighter seafood dishes such as steamed mussels or grilled whitefish also align well, since the beer's lean body won't overwhelm delicate flavors. Hard cheeses like Gruyère or aged Gouda find a good counterpart in the bitterness.
Style Guide
German Pilsener is a pale, bottom-fermented lager defined by pronounced hop bitterness, a dry finish, and a restrained malt presence that serves as background rather than feature. It originated in the Bohemian city of Pilsen in the 1840s before German brewers developed their own drier, more aggressively hopped interpretation. Compared to Czech Pilsner, the German version is notably crisper and less malt-forward, with less of the soft, rounded body found in the Bohemian original. ABV typically falls between 4.5% and 5.5%.