Pilsen vs Pilsner

[redrocker652002]

What is the difference? My local HB store has pilsner but does not carry Pilsen, yet Morebeer has both. I want to take a ride to the local place as I have never been there, but want to make sure I get the right stuff. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[AdjunctBrewer]

Are you referring to malt? For all intents and purposes they're the same. Maybe some very subtle differences in terroir of the barley used and the malting process, which would be most noticeable in a lightly hopped beer.

 

[fluketamer]

interchangeable.

if its within a reasonable distance i would say go. they are a dying breed. you may not have this option in the foreseeable future.

i put off going to my lhbs and recently found out they have closed . (and i missed there 50% off closeout sale)

google came back with pilsen is a city in check republic and pilsner is the malt we make pilsners with.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

maybe my 'search bubble' is better than most

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

[from the title}: Pilsen vs Pilsner

What is the difference? My local HB store has pilsner but does not carry Pilsen, yet Morebeer has both. I want to take a ride to the local place as I have never been there, but want to make sure I get the right stuff. Any input is greatly appreciated.

As @AdjunctBrewer mentioned above, there will be (perhaps subtle) differences between various brands. Without knowing the brand used in the recipe and what's available in the LHBS, maybe the staff there can help. If you can, chew on a couple of kernels of a couple of malts to get an idea of what those malts provide.

 

[jdauria]

Pilsen and Pilsner are basically the same, as is Pilsener. Pilsen is the city in what is now Czechia, Pilsener literally means "from Pilsen", and over the years that got shortened to Pilsner. So when you see Pilsen malt or Pilsner malt, they are the same thing except each maltster will have some subtle differences. For example if you find a shop that carries actually Pilsner malt from the Czechia, it usually is slightly under modified and may require a decoction mash. Where say a Weyermann Pilsner malt is better for a single infusion mash or even a step mash.

Me personally, if I am brewing a Czech lager, I will use pilsner malt from there when I can get it. If not, I use Weyermann's Floor Malted Bohemian Pilsner malt. German lager, then it's Weyermann regular Pilsner malt, or their heirloom malt, Barke Pilsner which has a little more flavor. Weyermann other two heritage pilsner malts, Eraclea and Isaria 1924 are both great too. American style lagers, then I would use regular Weyermann over say Briess malts, but that's just my preferences.

 

[AlexKay]

Pilsen and Pilsner are basically the same, as is Pilsener. Pilsen is the city in what is now Czechia, Pilsener literally means "from Pilsen", and over the years that got shortened to Pilsner. So when you see Pilsen malt or Pilsner malt, they are the same thing except each maltster will have some subtle differences. For example if you find a shop that carries actually Pilsner malt from the Czechia, it usually is slightly under modified and may require a decoction mash. Where say a Weyermann Pilsner malt is better for a single infusion mash or even a step mash.

Me personally, if I am brewing a Czech lager, I will use pilsner malt from there when I can get it. If not, I use Weyermann's Floor Malted Bohemian Pilsner malt. German lager, then it's Weyermann regular Pilsner malt, or their heirloom malt, Barke Pilsner which has a little more flavor. Weyermann other two heritage pilsner malts, Eraclea and Isaria 1924 are both great too. American style lagers, then I would use regular Weyermann over say Briess malts, but that's just my preferences.

My personal experience (tasting grain, as well as side-by-side tasting of beer) is that the maltster for Pilsner malt (and only Pilsner malt!) doesn't really make much of a difference.

I get Victory, midnight wheat, and Extra Special from Briess. Those are good.

Otherwise, use British or Continental malt houses, for everything else.

Unless you have a good local craft maltster to support. Then do that.

(Obviously, the above advice is if you're not price-constrained.)