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BitburgerPremium BeerABV 4.6% • Vol 330 ml • bottle • Germany • Cheap • Flavour 6
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This is a fairly well-known imported German pils. It is a straw-coloured lager with little or no head and an aroma of hops and vanilla, with some disappointing chemically, tinny notes reminiscent of a cheap lager. On the palate it is dry and bitter with some slightly smoky hop flavours and a touch of soft malt. Towards the finish the hops are dominant, but not overpowering, and the aftertaste fades into light bitterness and vanilla notes. Although this is very refreshing and easy to drink, it is slightly disappointing and cheaper tasting than we remember - it's clear that the unpasteurised domestic version is better than the sterile export beer reviewed. OBBD reviewer: Sparks |
Review updated 18 May 1999
The best beer that I've ever had.
Claire Romano
Best beer in the world. Nothing makes me fuller.
Le Seel
quite good on a summers day.
Love the stuff!
Mark French
If you love this stuff please, please, please go get some Pilsner Urquell and start your journey towards true beer enlightenment. You can only go up from here.
Alan Moum
Really great pils and one of the best in Germany. But, there is a very strange thing here. I had this beer in the bottles a lot of times in Russia and recently I've been to Cologne and bought a bottle of my favourite Bit-Burger in a supermarket. When I opened it and had a first sip my impression was terrible. That Bit was just a shit! I know very well the palate of this beer but that time I was dissapointed very much. I don't know the explanation where is the difference between the great Bit I had in Moscow (which was from Germany too) and that shit I did in Cologne. I think it might be vice versa but it isn't so. Strange, strange, very strange!
Alexei Dontchenko
Best beer in the world
German Beer Expert
You really must try the brewery trip.
Don, Rutland
While stationed in Bitburg Ger. in the early 1970s a lot of Bitburger Pils was consumed during card games. A fantastic beer like no other you will taste. Far better than anything brewed in America. If only I could find it locally.
Eddie McCartney
It has actually 4,8 ABV and if you are able to fill a glass correctly it will have also a nice rocky head. Bitburger is definetly drier than the average Pilsener. Currently(2002) #3 in Germany.
Vladi Bronstein
I like it very much as a summer refresher but would go along with Alan Moum on Urquell which is now easily available.
Anthony Hurst
Nice dry Rhineland Lager. Could say 'a classic', but won't do it 'coz most of the regional beers are much sweeter. Nice brew, needs a proper handling. Give it a 8!
Ernie
The Bitburger brewery has been going since 1817, but it was in 1883 that they brewed their first Pilsener, claiming to be among the first in Germany to do so - and winning a court battle in 1913 to use the term Pilsener. In a country which prides itself on its distinctive regional breweries Bitburger achieved distinction by making a universal lager and selling it all over the place! There is some light sweetness and a pinch of salt. But a long developing hop finish is the key thing to this lager. Everything is quite soft and laid back, then the hops quietly assert themselves finishing with a long dry bitterness. Decent, and decent quality, but for this non-lager lout it remains simply a lager.
Silk Tork
Just back from Germany, discovered Bitburger-now hooked!
Looking for local supplier.
Stuart Batt
Not even close to being the best beer in Germany--try at least ten others before you try this cheap tasting, middle of the road brand.
Peter
Wenn ich Pils trinke, dann nur ein BIT
Frank
This has to be the best tasting beer I've ever had. If you live in California, you can find it in any of the Trader Joe's Markets. Enjoy!!
Ursula
i live in germany, thanks to the army! Each town makes its own beer, i drink the darmstadter, and live in darmstadt, but during the summer nothing is better then the BitBurger, i really think more people should try it.
Gregg
Hi, I live in Germany too. and bitburger is a great beer. if you like it, try also "Königs Pilsner".
Must drink beers:
-bitburger
-königs pilsner
-Pilsner Urquell
-Budweiser
-Tucher (Weizen)
-Köstrizer (Schwarzbier - black beer)
-flensburger
-jever
bye have fun ^^
Marco
Sorry to say, but this is definitely one of our less prominent and actually pretty ordinary beers. I do not agree with the judges statement concerning the head. Either the beer was far too cold when poured or he doesn't know how to pour a German beer. All German Pilsener Beers develope a lovely Krone (German for crown = head) when poured correctly. Personally I like to drink German beers at a temperature between 8 degrees to 12 degrees Celsius. They should be poured very much like Guinness. How to serve German bottleed beer correctly: rinse the glass with cold water, shake of the excess, tilt the glass slightly, pour about 2/3 of the bottle content (in one swift movement) allowing the head to rise and then settle. You will notice that the head will reduce and and thicken, now pour the rest.... Enjoy. Oh, I just wanted to add, this beer is a lot better from tap of course, but in a proper German pub, pouring it should take 5 to 7 min. ;-) none the less good stuff
Dan the German
Nice drink but not half as refeshing as Coors Fine Light Beer.
Jo
Im about to put this beer into my bar on draft and bottle. It is a very top end bar and so the beer must be to. I will report what the people of Bromley,Kent make of it.
Robbie.
The best beer I've ever had, second to the now not available "rio cristal"
phil
I have a more positive opinion of this beer. I too found it very easy drinking but also full of taste, without bitterness and a real quality German lager. Unlike Pilsener Urquell, Bitburger is not bitter though Budvar is also a favourite of mine.
Robin
I hate this beer - does anyone know where I can get lots of it in UK? I used to get it from the Co-op but they closed down - miserable b...gers - help me suffer
mikeshirley@peck80.freeserve.co.uk
This beer tastes best when served by lesbians under the australian sun.......
gretel
Great beer when served fresh and domestic. The import does not even come close to a good comparison. Best if consumed in Germany!
Ken
I have visited and lived in 21 different countries and have to say that in all the world there is only one beer. Bitburger Pils. All the rest are mearly imitations and wannabe's. Bitburger Pils should be universally available but then again if the tried to sell it in quantity to the world they would have to resort to the chemical laced concoctions American companies are trying to pass off as beer.
Best on tap, in a German Pub, but even the export stuff available in the USA is light years ahead of American beer.
Jim345
Here is another expat in Germany. Bitburger is the be-all and end-all of Pilsener beers. There's nothing to equal it - and by the way it comes from one Germany's biggest breweries. Recently (6.2004) I tried their alcohol free beer and was very pleasantly surprised. It's really pretty good although no match for the real thing. However, if you have to drive you couldn't do much better - and you can go on drinking it all night.
BarryM
Do not judge this beer by the export version. The reals stuff from the tap is manna from heaven. I love this beer, and would rate it one of the best German pilseners.
Charles F, USA
Got a case on the way from Majestic and praying its as good as the stuff ive had on tap in Aachen and other pretty 'Westphalia' towns. Agree with many of the comments above about pouring , timing etc. Had a Bitburger 'drive' the other day in a local bar, not bad for a non- alcohol version. My dream drink -'Bitte Ein Bit!'
G in london
This site wants to be an expert guide for beer world wide ? So change the picture on top of Bitburger Pils, cause such a Pils in a glass in Germany is a sin ! Any German guest would sent the waiter back with this glass. It´s the wrong glass for Pils and it´s without the "flower", the white creamy foam on top. To draw the right, the perfect flower is a kind of art. Especially for Pils. So please change this disgusting picture.
Can you supply us with a better one?? Ed.
Marc
Best beer ever. Will like to get it in the states
Hector
Hector, you can get it in the States, but it doesn't taste near as good as it does in Germany. The reviewer hit the nail on the head for Bitburger.
Charles Sanders
Best beer i've ever had , my wife is german and when we visit the inlaws we always load up the car with as much as the suspension will take.
John Stokes
You can also get Bitburger Drive - good stuff, I tried it in Sausage, Nottingham. They've got a wide selection of beers from Belgium, Germany, Czech, France etc. You can check out their full range at www.sausagebar.com
S. Kiddman
due to a medical conditioon i can`t have alcohol. please can you tell me the calorie content in a bottle of bitburger drive, which i find a good replacement.
peter@tinklane.fsnet.co.uk
Not perfect, but oh so drinkable.
Anyone got an aspirin?
Neal
I have spent several very happy evenings thoroughly enjoying draught Bitburger while staying at the Studland Dene Hotel in Bournemouth. Even better, despite 6 (or maybe 7)pints having been consumed on each occasion, I have always woken up with a clear head and no hang over. It is just me?
Tim lyon
why do germans get best beer and we dont get the best beer?
Fantastic beer we had some in a lovely country of course being germany in a nice village called altenahr and i wish THEY COULD SELL BITBURGER IN ENGLAND LIKE MORRISONS TESCO ASDA OR LIDIL
LEE FALLOWS
Best Beer I had while stationed in Germany from 75-79. Have had it since then, but nothing like going to the brewery and picking up a case.
Patrick Burns
Best Beer I had while stationed in Germany from 75-79. Have had it since then, but nothing like going to the brewery and picking up a case.
Patrick
Not as popular in Germany since it moved to a new brew house.
Try Krombacher
John
I think Silk Tork's comments are closest to my own view of this beer, although I found Dan the German's advice very helpful in general terms. Thanks, Dan!
PS A fine head when I poured it anyway!
Trevor Pike
Sparks has never drunken a fresh draught Bitburger Pils, nor a "Stubbi" in Germany!!! The beer does not tast after vanilla at all and when served as draught it comes with a nice head on top! Without a head the beer is refered to be "Schaal", which means it is standing there already for three hours. Then of course the taste is awful. The beer is after my opinion the best in the world. At least you can taste the ingredients. And despite when you stick to a good Bit, it won't leave you with a bad hangover. However, Bitburger is not everyones taste, because of its bitter aftertaste. The best thing to do is to drive to Trier or Bitburg and try it yourself.
Thorsten tlbl2004@yahoo.de
one of the best pilsner that i ever had. but as draught beer much better than from can.
Paul
Bitburger has clear sharp bitter taste. It has his own freshness und clearness, but has lack of a deeper impression. A good beer, but not the best one.
Swen
Honestly, I've tried a lot of German beers (living in Berlin and all!) and I have to say I'm surpised at the enthusiasm for Bitburger here, don't get me wrong it's okay, but doesn't even compare to the Munchen beers or, in my humble opinion, even Radeberger. Augustine Hefe blows it away...
mm
Almost impossible to get hold of
Mike
just a beer that's comparable to many other german helle - nothing special at all ..
Harry Haegar
I've just had three pints of Bitburger while at a "Danu" concert in Lichfield.Best German beer, best Irish band.
Clive Faulkner
OMG ... What are you talking about? Little or No Head? That is not correct. And what sort of glass is that in the picture?
M
This is a great pilsner. Highly recommended. You can taste great loads of hops and high quality ingredients. Brewed according to the German purity law and you can really tell.
Robin
Hi, I'm born in Bitburg and practically grown up with it. When I moved to the US, I missed it, but guess what I am now living in Ireland and have found it here on sale and I'm happy again...
Christina Schmitz
Best Beer in Germany
Sigrid Hatcher
Sadly Bitburger is much better in Germany than overseas, as it is pasturised for export sales.
There really is a massive difference in quality between the two versions.
Will Smale
Best beer I've ever had.
Soldier stationed in Heidelberg
My London neighbor returned from a cycling trip in Germany, and paid me a case of this stuff for looking after his cat. Wow. What a sweet deal. A leathered fisted glove of taste to the face. Yum.
Bradford Gross
Tried this beer when I was in Ireland, and after I tried over 30 different beers this one stood alone
Chris
i love the non alcoholic version of this beer (bitburger drive) just like my dad gave me when i was small. beutiful lager. 8/10
unbiased
Definitely one of the best beers i've had. I absolutely love it.
pariana
I love bitburger so much I go pissed on it
mick denski
I had an entire mini-keg of this stuff and got thoroughly "bit". It went down smooth and was very refreshing. Well worth the night in jail.
Glen Campbell
Next to mickey's big mouth, this must be one of my favorites. I also like olde english 800 and colt 45.
Tyree in da ATL
As far as German Pilsners go, even the mass produced ones, it's far from the best. A bit watery for my liking.
Tom, York
As a native Bitburger now living in the US, I agree it is one of the best in the world. However, the bottled export version found in the US tastes absolutely 100% terrible. I now save my consumption of Bitburger for when I go back for a visit.
Al
[March 2008, On draught at the Red Lion, Southwold] Pours with a decent size, lasting head. Initially lemony, then strong herbal and cut grass flavours, becoming a little dry and sour in the aftertaste. Refreshing, not a bad lager, but there's nothing here to distinguish it from other central European brews of this genre. (4/10)
wheresthepath
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