Brauerei C. & A. Veltins - Veltins Pilsener

Brauerei Veltins’ flagship beer presents a pale golden-straw color with crystal clarity and a large, bright head of foam. It’s a classic German pils in the aroma, with noble hops taking our attention at first sniff, offering grassy-herbal notes backed by some earthy spice and just a hint of lemon. Some very clean pils malt sits below, delivering crisp crackery impressions. Expect a refreshing brew on the palate, with a nicely hoppy presence to this lager giving us the authentic aforementioned grassy spice notes and a moderate level of bitterness that’s more than enough to easily balance the malt character which comes across with that clean crackery note. Lively carbonation adds lift and bite, and drives a nicely dry character through to the crisp finish which leaves us reaching for yet another sip. For pairing options, it’s hard to go wrong with fried or spicy foods, and lighter dishes in general can also pair well. Pizza or calzones with spicy Italian sausage, shrimp & vegetable tempura, grilled shrimp or chicken skewers, carnitas tacos, salads with grilled chicken, croutons, and lemon vinaigrette... so much sounds good to us. Prost!

In the 19th century, the founder of the Veltins family brewery, Clemens Veltins, pursued his passion for beer and brewing by undertaking a six-year journey to learn the art, including time in the U.S.’s brewing nexus of Milwaukee. In 1852, he returned home to the Sauerland region of Germany and took over ownership of a small pub brewery in the little village of Grevenstein. In 1883, a major upgrade was made when he built a new, much larger brewhouse featuring electric power.

In 1905, the next generation took over, represented by Clemens’ twin sons, Carl & Anton. In the 1920s, Carl’s son, Carl Jr., succeeded him, and it was at this time that the brewery’s current name, C. & A. Veltins, was born. Situated in an idyllic location in the hilly green countryside, the brewery became quite the high-tech novelty as it was improved with expanded electric lighting, refrigeration systems, ice machines, bottle filling machines, and motorized delivery trucks. Due to the brewery’s access to incredibly soft spring water, Carl Jr. focused the brewery’s production on Pilsner-style beer.

In 1964, under the leadership of fourth generation family brewer, Rosemarie Veltins, the brewery continued its expansion and became one of the largest in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, producing over 1 million hectoliters per year by 1984. From 1994 to the current day, the brewery has been managed by Clemens Veltins’ great-great-granddaughter, Susanne Veltins, as the brewery remains family owned and operated. With approximately 500 employees, Veltins produces their flagship Veltins Pilsener, their V+ brand of beer mixers, an alcohol-free Pilsener, and the Grevensteiner brand, featuring a traditional country beer and a helles lager, both “naturtrüb” (unfiltered). For more info on this excellent independent German country brewery, visit www.veltins.com.