Hanscraft & Co. Kellerpils

Pilsner is still the undisputed favorite beer of the Germans: Crisp, bitter and honest, it delights the masses and beats even the onslaught of modern, innovative and flavorful craft beers. But that's also because many young craft brewers are releasing their very own interpretations of the classic, catapulting the pilsner into the present.

The Aschaffenburg brewery Hanscraft & Co. has also reinterpreted the pilsner: With just one hop variety, brewer Christian is able to conjure up a wondrous complexity and depth in the beer. A wonderfully fruity aroma and refreshing hoppiness on the palate lift Hanscraft's Kellerpils above the gray masses.

The pale beer flows into the glass in a shiny golden amber hue and is minimally cloudy because it has not been filtered. A fine-pored, white foam crowns the golden beer and exudes a subtly balanced aroma of floral hops, crisp malt and tangy citrus. A hint of green herbs elegantly complements the hop flower. Even here, Hanscraft's pilsner stands out from its often monotonous peers! And the finish is also inspiring: surprisingly fruity and wonderfully floral, the hops spread out in the mouth. A fine, well-balanced malt base lies under the manifold hop layers and cleverly complements the hoppy freshness. The initially restrained bitterness increases to a crisp bitter finish that definitely leaves you wanting more.

A really successful Pils from the cauldron of the Franconian brewers at Hanscraft.