pFriem Pilsner
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Tasting Notes
The aroma opens with grassy, floral hops — likely Hallertau or a German noble variety — layered over clean, slightly sweet malt. On the palate, the bitterness is firm but not aggressive, with a lean, bready malt base that stays out of the way and lets the hops lead. The body is light without feeling thin, and the finish is dry with a lingering herbal bitterness that fades cleanly. This is a well-attenuated lager that rewards attention rather than demanding it.
About the Brewery
pFriem Family Brewers is based in Hood River, Oregon, situated at the confluence of the Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge. Founded in 2012 by Josh pFriem and partners, the brewery built its reputation on Belgian-influenced ales and lagers brewed with notable technical precision. They have expanded into a wide range of styles — from barrel-aged sours to classic European lagers — and are widely regarded as one of the more serious craft operations in the Pacific Northwest.
Food Pairings
A German Pilsner's dry, herbal bitterness and lean malt profile make it a natural match for roast chicken, where the hops cut through the fat without overwhelming the meat. Weisswurst or bratwurst pair well because the bready malt echoes the mild pork flavor while carbonation clears the palate between bites. A simple green salad with a mustard vinaigrette works because the beer's bitterness aligns with the acidity of the dressing rather than fighting it. Mild cheeses like Gouda or Havarti let the hop character stay in focus without the cheese flattening the beer's drier notes.
Style Guide
German Pilsener — sometimes spelled Pilsner — is a pale lager defined by pronounced hop bitterness from noble German varieties, a dry finish, and a clean, restrained malt backbone. It originated in Bohemia in the 1840s but the German interpretation, centered in northern cities like Hamburg and Berlin, skews drier and more bitter than its Czech counterpart, which tends toward a rounder, softer body. ABVs typically run between 4.5 and 5.2 percent, keeping the beer food-friendly and sessionable. Where American adjunct lagers sacrifice bitterness for neutrality, a proper German Pilsener keeps the hops firmly in the foreground.