Buy Pilsner Online in NZ

Local brewers lead the way, with Panhead, Emerson's, Parrotdog, Sawmill and Boundary Road all making their own take on the style. From Germany, Krombacher Pils shows the drier, more bitter European approach.

Styles of Pilsner

  • Czech-style pilsner: golden, soft and rounded, with spicy Saaz hops and a bready malt base.
  • German Pils: paler and drier, with a firmer, cleaner bitterness.
  • New Zealand pilsner: brewed with Kiwi hops for bright passionfruit, citrus and white wine notes.

Pilsner is part of our wider Lager range, and local examples also sit under Craft Beer.

How to Choose Pilsner

If you like fruity hop aroma, start with a Kiwi pilsner such as Emerson's Pilsner or Panhead Port Road Pilsner. For a crisper, more traditional bitterness, try Krombacher Pils.

Pilsner FAQs

What does pilsner taste like?

Pilsner tastes crisp and clean, with light bready malt and a noticeable hop bitterness. European hops make it floral, herbal and spicy, while New Zealand hops bring citrus and tropical fruit. The finish is usually dry.

What is the difference between Czech and German pilsner?

Czech pilsner is usually fuller and softer, with rounded malt and spicy Saaz hops. German Pils is typically paler, lighter in body and drier, with a sharper, more lingering bitterness.

What is a New Zealand pilsner?

A New Zealand pilsner is a pale lager brewed with Kiwi hop varieties instead of European ones. The hops give aromas of passionfruit, lime and white wine, while the clean lager base keeps it crisp.

Is Pils the same as pilsner?

Yes, Pils is simply a short name for pilsner. German brewers commonly use it on their labels, as with Krombacher Pils, and it often signals the drier, more bitter German interpretation of the style.