V.I.P. Pils

Tasting Notes

On the nose, expect light grainy malt with a subtle floral and herbal hop character — restrained but clean. The palate delivers a dry, moderately bitter profile with a lean malt backbone that stays out of the way of the hops. Body is light to medium, with good attenuation giving it a dry finish that lingers with a mild bitterness. It's a textbook Italian Pils in that the bitterness is present but polished, never harsh.

About the Brewery

Birra Forst is one of Italy's oldest and most established breweries, based in Forst, a small village near Merano in South Tyrol — a German-speaking alpine region with strong Central European brewing traditions. Founded in 1857, it operates from one of Italy's most iconic brewery sites and has long been a dominant commercial presence in northern Italy. Their lineup leans toward lagers and pilsners that reflect the brewery's alpine, Germanic heritage rather than the craft movement.

Food Pairings

Light seafood dishes like grilled branzino or fried calamari work well because the dry bitterness cuts through oil without overwhelming delicate flavors. A classic margherita pizza pairs naturally since the lean malt won't compete with fresh tomato and mozzarella. Prosciutto crudo and mild cheeses like mozzarella di bufala offer a salty contrast that the dry finish handles cleanly. Roast chicken with herbs echoes the beer's own herbal hop notes in a complementary way.

Style Guide

Italian Pilsner is a variation on the broader European pale lager and Pilsner tradition, distinguished by a notably dry finish, higher hop bitterness than German Pils, and an emphasis on hop aroma — often using noble or continental varieties. ABVs typically sit in the 4.5–5.5% range. It shares DNA with both German and Czech Pilsners but tends to be drier and more hop-forward than the former and less malt-rounded than the latter. The style was popularized by Italian craft brewers in the 2000s and 2010s seeking a distinctly Italian take on the lager tradition.