Spruce Tip Pilsner
Rogue Ales

i have to confess, i had higher hopes for this and was a little let down. the spruce element is super light in here, which i guess makes conceptual sense in a lighter style like this, but i wanted a bolder brew, i wanted the pine to pop, and it really doesnt, its hard to even appreciate it until it warms up some, and at that point its a room temperature pils, which is to say somewhat depreciated at that point, so its a bit of a marriage of imperfect circumstances. the beer is a little hazy from the tap, average white head on it, less refined looking than anticipated and nothing on the menu suggested an unfiltered keller type. i smell some hops, a touch of the pine, and there seems to be some natural compatibility there. the malt is sturdy and european to me, and there are some minerals in the mix, but this seems a touch heavier than i want it to to be, and a little disjointed. the flavor agrees, an okay hoppy pils without much yeast character is really what it is at its core, the spruce is too light to make this interesting, and it drinks a little filling. not a bad beer, just not what i was hoping they would do with this. unexciting unfortunately, decent, but a missed opportunity i reckon...