Originating in the 1840s in the town of Plzeň in modern day Czechia, pilsners have had a long and storied history. From their Bohemian roots, the style spread to Germany and other nearby countries where local produce influenced the style and allowed local brewers to put their own spin on things. With many modern brewers in the craft scene trying their hand at emulating the clean, crisp style, it was only a matter of time before experimentation began and they started pushing the boundaries of the term ‘pilsner’.
Highland Park’s ‘Timbo Pils’ was the first to sport the name ‘West Coast Pilsner’ back in 2016, when the brewers needed a cask of specialty beer. All that was on hand was a tank of West Coast IPA and a tank of pilsner. Blended at a 50/50 ratio, it produced a beer with plenty of hop character, while still preserving the drinkability of a crisp lager. While this may have given rise to the style, these days west coast pilsners are fermented purely with lager yeast and not blended like it was on this fateful day.
Unlike traditional pilsners, which emphasise noble hops like Saaz or Hallertau, West Coast Pilsners maintain a clean and crisp mouthfeel, but with a hop forward approach employed alongside American hops like Citra and Mosaic. This results in vibrant citrus, pine and tropical characters, adding an extra layer of complexity to the beer’s otherwise light and crisp profile. The malt bill remains simple, with a subtle bready body acting as the platform for the hops to shine. The alcohol content can vary greatly amongst these hoppy lagers, with anything from the more traditional 4-6% ABV pushing all the way into IPA territory around the 7-8% mark!
This style has gained traction as brewers seek to create lagers with a bit more personality while maintaining their easy-drinking appeal. These days brewers have started experimenting with other new world hops from New Zealand and Australia, with the similar ‘New Zealand Pilsner’ being a popular style amongst hop loving brewers. So, whether you prefer the bold hop character of an IPA, or the crushability of an easy drinking lager, West Coast Pilsners offer the best of both worlds!
Want to explore further?
Take a peek at Carwyn Cellar's range of West Coast Pilsners!
Image: Highland Park Brewery
