Torch Pilsner
Foothills Brewing Company - Downtown Brewpub


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- From:
- Foothills Brewing Company - Downtown Brewpub
- North Carolina, United States
- Style:
- Bohemian / Czech Pilsner
Ranked #181 - ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #25,827 - Avg:
- 3.66 | pDev: 12.57%
- Reviews:
- 132
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 29, 2022
- Added:
- Jun 09, 2005
- Wants:
- 13
- Gots:
- 104
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good


Notes:
Torch Pilsner
A well structured, Czech-style pilsner. Torch is strong in alcohol with a rich, full finish. Good mouth feel and well-balanced Czech Saaz hops ensure that Torch is not your typical pilsner.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.3%
Color (SRM): 3.7
Bitterness (IBUs): 35
Torch Pilsner-bg
AVAILABILITY
Year-round
A well structured, Czech-style pilsner. Torch is strong in alcohol with a rich, full finish. Good mouth feel and well-balanced Czech Saaz hops ensure that Torch is not your typical pilsner.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.3%
Color (SRM): 3.7
Bitterness (IBUs): 35
Torch Pilsner-bg
AVAILABILITY
Year-round
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington
3.55/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.55/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
2022-05-28
12oz can served in a footed pilsner glass. Dated 081821. Received from @superspak in NBS BIF #15.
Pours slightly hazy golden with a fairly big foamy head. Medium to light carbonation. Smell is grassy bitterness and lemon juice, a little bit of a grain sweetness.
Taste is a bit of a change in direction. Soda water with some grain flavor. Grassiness is a light presence, strong bitterness in both the citrus zest direction and the wet, cut vegetation direction.
Mouthfeel is light and quite effervescent. Overall...it's not bad, but I'm not loving it.
May 29, 202212oz can served in a footed pilsner glass. Dated 081821. Received from @superspak in NBS BIF #15.
Pours slightly hazy golden with a fairly big foamy head. Medium to light carbonation. Smell is grassy bitterness and lemon juice, a little bit of a grain sweetness.
Taste is a bit of a change in direction. Soda water with some grain flavor. Grassiness is a light presence, strong bitterness in both the citrus zest direction and the wet, cut vegetation direction.
Mouthfeel is light and quite effervescent. Overall...it's not bad, but I'm not loving it.
Reviewed by superspak from North Carolina
4.1/5 rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.1/5 rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Dram and Draught Greensboro. Awesome pils. Crystal clear golden yellow color. Great head retention and spotty soapy lacing on the glass. Some streaming carbonation. Aromas and flavors of big cracker, toast, biscuit, pine, herbal, grass, cedar, pepper, light lemon/yeast earth. Moderate pine, cedar, pepper, herbal, grassy bitterness on the finish. Medium carbonation and light-med body. Crisp, clean, refreshing finish. Balanced bready malt and sticky/resin hops in the mouthfeel. Drying bitter finish with no astringency. Very clean lager flavors, not overly fruity. Spot on German style. I will buy it again.
Feb 15, 2022Reviewed by metter98 from New York
3.62/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.62/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: The beer is a little hazy yellow in color and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high white head that has good retention properties and hardly died down.
S: Light aromas of grassy hops are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell and has a light amount of bitterness along with hints of bready hops.
M: It feels medium-bodied and clean on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This pilsner is easy to drink and has pleasant, delicate aromas and flavors of floral hops.
Serving type: can
Aug 04, 2021S: Light aromas of grassy hops are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell and has a light amount of bitterness along with hints of bready hops.
M: It feels medium-bodied and clean on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This pilsner is easy to drink and has pleasant, delicate aromas and flavors of floral hops.
Serving type: can
Rated by LeePedals from Minnesota
4.18/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A very good example of this style, and one of my favorite beers in general. Perfectly balanced hops to grain and it is a very satisficing beer.
Jan 05, 2021Rated by rclangk from West Virginia
3.6/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
11/2020 BOM
Dec 18, 2020Reviewed by akaizer from Virginia
3.58/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From a bottle. Pour has a slightly below 1" white foam head with a clear, pale-golden yellow body. Scent comes across as classic pils, a bit malty, a bit yeasty, and a bit of zing. Taste is more on the zesty and earthy malt side with a lingering bitterness in the aftertaste. Overall refreshing but not exactly in my wheelhouse of preferences.
Dec 12, 2020Reviewed by Singlefinpin from North Carolina
4.02/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Porured from a can into a pint glass.
Appears golden yellow with a nice foamy head that lasted.
Smells lightly bready and floral.
Taste follows the nose with enough hoppiness to keep my interest, and slightly estery.
Mouth feel is medium for the style.
A very nice example of a American Bohemian Pilsner that I definitely plan on drinking again.
May 24, 2020Appears golden yellow with a nice foamy head that lasted.
Smells lightly bready and floral.
Taste follows the nose with enough hoppiness to keep my interest, and slightly estery.
Mouth feel is medium for the style.
A very nice example of a American Bohemian Pilsner that I definitely plan on drinking again.
Reviewed by vette2006c5r from Minnesota
3.48/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.48/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Torch pours a hazy golden color, with a small, but long lasting head. Dry aroma, but with some skunk notes. Flavor is more on the bitter side, noticeable hops, then a creamy finish. Good body and feel. Overall, it is a bit more on the bitter side for a pils, nice finish to the flavor, and very pretty beer.
Mar 22, 2020Reviewed by HardCider from Pennsylvania
3.8/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.8/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This beer poured a clear golden amber color with a large frothy white head that lasted throughout the drinking experience. There is also very nice lacing. The aroma is somewhat subtle, but basically fruity, malty, and a little yeasty. The taste is dry and bitter with slightly sweet malt flavor.
Feb 01, 2020Reviewed by WYeates from North Carolina
3.36/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.36/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Poured to a heavy head with a golden color. Hoppy taste was accompanied by a slight bitter biscuit taste throughout. This Pilsner was heavy on the hops and not quite as flavorful as I would like, the bitterness up front made the beer feel slightly off.
It's still a decent offering.
Oct 27, 2019It's still a decent offering.
Reviewed by hottenot from North Carolina
3.85/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
3.85/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Just like a real German Pils. Somewhat bitter from the hops.
But balanced by the grain bill. Malt of course. Barley.
And some real Czech hops too.
A satisfying take on a real Pils.
Jun 18, 2019But balanced by the grain bill. Malt of course. Barley.
And some real Czech hops too.
A satisfying take on a real Pils.
Reviewed by Buckeye55 from North Carolina
3.52/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Hazy golden pour with full head. Kinda bready aroma. Taste is bitter for a pilsner but not unpleasant. Light slightly watery mouthfeel and slightly bitter aftertaste. A good pilsner but not a great example.
Jun 07, 2019Reviewed by Purdom from Georgia
4.15/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.15/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Nice pills. Not quite a bohemian style. I prefer a smooth start with a bite on the back end but this one just has the bite up front. Still plenty refreshing though.
Feb 22, 2019Reviewed by Skywave from Oklahoma
4/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A solid 4. Has all the things I look for stylewise in a BoPils. Slightly darker and danker than a german pils. Saaz hops in full force. Great looking and tasting.
Aug 30, 2018Rated by kimlhurst from Ohio
3.64/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.64/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Clear gold color with lingering white collar. Lots of carbonation with some lacing. Typical beery aroma & taste. Slight bitter aftertaste.
Aug 16, 2018Reviewed by Mandpasbury from North Carolina
3.93/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap at a MiLB game here in Winston-Salem, NC. I usually go straight for the IPA, but tried a Pils tonight. Nice, clear light-amber color (as best as I can tell as I am color blind). Really nice, bready aroma. The taste was very crisp, clean and light, with a small bit of hops, excellent. Very light and easy to drink. Considering I am usually an IPA guy, I really enjoyed this take on a Pilsener. Will definitely pick up in a 6 next time out.
Aug 08, 2018Reviewed by keith40 from Massachusetts
3.77/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle undated from AC. Straw color and a malty nose. Tastes include malt and a hint of citrusy hops, probably lemon. A fairly strong finish for a Pilsner. Refreshing and smooth.
Aug 06, 2018Reviewed by GoatmanBrewsMD from Maryland
3.45/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.45/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Pour from 12 oz bottle.
L: Straw yellow, slightly darker than most pilsners I've seen. Slight haze, not crystal clear. Lots of bubbles, well carbonated it seems. Eggshell white head.
S: Saaz hops really shows through on the nose. Bready pilsner malt aroma.
T: Bready, malty, slight hop spice from the Saaz. Clean finish
F: Very carbonated medium body.
O: Decent for the style. Good summer beer/ after work beer.
Jul 26, 2018L: Straw yellow, slightly darker than most pilsners I've seen. Slight haze, not crystal clear. Lots of bubbles, well carbonated it seems. Eggshell white head.
S: Saaz hops really shows through on the nose. Bready pilsner malt aroma.
T: Bready, malty, slight hop spice from the Saaz. Clean finish
F: Very carbonated medium body.
O: Decent for the style. Good summer beer/ after work beer.
Reviewed by bubseymour from Maryland
4.53/5 rDev +23.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.53/5 rDev +23.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
A really nice pilsner, biscuit, bready, sweet and a crisp finish with a little lingering bitter. Really solid pilsner here and hits alot of the marks I generally look for in this style. Highly recommend.
Jul 22, 2018Reviewed by billnjo from Georgia
4.93/5 rDev +34.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.93/5 rDev +34.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This beer should be called a "Pils" vs a Pilsner because it reminds me of the crisper less malty taste of a German Pils. Having said that, they nailed it! Great thirst quenching crispy bitterness from the Saaz hops. The best Pils I've had this side of the Atlantic.
Apr 28, 2018
Torch Pilsner from Foothills Brewing Company - Downtown Brewpub
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
515 ratings
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