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When I want a straight-down-the-middle beer, I inevitably reach for a pilsner. Yes, a regular lager will do, but pilsners are generally more compelling. The Czech Republic is the birthplace of the style - brought to us by Pilsner Urquell. That brand was not my favorite, but lots of others have really excelled.
This definitely pours like what I expect a pilsner to be. The head is very reasonable (possibly a bit stingy) and the golden beverage is clear as it can be. This is beer commercial good. Hell, this looks better than most beer commercials. For many beer commercials, the Rockies turning blue is about the best looking thing the beer has to offer (unless there are also twins). The aroma is that really nice scent of bread malt and wort that I inevitably associate with my great times visiting the Penn Brewery with my brother. I may already be inclined to like this beer.
First sip is very smooth, flavorful, and drinkable. In fact, the rush of beer makes me immediately think of this beer as particularly crushable, and that seems odd for a beer that is packaged as if it is a high-brow (possibly a bit stuffy) beer. I like it. If they lean into the crushability, they may get extra points for subverting their own label. I mean, they know what beer is for, right?
Tip-in is spices brushed against the top of some bread while carbonation gives a gentle sizzle. The middle moves the carbonation to the back of the throat and the quite nice mix of light spice, bread, and yeast flow freely down the throat. The finish is a dramatically different taste - solid and stoic; grains and grass join bread and spice before the trail off turns a little dry.
Bottom Line: Complex and pretty damn nice.
4.0/5
