Crisp, golden, and refreshingly bitter – Pilsner is a beer style that helped shape the world’s lager tradition. Originating in the city of Plzeň (Pilsen) in the eighteen-forties, it was the first pale lager of its kind. This revolutionary style quickly became a blueprint for countless lagers that followed. Inspired by that legacy, our Dutch Pilsner recipe offers a crisp, homegrown take on the classic – brewed with 100% Dutch ingredients for a fresh twist on a time-honoured tradition.
In our version, we stay true to tradition while embracing quality ingredients that bring out the beer’s signature malt sweetness, firm hop bitterness, and spicy-herbal aroma. Whether you’re paying homage to the birthplace of pilsner or simply looking for a clean, rewarding brew, this recipe captures the soul of a true Bohemian classic.
| Original gravity | 11 – 12 Plato |
| Colour EBC | 7 – 8 |
| Colour Lovibond | 3.2 – 3.6 |
| Bitterness IBU | 35 – 40 |
| ABV % | 4.6 – 5.0 |
Grain bill
The grain bill for this Dutch Pilsner recipe is simple yet essential to the beer’s character. At its heart is – of course – Pilsner malt. This provides the beer’s light golden colour, subtle sweetness, and a smooth, rounded body that balances the assertive hop bitterness.
| Variety | Quantity kg | Quantity lb | Colour EBC | Colour ºL | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swaen© Dutch Pilsner | 2.8 | 6.2 | 4 | 2 | 61% |
| Swaen© Munich Light | 0.9 | 2.0 | 14 | 5.8 | 19.5% |
| Gold Swaen© Light | 0.9 | 2.0 | 15 | 6.2 | 19.5% |
- Mash in at 66°C (151ºF) and rest for 45 minutes.
- Rest at 71°C (160ºF) for 30 minutes.
- Rest at 78°C (172ºF) for 2 minutes.
Hops
The hop character in a Dutch Pilsner is all about noble elegance and firm bitterness. For this recipe, we use BrabantHop Saaz, a Dutch variety of the traditional Czech Saaz.
| Variety | Quantity g | Quantity oz | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrabantHop Saaz | 30 | 1.1 | 45 min. |
| BrabantHop Saaz | 15 | 0.5 | 30 min. |
| BrabantHop Saaz | 15 | 0.5 | 2 min. |
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Add the first hops after 15 minutes.
- Add the first hops after 75 Minutes.
- Add the first hops after 85 Minutes.
Yeast
| Variety | Quantity g | Quantity oz |
|---|---|---|
| SafLager W34/70 | 16 – 20 | 0.6 – 0.7 |
Fermentation starts at 12ºC (54ºF), raise the temperature to 15ºC (59ºF), cool down to 12ºC (54ºF) during 24 hours. Remove the yeast, mature during 6 weeks at 4°C (39ºF).
Results
Clean and crisp with a spicy hops aroma and flavour. This beer needs to ferment cool and lager for six weeks. However, it is well worth the time and patience.
Appearance
This Dutch Pilsner recipe should provide a bright, golden-yellow colour, with excellent clarity and a nice, white foam head.
Taste profile
Crisp and refreshing, with a pronounced yet smooth bitterness.
Food pairing
In general, Dutch Pilsner pairs best with dishes that are flavourful but not overwhelmingly spicy or rich, letting the beer’s noble hop aroma, smooth bitterness, and malt backbone shine through. We would recommend grilled sausages, mild to medium cheeses, fish and chips, and roast chicken.
