Collaboration No. 1 - Imperial Pilsner
Boulevard Brewing Co.

Collaboration No. 1 - Imperial PilsnerCollaboration No. 1 - Imperial Pilsner
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From:
Boulevard Brewing Co.
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
Imperial Pilsner
ABV:
8%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.11 | pDev: 8.52%
Reviews:
152
Ratings:
192
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 06, 2017
Added:
Jan 14, 2010
Wants:
  16
Gots:
  4
For this inaugural installment of collaboration brews, we invited distinguished Belgian brewer Jean-Marie Rock to join our own Steven Pauwels for a zymological alliance. The two conspired to revive a recipe from the very beginning of Rock’s career, the memory of which he has cherished for more than 30 years. A starkly simple recipe combined with a painstakingly complex brewing process produce an Imperial Pilsner of subtle elegance and delicately balanced contrasts. First wort hopping, a very old technique in which hops normally added late in the boil are put in at the beginning, and allowed to steep for a much longer time, gives the beer an especially refined hop aroma and flavor. The 100% Pilsner malt makes a clear, yet restrained statement, answered by a stead, harmonious chorus of Saaz hop bitterness, echoes of which linger in the dry, crisp finish.

29 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by russpowell:
Photo of russpowell
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas

4.31/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Batch #1 BBD 9/10
Scored this at Macadoodles in Joplin last week, there weren't many bottles left from what I could see...

Pours an effervescent straw color with 4+ fingers of ivory colored head into my Paulaner Pils glass ( they recommend a a tulip, but this is an imp pils so I'll try it this way first, so maintain my baseline for the style. Stellar head retention & good lacing

S: Grassy & orchard fruitty, but a touch restrained IMO, almost pulled a 4.0

T: Apples, pears, lemony & grassy hops up front, plus serious breadyness & a touch of booze. Dryness, pears & lemony hops dominate as this warms along with more breadyness & grassy hops, along with a hint of honey & grapefruit. Finishes very crisp all things considered, although honey malt & breadyness make a great showing too, along with some herbal notes as well

MF: Fairly delicate for the ABV, slight carbonation, starts to get a bit chewier once warm, but maintains crispness on the finish, great balance

Drinks fairly very for the "style" & ABV, nice collaboration, gutsy call all in all, this is a beer where flaws would scream at you, I see none. Not sure how this will hold up over time, drinking fine now. If this was half the price I could drink this near year round, a nice indulgence, in my mind this is what more more pils need to taste like; forget the double or single labels.... Would love to try this on tap...
Mar 04, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.5 by Jodio from Texas

Feb 06, 2017
 
Rated: 4.24 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by Texasfan549 from Texas

Nov 06, 2014
 
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Nov 06, 2014
 
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Oct 20, 2014
 
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Jul 24, 2014
 
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May 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by afsdan from Colorado

Apr 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bismarksays from Iowa

Mar 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by mattmarka1 from Minnesota

Jan 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by jaydoc from Kansas

Oct 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by GRG1313 from California

Sep 08, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by ryanpj from Illinois

Jul 25, 2013
Photo of vette2006c5r
Reviewed by vette2006c5r from Minnesota

3.7/5  rDev -10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Batch #1, 2009. So this is a vintage.
Collaboration one pours a hazy golden color with a nice large long lasting head. The aroma is malty, sweet, crisp, with nice hints of yeasty and lemons. The taste has a nice crisp malty backbone, with nice hints of lemon, and a nice vanilla undertone. There are also a crisp grass like flavor, with a finish that has hints of a yeasty like flavor. Feels very nice, very nicely carbonated. Overall what a nice complex full flavored Pils, would have loved to tried a fresh one, but very surprised on how it aged.
Jul 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by pascilla from Nebraska

Jun 25, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by csfcmitchell from Texas

Jun 21, 2013
Collaboration No. 1 - Imperial Pilsner from Boulevard Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 192 ratings