Stone Hammer Pilsner
F&M Brewery

Stone Hammer PilsnerStone Hammer Pilsner
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From:
F&M Brewery
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
German Pilsner
ABV:
5%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.64 | pDev: 9.89%
Reviews:
33
Ratings:
53
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 27, 2017
Added:
Oct 20, 2003
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  7
This beer was built to cleanse and refresh. A straw coloured golden beer with light white head on top. The light aroma brings grainy pilsner malts, fresh aromatic hops and nuances of dried fruit. On the palate it is crisp, lightly hopped beer with an unassuming ability to quench your thirst.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.56 by kjkinsey from Texas

Nov 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.24 by xactofork from Canada (ON)

Jul 08, 2017
Photo of MichaelGennings
Reviewed by MichaelGennings from Canada (ON)

4.42/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Stone Hammer Pilsner. 5% alc. 20 IBUs. Brewed in Guelph, Ontario, Canada by Stonehammer Brewing. Nice white head. Golden colour. Smell: Sweet bread. Grains. Body is light to medium. Finish is crisp. Really nice sweetness to this beer.
May 17, 2017
 
Rated: 3.19 by Rukeli76 from Canada (ON)

Apr 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.54 by Bf_89 from Canada (ON)

Apr 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.54 by RedAleMan from Canada (ON)

Apr 17, 2016
Photo of thehyperduck
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)

3.55/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
473 mL can picked up at the LCBO; best before July 2 2016 and served well-chilled.

Pours a bog-standard clear, pale golden-yellow hue, generating one centimetre of soapy white froth at the surface. It dissipates over the next couple of minutes, bequeathing a small amount of lace as it is reduced to a thin, foamy cap and collar. Yep, that's a pilsener alright, and the aroma only reinforces this notion - though the presence of some buttery diacetyl notes cause this pils to give off more of a Czech vibe than a German one. Hints of spicy, floral Saaz hops overlie a backbone of clean, grainy, bready pale barley malt sweetness.

This is a passable pilsener with a few forgiveable flaws. Clean pale barley malts provide a grainy, bready sweetness that comprises the bulk of the flavour profile, especially on the front end. The Saaz hops really shine through towards the finish, with a grassy, floral hop bitterness rounding it off appropriately. Hints of diacetyl are noticeable throughout the sip; again, this pils reminds me more of Czech fare (e.g. PU or Czechvar), as opposed to German brands (e.g. Bitburger or Jever). Light in body, with moderate carbonation levels that offer up the sort of firm, crisp bite that I'd expect from a pale lager. Drinks like a dream, but fails to excel in any other category.

Final Grade: 3.55, a B. For a brewery that has been around for at least 20 years, Stone Hammer/F&M really seems to fly under the radar. I can't even recall the last time I saw a new brand from them being sold in stores - and the brands that they do produce are mostly based on safe, relatively pedestrian beer styles. Their Pilsner is no exception. It's acceptable for what it is, but when compared to the imported "gold standards" of this style, it doesn't quite cut the mustard. I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it, but I also wouldn't recommend it with much enthusiasm.
Jan 04, 2016
 
Rated: 2.81 by JahTurbo from Canada (ON)

Oct 24, 2015
Photo of EricVonStein
Reviewed by EricVonStein from Canada (ON)

3.85/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
very pale crystal clear like light straw or dim morning light. Couple generous fingers of froths crisp white head that retains well.

Beautifully malty grains pour over the nose. The smell of light grains is so strong it feels as if you're in a grain mill with all that flour in the air. Wonderful bready notes, very malt forward but dry and almost musty. Hard to pick up any hop aroma, though a mild spicy aroma is faintly present in back.

Again, the Stone Hammer pours on the malts up front with multi grain and light rye bread grains. While I couldnt pull them out in the nose the Saaz hops move in and provide that nice slightly grassy and peppery bitterness. The finish is mildly bitter and a bit more wet than Id like, with some of the sweet maltiness lingering. Well carbonated and kind of mealy in the mouth, nice feel.

Overall this is a really nice pils with great malt character well balanced by the hops. There is a nice background peppery spiciness from the hops but Id love to see a little more crisp bitterness and dryness on the finish. In this heat you'd do well to drink these all afternoon to quench your thirst. Quite nice.
Sep 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.61 by Tyler_V2 from Canada (ON)

May 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.52 by FRANKIE65 from Canada (ON)

Apr 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.66 by Foley67 from Scotland

Apr 04, 2015
Photo of Pmicdee
Rated by Pmicdee from Canada (ON)

3.25/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I heard that this brewery was going out of business.
Feb 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by coffee84 from Canada (ON)

Jul 18, 2014
Photo of taxandbeerguy
Reviewed by taxandbeerguy from Canada (ON)

3.73/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
355 ml bottle purchased from LCBO for $2CDN out of the singles bin. Served cold into glassware.

Appearance - Crystal clear pale golden color. About a finger of frothy white head head with decent retention tie, leaving a soapy cap on top. Quite a few visible bubbles, but the deluge slows after an initial burst.

Smell - More of a fruity aroma than expected from a pilsner, but the usual mild grainy aromas, with a floral aspect as well. Nose is subdued but inviting.

Taste - Clean crisp biscuity flavor, mild bitterness and then a big grain bill in the aftertaste. Slight moments where the floral and fruity aspects shine through but they are blended in well with the grain flavor. A pretty good tasting pilsener. Some roasted characteristics are present as well.

Mouthfeel - Smooth and moderate carbonation with a medium-light body.

Overall - A pretty good and well above average pilsener with great grainy flavors. I could see myself picking up a six pack next time if the price is right.
Apr 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by hunterjames from Canada (ON)

Apr 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Rlombardi75 from Canada (ON)

Mar 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Brendan10 from Canada (ON)

Feb 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by MJ63 from Canada (ON)

Oct 26, 2013
 
Rated: 4.07 by ZachT from Canada (BC)

Oct 22, 2013
Stone Hammer Pilsner from F&M Brewery
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 53 ratings