However, the testers found traces of the weed killer glyphosate, which is suspected of causing cancer, in twelve beers from well-known brands. The values are well below the maximum permitted in the European Union for malting barley. For reasons of preventive consumer protection, ÖKO-TEST nevertheless assigns deductions. After all, all tested organic pils beers are free of the controversial herbicide.
In terms of original wort content and head retention, no Pils fails. The test drinkers also have little to complain about. In ten beers, however, the experts taste off-notes that are untypical for pilsners.
They attested to the bottom of the field, an organic pilsner, “a contamination taste with buttery notes”. The reason: the laboratory has detected contamination with pediococci. Although the lactic acid bacteria are not harmful to humans, they cause a significant reduction in quality, according to ÖKO-TEST. This is affected here Pinkus Pils (Bioland) from the brewery Brauerei Pinkus Müller and scored “unsatisfactory” (grade 6).
Even a pilsner from a discounter is not convincing and fails with the rating “poor” (grade 5): Das Kaiserkrone Pils Norma cannot convince the testers in terms of taste.