Dinkelacker CD-Pils 6Pk

Dinkelacker CD-Pils 6Pk is a German-brewed pilsner from Stuttgart at 4.9% ABV, sold as a six-pack of bottles. Scored 89 points by Tastings.com in 2017, this lager stands out among German pilsners for its distinctive use of prized Tettnanger hops and a malt-forward Stuttgart brewing character that separates it from drier northern German competitors.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.9%  |  Origin: Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany  |  Style: German Pilsner  |  Brewery: Dinkelacker-Schwaben Bräu GmbH & Co. KG

Production & Heritage

Carl Dinkelacker founded his namesake brewery on Stuttgart's Tübinger Straße in 1888. More than 135 years later, the brewery — now operating as Dinkelacker-Schwaben Bräu GmbH & Co. KG — continues to brew in the same city. CD-Pils is brewed in strict adherence to the Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law), using 100% local ingredients: selected barley malts, fresh Stuttgart brewing water, and notably, Tettnanger hops sourced from the Tettnang growing region near Lake Constance. While many German pilsners rely on Hallertau varieties, Dinkelacker's choice of Tettnanger hops gives CD-Pils a more floral, spicy hop signature alongside the slightly sweeter malt profile characteristic of Swabian brewing traditions.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A tart, fresh scent greets the nose first, followed by delicate floral hops, light straw, and a subtle grain sweetness. The Tettnanger hop character reads as gently spicy rather than aggressively bitter.

Taste: The entry is crisp with immediate pale malt sweetness and a touch of fresh grain. Mid-palate, floral and spicy hop bitterness builds without overwhelming the malt backbone. At its peak, the balance tips toward a pleasantly bitter finish that still carries enough malt body to distinguish it from leaner northern German pilsners.

Finish: Medium in length with a slightly dry close and lingering hop bitterness on the tongue. The floral hop notes persist cleanly, inviting another sip.

How to Drink CD-Pils

Serve well-chilled in a traditional pilsner flute or tall, narrow glass to showcase the pale straw color and maintain carbonation. CD-Pils is built for drinking on its own as a highly sessionable beer, but it also works in beer-based mixed drinks. A Radler pairs it with fresh lemonade for a lighter summer option. A Shandy using ginger ale highlights the floral hop spice. A Pilsner Michelada with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire leans into its crisp, bitter character for a savory twist.

Best For

• Hosting a summer cookout where you need a clean, crowd-friendly lager
• Introducing a craft beer drinker to authentic German-brewed pilsner
• Pairing with grilled sausages, pretzels, and other German fare at a themed dinner
• Keeping a reliable, sessionable pilsner stocked in the refrigerator for weeknight drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CD-Pils taste like? CD-Pils delivers a crisp pilsner profile with noticeable pale malt sweetness balanced by floral, spicy Tettnanger hop bitterness and a slightly dry finish. It leans more malt-forward than many northern German pilsners, reflecting the Swabian brewing tradition of Stuttgart.

How does CD-Pils compare to Bitburger? Bitburger is a drier, more hop-bitter pilsner typical of the Rhineland-Palatinate style, while CD-Pils carries more obvious malt sweetness alongside its floral hop character — a hallmark of Stuttgart-area brewing. Both are brewed under the Reinheitsgebot, but CD-Pils uses Tettnanger hops where Bitburger relies on a different hop blend for a crisper, leaner profile.

Is CD-Pils good for beginners? Yes — its balanced malt sweetness and moderate 4.9% ABV make it approachable for anyone new to German pilsners. The bitterness is present but restrained enough not to overwhelm an unaccustomed palate.

Where is CD-Pils made? CD-Pils is brewed by Dinkelacker-Schwaben Bräu in Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany. The brewery has operated in Stuttgart since its founding by Carl Dinkelacker in 1888.

What foods pair well with CD-Pils? Bratwurst and other grilled sausages mirror its malt character. Soft pretzels with mustard complement the hop bitterness. Grilled chicken or white fish work well with the beer's clean, crisp body. Mild semi-hard cheeses like young Gouda echo the subtle sweetness. Lightly dressed salads with vinaigrette match the beer's tart, refreshing quality.

What sizes does CD-Pils come in? This listing is a six-pack of bottles, which is the standard retail format for Dinkelacker CD-Pils in most markets.

Is CD-Pils worth the price? CD-Pils positions as an authentic imported German pilsner at a value-friendly tier — it competes with other German import six-packs rather than domestic macro lagers or premium craft singles. For a Reinheitsgebot-compliant beer brewed with Tettnanger hops and over 135 years of brewing heritage, it represents strong value in the imported pilsner segment.

Why CD-Pils?

Dinkelacker CD-Pils earns its place through specificity: Tettnanger hops rather than generic noble hop blends, Stuttgart brewing water rather than a mass-production facility, and a malt-hop balance rooted in Swabian tradition rather than conforming to the drier pilsner profile dominant in northern Germany. Its 89-point score from Tastings.com and a Bronze medal at the 2003 World Beer Championship in the Pilsner Lager category confirm that the quality translates beyond regional loyalty. At 4.9% ABV with genuine sessionability and German Purity Law compliance, this is a pilsner with verifiable provenance — not just a label claim. For drinkers seeking a German pilsner with real character and documented heritage, CD-Pils delivers where many imports simply blend in.