Many people think that because we are big beer geeks that we only like "big" beers. Au contraire mons frères! Just because most of the bad beer that's out there in the world (you know who you are) are Pilsner style lagers, doesn't mean that it’s the Pilsner's fault. Today, several craft breweries are making delightful light-bodied, nuanced Pilsner style lagers that are made with great ingredients and traditional methods!One of our favorites (and an amazing take on a Rolling Stones song) is a beer from Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons, Colorado called Mama’s Little Yella Pils. This beer is a bit of an amalgam of both German and Czech styles of Pilsner, using very traditional Czech Saaz hops as well as Bavarian hops from southern Germany. This beer also differentiates itself by using 100% pale malts, instead of the cheaper corn and rice that is found in a lot of other – ahem – lower quality beers.
This beer is deliciously refreshing, bright, crisp and dry with a completely clean finish. Perfect for a lunch with the girls or when you want to take your football Sunday to another level.
A point of interest is that Oskar Blues is a brewery that puts its beers in cans. But once again, don’t assume that a beer in a can isn’t a high quality craft beer. Today’s cans are much different than the cans of yore. They are now lined with a coating that keeps the beer from tasting metallic. Cans are also virtually unbreakable, are lighter to ship and keep the beer protected from light – which is what causes beers to be skunked (not age)!
Wanna try some other great Pilsner style beers? Try these Beer Chicks picks:
- Reality Czech - Moonlight Brewing Co
- Pikeland Pilsner – Sly Fox Brewing Co.
- Goose Pils – Goose Island Brewery
I have a six pack of this in the cellar at the moment, and plan to try it soon, although given my manifest disappointment with Noble Pils from Sam Adams, another blending of the German and Bohemian styles, I am not holding my breath - I guess though, 10 years in Bohemia gives me a different frame of reference.
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I'll be very interested in what you have to say about this beer after you taste it. Also, having spent so much time in Bohemia, what is your favorite American Pils?
ReplyDeleteLets not forget here that German pils a la Jever, Radeberger, or Flensburger are a different animal than Czech pilsners like Urquell, Kozel, and Budvar. The Germans will have a more assertive hop bitterness and both aromas and flavor. Have seen this one, but have not tried it yet, but I believe they are going for a German style pils with this beer, not a Czech pilnser.
ReplyDeleteThe Czech pilsners are softer, and with the you are going to get that touch of diacetal in the body. From what is described here, I'm getting pils not pilnser and you should judge accordingly.
FYI - Sly Fox call their Pilsner Pikeland Pils
ReplyDeletePils and Pilsner can be both be used, but as stated there is a difference between a German *PILS* and a Czech *PILSNER*. It is important enough to note for the simple fact there ARE differences here. Again, the German Pils will be more assertive in hop aroma, flavor, and bitterness. Try Urquell and then a Jever and you will understand.
ReplyDeleteI have to put in a word for Victory Prima Pils. It's got phenomenal balance with a luscious hop presence and nice carbonation to give it that crisp refreshing factor, and as a craft beer bartender I find it wins over macro drinkers by the dozens; for many of my now-regulars, it's their "gateway" craft brew.
ReplyDeleteI have to put in a word for Victory Prima Pils; as a bartender at a beer geek mecca I've converted many macro drinkers to craft beer with Prima. Its snazzy balance of malt and hop presence give it that crisp, oh-so-refreshing, I'l-take-another-one quality that makes it a perfect "gateway" beer for newbies. From the aggressive hop presence and knowing Victory I'd say it's a German pils style rather than a Czech pilsner.
ReplyDeleteMama's Little yela pils are good and great. It is very refreshing and tastes different from others.
ReplyDeleteA high-quality pilsner that is produced here in Australia using imported hops and malts is the Wicked Elf Pilsner. It is the Little Brewing Company's version of the orginal golden colour lager first brewed in 1842 in Pilsen, Bohemia.
ReplyDeleteWe are new to the brewery business and looking for resources.
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