Josephs Brau PLZNR Czech-Style Lager
Trader Joe's Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

Pour is a brilliantly clear golden yellow. big white head. good retention
nose is grassy, floral noble hopes
Taste is a firm noble hop character, hint of bready cracker on the finish.

Pretty solid - especially for 6.49 / 6er.

 

 

 

honestly this isnt meant to stack up against the best examples of the style in the world, and frankly, i think it punches well above its weight. tons of flavor but also pretty crisp, nothing thin or metallic or cheap about it, the lager yeast is authentic enough for me even if kind of generic, thats better than invisible. the grain profile is simple, a touch fuller and sweeter than some, but its not out of place the hops leave a little bitterness but seem noble and appropriate in terms of varietal and dose. i guess a critic could say its a little estery, not as clean and crisp as the best of the, and they would be right, but its hard to be critical of a beer like this at this price, and for me, nice and frosty, it hit the mark beyond being cold and wet. its got some minerals to it that give it a european authenticity, and it has great carbonation washing it through, hoppy enough as well, and one of those beers you just feel inclined to slug down from the bottle, three swigs per unit. all things considered, this is a winner.

 

 

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a clear golden amber color with a one finger head of white colored foam. The head has a very modest level of retention, fading over time to leave almost no lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is strongest of a grainy smell mixed with some light caramel and bready smells along with these aromas comes a touch of herb and earth as well.
Taste – The taste begins with grainy and cracker malt taste with a little bit of the caramel that was detected in the nose. As the taste advances the graininess gets a bit stronger and is joined by a little bit of a earthy hop and a touch of hay, leaving one in the end with a rather crisp and clean taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel- The body of the brew is on the slightly lighter and thinner sided with a carbonation level that is high. For the crisp tastes of the brew the feel is great and makes for an easy drinker.
Overall – A rather refreshing and very easy drinking brew overall. Nothing outstanding, but a nice renditioning of a pilsner for sure.

 

 

 

 

Look: Clear, pale gold with rising carbonation bubbles. One finger of foamy white head with long retention.

Smell: Sweet malt, orange peel. Like a fermentation tank.

Taste: Bready malt with a very slight hop bitterness and a dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Smooth with very high carbonation.

Overall: A perfectly serviceable pilsner without anything standing out.