A pilsner takes its name from the city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic. Until the 1840's, most Bohemian beers were top-fermented resulting in a dark & cloudy beer, while the taste & standards of quality often varied widely & in 1838 consumers dumped whole barrels to show their dissatisfaction. In 1839, the Pilsen city officials founded a brewery called Bürger Brauerei (Citizens' Brewery) brewing beer using new techniques, newly available paler malts, nearby Saaz hops & Pilsen's remarkably soft water. This produced a clear, golden beer which was regarded as an instant sensation.
A modern pilsner has a very light, pale to golden yellow color with distinct hop aroma & flavor. Czech pilsners tend toward a lighter flavor (Pilsner Urquell) while those in a German-style (Becks, Bitburger or Warsteiner) can be more bitter or even "earthy" in flavor; and finally the Dutch (Amstel or Heineken) & the Belgian pilsners (Jupiler or Stella Artois) have a slight sweet taste. (* = on tap)