Paddle Battle
Nickel Brook Brewing Co. - Burlington

Nickel Brook Brewing Co. is one of the stand out breweries in the region and they have recently added Paddle Battle to their exceptional roster of elite beers. The idea of Nickel Brook coming out with a pilsner was enough to peak my curiosity, but adding that bit of west coast flavor to it made this a must try as soon as it came out. In true Nickel Brook fashion this beer delivers on every level. It is the perfect marriage of a crisp, clean pilsner with the citrusy and piney notes of a west coast ipa. Seeing as how they brew one of my favorite west coast ipa's in Headstock, it is no shock that Paddle Battle is a winner and will have a regular spot in my rotation moving forward. Another great beer from a brewery that just knows how to brew damn good beer.

From a 473ml can packaged on 19 Jan 2026. Poured into a pint glass. A solid one finger white head on a hazy pale gold. The head diminishes to a persistent layer. Sheets of fine lacing.

Pine hops in the nose. Pine hops dominate the first sip. Some malts up front but hops dominate. A slightly bitter hop finish.

A medium body and carbonation. Overall more of an IPA than a German Pilsner.

 

473 mL can from the LCBO; dated Mar 25 2026 and served slightly chilled.

Pours a golden-blonde colour; its complexion is mostly clear, though there is some very fine sediment hovering throughout its body. Just over an inch of foamy white head lasts for 3-4 minutes, leaving behind a narrow band of lace in addition to a frothy collar and cap. Smells more like a pale ale than a pilsner - a bit piney & floral, with hints of grapefruit and grainy, crackery pale malts.

A well-balanced brew, as the base pilsner malt flavours are not overtaken by the American hops. Citrusy hints of grapefruit and orange peel combine with grainy, bready pale malts, with a pithy, slightly piney bitterness developing late in the sip. Lightly resiny finish, trending dry. Light in body, with average carbonation that adds a little bit of a bite to this brew's smooth mouthfeel. Crisp and very easy-drinking.

Final Grade: 3.85, a B+. Paddle Battle is likely one of the better West Coast Pilsners I've had in the last couple of years, but I still believe that this 'style' will turn out to be a passing fad. If I want a pilsner, I will always buy an actual pilsner over something like this - and if I'm in the mood for American hops, an APA or IPA will do just fine, thank you. West Coast Pilsners inhabit that same weird grey area as India Pale Lagers and Brut IPAs: 'novel hybrids' that seemed poised to take the craft beer world by storm, only to fall off the map completely a few years later. Anyhow, sorry for the digression - if you're just looking for a hopped lager, then this is a pretty good one from Nickel Brook.

I bought 2 cans at the LCBO in Ontario Canada at 473ml a west coast style Pilsener at 5% poured into glass with a one finger head leaving a lace as you drink it.
Very zesty Lemon lime flavor with a medium to high bitterness level.
Very enjoyable to drink great looking beer.
Cheers

At my lady Pamela's house; canned and chilled, 473mL in a pint glass. From The Roundhouse Centre LCBO on Howard Ave. in nearby Windsor. Canned January 19/26. My 18th beer from the Burlington, Ontario brewery, and 5th for 2026. Adored by Sundae the cat...

473ml can served cold into a pint glass. LCBO purchase. Canned January 20, 2026. Listed as a West Coast style pilsner.

Appearance - Clear beer, golden in color with two fingers of white head on top. Good staying power.

Smell - Grainy with a healthy dose of weedy hops. Intense aromatics.

Taste - Glean grainy bits, some bread, lots of leafy hops. Good amount of bitterness, and clean and refreshing.

Mouthfeel - Crisp, medium-light in carbonation and body. Easy to drink, but a few extra bubbles would probably help here.

Overall - A good rendition of the classic pilsner, amped up for West Coast insipration.