Taproom Talk

It’s no secret that some German beers and I don’t get along. My rather negative review of the Hofbräu Original from Hofbräu München made me public enemy #1 to a good many German beer lovers. I’m here to proclaim, however, that I’ve imbibed a winner tonight and feel compelled to sing the praises of the Kulmbacher Brewery’s EKU Pilsner and thus regain my favor among the world’s elite beer lovers.

The EKU pours crisp with a nice white head and bubbly essence. It’s a light gold hue and well filtered, leaving it amazingly clear, like a mountain lake. The nose is well done with smooth malts and light hops– it’s an all Pilsner nose that imbues a smooth confidence that is both inviting and pleasantly refreshing.

The taste is equally smooth with hints of hops and sweet malts. One can only describe it as pure Pilsner Paradise. In fact, this is probably one of the smoothest Pilsners I’ve had in quite a long time. The bottle’s text uses the term “flawless balance”– how true, I couldn’t agree more, nor have said it better. The finish is excellent, leaving a slight carbonation tingling in the mouth that invites another sip.

This is a superbly smooth beer, perfect for a warm summers evening dining outside. Amazingly enough, when the average beer drinker thinks of a smooth, crisp beer and warm weather, they probably think of something like a Corona– it’s too bad they haven’t had the pleasure of drinking an EKU. The difference in taste is truly shocking.

I rarely imbibe pilsners for some odd reason, for when I do happen to have one, I’m usually impressed. Coupled with the fact that I happened to get my hands on a Pilsner from the Czech Republic, it should come as no surprise that I was thoroughly impressed with the Lev Lion Pale Double Bock from the Mestansky Pivovar Havlickuv Brewery.

This light gold colored intensely bubbly beer poured with a nice white head that revealed an inviting hop nose with a subtle maltiness. The taste was true to a smooth and crisp Pilsner and had a slight pepperiness to it that finished with a well done maltiness.

This is a great Pilsner style beer from a brewery that clearly knows a thing or two about producing highly drinkable beers. If you can get your hands on a Lev Lion Pale Double Bock, you’ll surely enjoy it!

Here are pictures.  Check back for a podcast from the event.

First it was the sweet Milk Stout followed by the Winter Warmer. But, can the Lancaster deliver on a third brew? You bet! The Gold Star Pilsner from The Lancaster Brewery is a knockout!

This darker than normal Pilsner pours with a juicy thick head, which emanates a pleasant but non-aggressive hoppy smell that begs to be imbibed. Its crisp orangy taste has a subtle bitterness to it that is wonderfully balanced with a dry finish.

As I’ve confided before, I usually don’t enjoy Pilsners; however, I am once again completely floored by this outstanding showing. Lancaster’s Gold Star wins the gold tonight and for the foreseeable future. Go team!

I’m not a Pilsner person- I rarely try them and when I do, I’m usually disappointed. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised by The Brooklyn Brewery’s Pilsner. This clear, golden beer, which had no presence of a head, had a subtle Pilsner taste that was enjoyably smooth. Its aftertaste was agreeable and I could pick up light hints of hops in the taste as well as a flower-like aroma. It was amazingly paired with Sausages and Sauerkraut, which made the experience all the more impressive.

This is one of those beers that’ll make you reconsider any negative positions you may have on Pilsners.