Danish Dream | Mikkeller ApS
Brewed by:
Mikkeller ApS
Denmark | website
Style: Czech Pilsener
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.60%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Brewed at De Proef Brouwerij, Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium.
Added by jgasparine on 01-06-2010
Reviews: 81 | Ratings: 216
3.55/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
From the 16 oz. can. It had a best by date of 20/05/17. Sampled on June 27, 2016.
The pour is yellow under a big, frothy white head that lasts.
The aroma has a kind of peach fruit note that overtakes any toasted bread and biscuit or grassy characters one expects from a Pilsener.
Medium to big body.
Same sort of peach juice character in the flavor although not quite as forward as the aroma. Some toastiness too and a clean finish.
★ 440 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
From the 16 oz. can. It had a best by date of 20/05/17. Sampled on June 27, 2016.
The pour is yellow under a big, frothy white head that lasts.
The aroma has a kind of peach fruit note that overtakes any toasted bread and biscuit or grassy characters one expects from a Pilsener.
Medium to big body.
Same sort of peach juice character in the flavor although not quite as forward as the aroma. Some toastiness too and a clean finish.
★ 440 characters
3.91/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
American Dream? Danish Dream? Both? Alright. 330 ml bottle poured into a tulip glass. Looks like an IPA, a hazy orange amber color with four fingers of particularly frothy, sudsy off-white bubbles. The head leaves some sparse spider silk lacing down the sides of the glass.
Nose recalls grapefruit, orange, and pineapple. Decent hop potency but lacking the strong resins you'd expect in an IPA. Its a lighter fruitiness. On the palate, one gets the same mellow citrus and tropical fruits, very smooth, full-bodied, and rather creamy. A spike of nectarine, plum, unripe pineapple, orange, and oregano, but with a buttery malt backbone that does indeed recall a pilsener: More cracker, popcorn, and white bread than caramel. Quite fizzy. Tannic aftertaste, with lingering orange spice tea, pine, rubber, and root cellar notes.
Apparently this is a European take on an "India Pale Lager". Great mouthfeel attributes and hop flavor. The bitterness in the finish is oddly "chemical" in character but this does not kibosh the entire package.
★ 1,037 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
American Dream? Danish Dream? Both? Alright. 330 ml bottle poured into a tulip glass. Looks like an IPA, a hazy orange amber color with four fingers of particularly frothy, sudsy off-white bubbles. The head leaves some sparse spider silk lacing down the sides of the glass.
Nose recalls grapefruit, orange, and pineapple. Decent hop potency but lacking the strong resins you'd expect in an IPA. Its a lighter fruitiness. On the palate, one gets the same mellow citrus and tropical fruits, very smooth, full-bodied, and rather creamy. A spike of nectarine, plum, unripe pineapple, orange, and oregano, but with a buttery malt backbone that does indeed recall a pilsener: More cracker, popcorn, and white bread than caramel. Quite fizzy. Tannic aftertaste, with lingering orange spice tea, pine, rubber, and root cellar notes.
Apparently this is a European take on an "India Pale Lager". Great mouthfeel attributes and hop flavor. The bitterness in the finish is oddly "chemical" in character but this does not kibosh the entire package.
★ 1,037 characters
4.25/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Been sitting on this one for a while. Drank it straight out of the bottle but pour a little for color which was Amber. Not much carbonation after the initial opening of the bottle. Doesn't really taste like a typical Pilsner in bitterness. Tasted more like an ipa with some yeast bready brown ale flavor.
★ 308 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Been sitting on this one for a while. Drank it straight out of the bottle but pour a little for color which was Amber. Not much carbonation after the initial opening of the bottle. Doesn't really taste like a typical Pilsner in bitterness. Tasted more like an ipa with some yeast bready brown ale flavor.
★ 308 characters
4/5 rDev +1.3%
A: Golden with a copper tinge, good fine carbonation, 3 fingers of off white head.
S: Pineapple, citrus, candied orange, spicy like papaya seeds.
T: Not sweet as on the nose, but fruity and dry. Citrus, pineapple, tropical fruits, some oregano oil.
M: Medium light body, fine bubbled body, dry finish.
O: More American west coast than expected. Dry on the finish, more of an APA than a pilsner in my opinion. Bought in Chiang Mai, drank Nov 24, 2014.
★ 461 characters
A: Golden with a copper tinge, good fine carbonation, 3 fingers of off white head.
S: Pineapple, citrus, candied orange, spicy like papaya seeds.
T: Not sweet as on the nose, but fruity and dry. Citrus, pineapple, tropical fruits, some oregano oil.
M: Medium light body, fine bubbled body, dry finish.
O: More American west coast than expected. Dry on the finish, more of an APA than a pilsner in my opinion. Bought in Chiang Mai, drank Nov 24, 2014.
★ 461 characters
4.29/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
The colour is gold with a tint of orange; the liquid is clear. The three finger head is off-white and airy. It sinks slowly leaving lots of lacing on the glass.
The smell is powerful hand hoppy: Citric peel, grapefruit juice, black currants, rubber, fruit candy and a hint of diesel smoke. Mild clean sweetness with a touch of butter.
The taste is bitter with notes of rubber, red currants, olive oil, green plums and citric fruits. Hints of dry white wine and spices. Medium body. The aftertaste is smoother with citric peels, floral notes, French loaf, bitter herbs and sour fruit drops. The long finish is clean and bitter.
The carbonation is fresh, the small bubbles long-lasting. The liquid is mid-smooth. No harshness.
A solid American craft-style lager!
★ 767 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
The colour is gold with a tint of orange; the liquid is clear. The three finger head is off-white and airy. It sinks slowly leaving lots of lacing on the glass.
The smell is powerful hand hoppy: Citric peel, grapefruit juice, black currants, rubber, fruit candy and a hint of diesel smoke. Mild clean sweetness with a touch of butter.
The taste is bitter with notes of rubber, red currants, olive oil, green plums and citric fruits. Hints of dry white wine and spices. Medium body. The aftertaste is smoother with citric peels, floral notes, French loaf, bitter herbs and sour fruit drops. The long finish is clean and bitter.
The carbonation is fresh, the small bubbles long-lasting. The liquid is mid-smooth. No harshness.
A solid American craft-style lager!
★ 767 characters
3/5 rDev -24.1%
Bought this bottle at 'Meny' in Trondheim, Norway - I dont think the bottle was kept too well and this may very well have influenced the beer.
A - Golden amber, great 1.5 finger head with nice retention.
S - Citrus hops and caramel malts, I also detect some off flavors: green apples - acetaldehyde? maybe even some very slight diacetyl
T - Like it smells. The flavors are fairly stable and even all the way through, with a firm bitterness. Some acetaldehyde off flavors I think.
M - medium low carbonation, smooth and creamy for the abv.
O - A lager apa? This would be a nice beer if not for the off flavors, for now I'm not sure what the lager part brings to the table - the only yeast driven flavors I get are off-flavored.
★ 732 characters
Bought this bottle at 'Meny' in Trondheim, Norway - I dont think the bottle was kept too well and this may very well have influenced the beer.
A - Golden amber, great 1.5 finger head with nice retention.
S - Citrus hops and caramel malts, I also detect some off flavors: green apples - acetaldehyde? maybe even some very slight diacetyl
T - Like it smells. The flavors are fairly stable and even all the way through, with a firm bitterness. Some acetaldehyde off flavors I think.
M - medium low carbonation, smooth and creamy for the abv.
O - A lager apa? This would be a nice beer if not for the off flavors, for now I'm not sure what the lager part brings to the table - the only yeast driven flavors I get are off-flavored.
★ 732 characters
3.99/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: It has a nice hazy deep golden/orange color to it. It has a nice off-white head that dies down moderately and leaves great lacing.
Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of pine resins, citrus, some grassiness, floral hops and some grainy/toasty malts.
Taste: Like the aromas, it has some bitter pine resins, a nice grassiness, some citrus, slight floral notes, grainy/toasty malts and a touch of caramel.
Mouthfeel: It has a low carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.
Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied by good flavors and aromas.
★ 591 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: It has a nice hazy deep golden/orange color to it. It has a nice off-white head that dies down moderately and leaves great lacing.
Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of pine resins, citrus, some grassiness, floral hops and some grainy/toasty malts.
Taste: Like the aromas, it has some bitter pine resins, a nice grassiness, some citrus, slight floral notes, grainy/toasty malts and a touch of caramel.
Mouthfeel: It has a low carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.
Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied by good flavors and aromas.
★ 591 characters
4.11/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A lager that really wants and tries to be an American pale ale. Apparently it goes by the name The Danish Dream in the US, due to market legal reasons.
The aroma is dominated by a blast of hops. The taste as well, plus some extra heavy (almost stale) bitterness. This "crypto-APA" was among the strangest thing I have ever drunk.
Do not understand the idea of a bottom-fermented APA, but it’s also something that I like about this kind of cocky beer.
★ 461 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A lager that really wants and tries to be an American pale ale. Apparently it goes by the name The Danish Dream in the US, due to market legal reasons.
The aroma is dominated by a blast of hops. The taste as well, plus some extra heavy (almost stale) bitterness. This "crypto-APA" was among the strangest thing I have ever drunk.
Do not understand the idea of a bottom-fermented APA, but it’s also something that I like about this kind of cocky beer.
★ 461 characters
3.79/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Served on tap at Mikkeller Bangkok.
Dark yellow-brown and barely translucent. Plenty of pleasant Hoppiness on the nose. Fruit, mostly, with a whiff of bitter resin. The taste isn't obviously lagery, but the malt base is certainly there. Smooth, crisp, and surprisingly bitter. It's accessible, drinkable, and enjoyable. Not a lot to criticisize other than my inevitable quibble with the malt base.
★ 399 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Served on tap at Mikkeller Bangkok.
Dark yellow-brown and barely translucent. Plenty of pleasant Hoppiness on the nose. Fruit, mostly, with a whiff of bitter resin. The taste isn't obviously lagery, but the malt base is certainly there. Smooth, crisp, and surprisingly bitter. It's accessible, drinkable, and enjoyable. Not a lot to criticisize other than my inevitable quibble with the malt base.
★ 399 characters
3.98/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (33 cl.) purchased from Bières & Chopes, and tasted in 2014.
Appearance : amber golden color, with white foamy head.
Smell : malty and hoppy aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : malty caramel and hop flavors, leading to a bitter finish.
Overall : a good beer in the style Pilsener.
★ 286 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (33 cl.) purchased from Bières & Chopes, and tasted in 2014.
Appearance : amber golden color, with white foamy head.
Smell : malty and hoppy aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : malty caramel and hop flavors, leading to a bitter finish.
Overall : a good beer in the style Pilsener.
★ 286 characters
3.81/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Labeled as "The American Dream", but it seems to be this one here. Best before 12/9/2014.
Hazy amber, one finger foam with good retention.
Smells incredible! Honey and caramel, butterscotch, faint vanilla bean, huge green hops, with pine, orchard fruit, some tropical notes and grapefruit.
Some dry grainy malts, stampeded by green notes and fruit. Lots of tasty citrus (tangerine, pomelo, lime, plus peel), tropical passion fruit, pineapple, lychee. Some floral notes too, then aggressively "green" bitter hops: pine resin, green grass, very mineral. Gets a dry tobacco/faintly metallic pilsner-like bitterness afterwards, especially in the aftertaste.
Medium carbonation, creamier than your average Czech pilsener. Bitterness stay with you for a very long time. Fruitiness gets harder and harder to detect, taking the crispness away too.
Very tasty, a big (maybe too big) plate of tasty bitter hops. Haven't had enough of Mikkellers yet, but i hope his brews don't rely solely on hops, risking to be too similar. I expect a bit more than that from such expensive beers.
★ 1,071 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Labeled as "The American Dream", but it seems to be this one here. Best before 12/9/2014.
Hazy amber, one finger foam with good retention.
Smells incredible! Honey and caramel, butterscotch, faint vanilla bean, huge green hops, with pine, orchard fruit, some tropical notes and grapefruit.
Some dry grainy malts, stampeded by green notes and fruit. Lots of tasty citrus (tangerine, pomelo, lime, plus peel), tropical passion fruit, pineapple, lychee. Some floral notes too, then aggressively "green" bitter hops: pine resin, green grass, very mineral. Gets a dry tobacco/faintly metallic pilsner-like bitterness afterwards, especially in the aftertaste.
Medium carbonation, creamier than your average Czech pilsener. Bitterness stay with you for a very long time. Fruitiness gets harder and harder to detect, taking the crispness away too.
Very tasty, a big (maybe too big) plate of tasty bitter hops. Haven't had enough of Mikkellers yet, but i hope his brews don't rely solely on hops, risking to be too similar. I expect a bit more than that from such expensive beers.
★ 1,071 characters
3.98/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
330ml bottle bought from Lighthouse Wines, Jordanstown
Poured a slightly hazy golden honey colour. Slightly off white head poured big, thick and foamy with a whipped meringue like top then faded slowly to a good one finger covering which lasted throughout... lots of sticky lacing patches coat the glass all the way down...
Aroma - Spicy tart fruits (oranges (peel?), pears), lots of floral honey, sea saltiness, chalky notes, some soapiness, peppery and grassy hop bitterness, very herbal - some hints of basil, some tobacco notes, cut wet grass, some buttery traces, slightly rubbery, some graininess...
Taste - Lots of grassy and peppery hop bitterness up front followed by lots of herbal notes, light biscuity malts, again some floral honey sweetness, quite nutty, marzipan traces, juicy fruits (bitter oranges, pears, apples, grapefruit), a hint of saline, some alcohol warmth just coming through, faint tobacco...
Feel - Pretty smooth and creamy with a little bite... medium bodied... very drinkable at only 4.6%
Overall - A superb brew and one that i wish i could get my hands on more easily... highly recommended..
★ 1,127 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
330ml bottle bought from Lighthouse Wines, Jordanstown
Poured a slightly hazy golden honey colour. Slightly off white head poured big, thick and foamy with a whipped meringue like top then faded slowly to a good one finger covering which lasted throughout... lots of sticky lacing patches coat the glass all the way down...
Aroma - Spicy tart fruits (oranges (peel?), pears), lots of floral honey, sea saltiness, chalky notes, some soapiness, peppery and grassy hop bitterness, very herbal - some hints of basil, some tobacco notes, cut wet grass, some buttery traces, slightly rubbery, some graininess...
Taste - Lots of grassy and peppery hop bitterness up front followed by lots of herbal notes, light biscuity malts, again some floral honey sweetness, quite nutty, marzipan traces, juicy fruits (bitter oranges, pears, apples, grapefruit), a hint of saline, some alcohol warmth just coming through, faint tobacco...
Feel - Pretty smooth and creamy with a little bite... medium bodied... very drinkable at only 4.6%
Overall - A superb brew and one that i wish i could get my hands on more easily... highly recommended..
★ 1,127 characters
4.76/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
330 mL bottle poured into beer vase.
A: Fairly clear pale gold, big white head that lingers and leaves excellent lacing. Beautiful beer.
S: Pine hops, citrus and a bit of funk.
T: Sweet light malts, pine hops followed by citrus and slightly bitter hop aftertaste. Sweetness lingers on lips.
M: Fantastic - medium light body, medium carb, feels full for a pils.
O: Wow. As someone who likes heavy beers like imperial stouts and double ipas, this blew me away. I never knew a pils could have this much flavor - the perfect amount of hops to balance the sweetness, but still lighter than a pale ale. Yum! I will definitely be trying to find a case of this...
★ 660 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
330 mL bottle poured into beer vase.
A: Fairly clear pale gold, big white head that lingers and leaves excellent lacing. Beautiful beer.
S: Pine hops, citrus and a bit of funk.
T: Sweet light malts, pine hops followed by citrus and slightly bitter hop aftertaste. Sweetness lingers on lips.
M: Fantastic - medium light body, medium carb, feels full for a pils.
O: Wow. As someone who likes heavy beers like imperial stouts and double ipas, this blew me away. I never knew a pils could have this much flavor - the perfect amount of hops to balance the sweetness, but still lighter than a pale ale. Yum! I will definitely be trying to find a case of this...
★ 660 characters
4/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle from LCBO picked up for $3.35 CDN. Alcohol content scratched out and separate label indicating 5.5% on this bottle. Served cold into a pint glass. Marked as "The Canadian Dream."
Appearance - Slightly hazy, golden orange / copper color with 2 fingers of frothy head. The head left nice streaky lacing all of the glass and lingered for more than a few minutes. Semi transparent once settled.
Smell - Big hop nose especially for a pilsener with pine notes, wood bark among other things. Also the grassy and grainy smell usually accompanying the style although these take a back seat to the aforementioned aromas.
Taste - Hops, piney and citrusy. Good bitter aftertaste. Evolves into more an earthy character but not at all displeasing. Sweetness lingers when you lick you lips. Yum.
Mouthfeel - Smooth and crisp, refreshing and the astringency is palate scrubbing. Medium bodied and moderate carbonation. Slightly dry finish.
Overall - Really nice beer that while retaining pilsener character also offers a crossover point with hopheads since the hops are quite prevalent here. A delicious beer that I would repurchase, but only once in a while given that even better beers (albeit in different styles) can be purchased for less.
★ 1,246 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle from LCBO picked up for $3.35 CDN. Alcohol content scratched out and separate label indicating 5.5% on this bottle. Served cold into a pint glass. Marked as "The Canadian Dream."
Appearance - Slightly hazy, golden orange / copper color with 2 fingers of frothy head. The head left nice streaky lacing all of the glass and lingered for more than a few minutes. Semi transparent once settled.
Smell - Big hop nose especially for a pilsener with pine notes, wood bark among other things. Also the grassy and grainy smell usually accompanying the style although these take a back seat to the aforementioned aromas.
Taste - Hops, piney and citrusy. Good bitter aftertaste. Evolves into more an earthy character but not at all displeasing. Sweetness lingers when you lick you lips. Yum.
Mouthfeel - Smooth and crisp, refreshing and the astringency is palate scrubbing. Medium bodied and moderate carbonation. Slightly dry finish.
Overall - Really nice beer that while retaining pilsener character also offers a crossover point with hopheads since the hops are quite prevalent here. A delicious beer that I would repurchase, but only once in a while given that even better beers (albeit in different styles) can be purchased for less.
★ 1,246 characters
4.26/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look: Pours with off-white thumb high foam, random bubbles, fast retention. Stays coated, leaves lots of random lacing. Color is golden orange, slightly hazy. Lots of carbonation. Pretty.
Smell: Hits you with tropical (passion fruit, melon, mango), citrus, grapefruit/pine hops. Some sweetness from the malt to compliment the strong tropical vibe - fresh candy, do want.
Taste: Pine gets stronger, still topical fruit, cut grass; then goes to light sweet biscuit malt middle - this sweetness goes really well with the fruity flavours from hop. Ends with quite heavy for this style, but lovely piney/grapefruit bitterness with some sweetness. Very IPA-ish.
Mouthfeel: Crisp, refreshing carbonation, medium body. Leaves a dry finish.
Overall: Goes down easy but still feels like a proper hop packed beer. Very well executed and interesting take on lager, i hope to see more like this in the future.
★ 901 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look: Pours with off-white thumb high foam, random bubbles, fast retention. Stays coated, leaves lots of random lacing. Color is golden orange, slightly hazy. Lots of carbonation. Pretty.
Smell: Hits you with tropical (passion fruit, melon, mango), citrus, grapefruit/pine hops. Some sweetness from the malt to compliment the strong tropical vibe - fresh candy, do want.
Taste: Pine gets stronger, still topical fruit, cut grass; then goes to light sweet biscuit malt middle - this sweetness goes really well with the fruity flavours from hop. Ends with quite heavy for this style, but lovely piney/grapefruit bitterness with some sweetness. Very IPA-ish.
Mouthfeel: Crisp, refreshing carbonation, medium body. Leaves a dry finish.
Overall: Goes down easy but still feels like a proper hop packed beer. Very well executed and interesting take on lager, i hope to see more like this in the future.
★ 901 characters
4.29/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours bright orange, a little darker than your average Pilsner. The head recedes quickly but provides foamy cover for the whole glass. The aroma is hop forward with herbal, floral continental hops mixing with a citrusy edge and sturdy biscuity malts. Juicy, herbal, grassy, citric hop flavors show in the first sip. Balancing malt sweetness is right on their heels, providing excellent balance. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a full, creamy carbonation level. Moderate bitterness and floral, woody hop flavors make up the longish finish.
This is a kick ass Pilsner. It has a unique hop profile with more emphasis on citrus than the average Pilsner. Very complex and quaffable, near perfect balance. A must try.
★ 716 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours bright orange, a little darker than your average Pilsner. The head recedes quickly but provides foamy cover for the whole glass. The aroma is hop forward with herbal, floral continental hops mixing with a citrusy edge and sturdy biscuity malts. Juicy, herbal, grassy, citric hop flavors show in the first sip. Balancing malt sweetness is right on their heels, providing excellent balance. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a full, creamy carbonation level. Moderate bitterness and floral, woody hop flavors make up the longish finish.
This is a kick ass Pilsner. It has a unique hop profile with more emphasis on citrus than the average Pilsner. Very complex and quaffable, near perfect balance. A must try.
★ 716 characters
3.81/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
mikkeller can really do no wrong, finally found one I haven't had ( I know, there are millions, but I am always in search of). this one is going by "dream pils" now. pours a darker than expected almost copper shade of gold, with an inch of thick white head. it smells almost funky, like mikkellers usual Belgian yeast groove, as well as lighter pilsener malts. the flavor doesn't have any of that yeast to it though, and is quite balanced between the hearty grain bill (for the style) and the hops, which are bitter and prickly. carbonation is great, body is bigger than the standard, and the finish is long and grassy. this isn't one of mikkellers way out there beers, but more of a regular drinker that's very well made. I wish it was in affordable sixers, but I say that about must stuff mikkeller makes. when will that be a reality?
★ 836 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
mikkeller can really do no wrong, finally found one I haven't had ( I know, there are millions, but I am always in search of). this one is going by "dream pils" now. pours a darker than expected almost copper shade of gold, with an inch of thick white head. it smells almost funky, like mikkellers usual Belgian yeast groove, as well as lighter pilsener malts. the flavor doesn't have any of that yeast to it though, and is quite balanced between the hearty grain bill (for the style) and the hops, which are bitter and prickly. carbonation is great, body is bigger than the standard, and the finish is long and grassy. this isn't one of mikkellers way out there beers, but more of a regular drinker that's very well made. I wish it was in affordable sixers, but I say that about must stuff mikkeller makes. when will that be a reality?
★ 836 characters
4.18/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Coming in a slim 330ml brown bottle, BB 30/04/2015, served chilled in a straight pilsner glass.
A: dark golden in colour with light haze, coming with a well-lasting layer of off-white froth and lively carbonation.
S: the aroma comes overwhelmingly hoppy, full of tropical fruits (guava, passion fruits, mango, etc.), aromatic grassiness, an assertive edge of sweet lemons, plus lactic sour-sweetness and gristy/biscuity pale malts.
T: effervescent, the foretaste is resinous and lovely tropical fruity (I wonder if Citra is used in this brew), highlighting zesty citrusness with a tannic tang on top of a mild malty backbone; soon turning clean/neat on the palate allowing plentiful hop bitterness to roam freely towards the finish… In many ways this beer is unlike any lager bier I’ve had, and really, with this level of flavours, there’s no need to remind oneself of what kinds of yeasts were used in the brewing process.
M&O: refreshing, medium bodied, the flavour profile is rich and colourful, accentuating hops of course. A well-crafted, high-octave hoppy session lager ideal for any occasion, in my opinion.
★ 1,122 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Coming in a slim 330ml brown bottle, BB 30/04/2015, served chilled in a straight pilsner glass.
A: dark golden in colour with light haze, coming with a well-lasting layer of off-white froth and lively carbonation.
S: the aroma comes overwhelmingly hoppy, full of tropical fruits (guava, passion fruits, mango, etc.), aromatic grassiness, an assertive edge of sweet lemons, plus lactic sour-sweetness and gristy/biscuity pale malts.
T: effervescent, the foretaste is resinous and lovely tropical fruity (I wonder if Citra is used in this brew), highlighting zesty citrusness with a tannic tang on top of a mild malty backbone; soon turning clean/neat on the palate allowing plentiful hop bitterness to roam freely towards the finish… In many ways this beer is unlike any lager bier I’ve had, and really, with this level of flavours, there’s no need to remind oneself of what kinds of yeasts were used in the brewing process.
M&O: refreshing, medium bodied, the flavour profile is rich and colourful, accentuating hops of course. A well-crafted, high-octave hoppy session lager ideal for any occasion, in my opinion.
★ 1,122 characters
3.96/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Amber color with lots of thick off-white head with great retention and leaving laces.
Delicious citrus and floral aroma balanced with malt. Hints of peaches or lychees.
Nice upfront bitter taste, controlled malt sweetness balanced with grassy and floral hops. Notes of grapefruit and tangerines with its internal segment peels. Dry and bitter aftertaste.
Light to medium body with appropriate carbonation.
Excellent execution, balanced and flavorful. An improved Czech Pilsner slightly going towards an APA.
★ 507 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Amber color with lots of thick off-white head with great retention and leaving laces.
Delicious citrus and floral aroma balanced with malt. Hints of peaches or lychees.
Nice upfront bitter taste, controlled malt sweetness balanced with grassy and floral hops. Notes of grapefruit and tangerines with its internal segment peels. Dry and bitter aftertaste.
Light to medium body with appropriate carbonation.
Excellent execution, balanced and flavorful. An improved Czech Pilsner slightly going towards an APA.
★ 507 characters
3.9/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I don't think the constant rebranding of this beer is necessary. Nevertheless, this is Canadian Dream, another name for the same beer from Mikkeller. From notes.
A - Poured hazy dark orange with a three finger fluffy white head. Strong carbonation, good lace rings, and a finger of retention.
S - Great grassy and skunky noble hops. Some citrus and peach too. Nice.
T - Grassy, grapefruit, dry grain.
M - Quite dry throughout with good carbonation, medium body and a dry finish.
O/D - A decent pils. Too dry though in the middle palate. Seemed to take away from the flavour. A nice pils otherwise and I could have a few.
★ 627 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I don't think the constant rebranding of this beer is necessary. Nevertheless, this is Canadian Dream, another name for the same beer from Mikkeller. From notes.
A - Poured hazy dark orange with a three finger fluffy white head. Strong carbonation, good lace rings, and a finger of retention.
S - Great grassy and skunky noble hops. Some citrus and peach too. Nice.
T - Grassy, grapefruit, dry grain.
M - Quite dry throughout with good carbonation, medium body and a dry finish.
O/D - A decent pils. Too dry though in the middle palate. Seemed to take away from the flavour. A nice pils otherwise and I could have a few.
★ 627 characters
4.48/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Mikkeller Dream Pils has a very thick, frothy, cream-colored head, a hazy, gold-orange appearance, with lots of little tan yeast chunks suspended throughout, strong, streaming bubbles, and a very thick, sticky lacing (more like a coating) left behind on the glass. The aroma is of strong, pungent, sweet bread crust, caramelized sugar, citrus peel, and hop oil. Taste is of sweet, bready malt, citrus peel, pine, hop oil, and cut grass. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy and slick (or oily). Mikkeller Dream Pils finishes dry, bitter, sweet, and bold. Overall, this is a very tasty beer, and I highly recommend it!
RJT
★ 615 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Mikkeller Dream Pils has a very thick, frothy, cream-colored head, a hazy, gold-orange appearance, with lots of little tan yeast chunks suspended throughout, strong, streaming bubbles, and a very thick, sticky lacing (more like a coating) left behind on the glass. The aroma is of strong, pungent, sweet bread crust, caramelized sugar, citrus peel, and hop oil. Taste is of sweet, bready malt, citrus peel, pine, hop oil, and cut grass. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy and slick (or oily). Mikkeller Dream Pils finishes dry, bitter, sweet, and bold. Overall, this is a very tasty beer, and I highly recommend it!
RJT
★ 615 characters
3.95/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle labeled "The Canadian Dream'
Poured from a 330ml bottle into a stemmed tulip glass.
A: Straw in color with a nice orangey hue and is almost clear. Pours to a huge, frothy tan head that lasts a long time; it never really dissipates completely and looks like a dense, frothy floating collar. Lots of lacing!
S: Mild…. Some hop spiciness, a bit floral with some lemon and coriander notes, some sweet malt. Enticing!
T: Very smooth on the palate, a nice balance of spicy bittering hops and malt. The finish is long and dry and while not completely clean, it is not overly bitter.
M: Medium body and carbonation.
O: A delicious beer that is balanced quite nicely.
★ 672 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle labeled "The Canadian Dream'
Poured from a 330ml bottle into a stemmed tulip glass.
A: Straw in color with a nice orangey hue and is almost clear. Pours to a huge, frothy tan head that lasts a long time; it never really dissipates completely and looks like a dense, frothy floating collar. Lots of lacing!
S: Mild…. Some hop spiciness, a bit floral with some lemon and coriander notes, some sweet malt. Enticing!
T: Very smooth on the palate, a nice balance of spicy bittering hops and malt. The finish is long and dry and while not completely clean, it is not overly bitter.
M: Medium body and carbonation.
O: A delicious beer that is balanced quite nicely.
★ 672 characters
4.43/5 rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: big frothy head stays strong until the last drop; very active carbonation, like a fountain of bubbles; light copper colour, clear
Aroma: strong citrus and pine hops - very fresh and not too bitter; fresh lemon; touch of syrup; wheat
Taste & Mouthfeel: mild start, with bread, lemon zest, mineral water keeping things light and refreshing, then spruce hops slowly glide in to make for a lasting and vibrant finish; good transition of flavours, everything balanced well, no one element overpowering
Overall: just about a perfect pilsener, crisp and dry, with a little more hops than you might expect; fresh and pure tastes of mineral, grain, and pine give it a feel of truly coming from the land
★ 708 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: big frothy head stays strong until the last drop; very active carbonation, like a fountain of bubbles; light copper colour, clear
Aroma: strong citrus and pine hops - very fresh and not too bitter; fresh lemon; touch of syrup; wheat
Taste & Mouthfeel: mild start, with bread, lemon zest, mineral water keeping things light and refreshing, then spruce hops slowly glide in to make for a lasting and vibrant finish; good transition of flavours, everything balanced well, no one element overpowering
Overall: just about a perfect pilsener, crisp and dry, with a little more hops than you might expect; fresh and pure tastes of mineral, grain, and pine give it a feel of truly coming from the land
★ 708 characters
3.87/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Amber-blonde colour, 2 fingers of white head, lots of lace all the way down the glass. Smell is a mix of crisp crackery malt, citrus and an earthy floralness, hoppy with some lemon and melon/honey dew and a bit of peach. Taste starts of with a crisp malt before getting into dry earthy hop flavours, lemony citrus, fairly bitter. Med drying carbonation, lightly oily witha crisp medium body. A nice hoppy beer but seems to be fairly similar to most euro/danish IPA's I have come across.
★ 486 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Amber-blonde colour, 2 fingers of white head, lots of lace all the way down the glass. Smell is a mix of crisp crackery malt, citrus and an earthy floralness, hoppy with some lemon and melon/honey dew and a bit of peach. Taste starts of with a crisp malt before getting into dry earthy hop flavours, lemony citrus, fairly bitter. Med drying carbonation, lightly oily witha crisp medium body. A nice hoppy beer but seems to be fairly similar to most euro/danish IPA's I have come across.
★ 486 characters
Danish Dream from Mikkeller ApS
3.95
out of 5
based on 216 ratings.
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
I have been exbeeriencing problems with some of my CAN backlog due to the unabating heat & humidity here in LanCANster, PA this summer. CANs have been pooching & even bursting in the face of the unrelenting, relentless heat & humidity. Sure, that was redundant, but you should feel the moist heat. As an asthmatic, it is like trying to breathe through wet cement. Ugh. The reason that I mention this is that I noticed this tallboy laying on its side recently. When I picked it up to find the cause, I saw that the usually CANcave bottom of the CAN was now, somehow, CANvex! This is a rare failure, but I put it right into the reefer to keep it cool until a proper Crack & Glug could be CANducted.
From the CAN: "Pilsner-style Beer"
The time has come! Nothing untoward happened on CANducting the Crack!, but I was as leery as Timothy as far as the Glug was CANcerned. I really needn't have been since it formed the most beautiful two fingers of dense, rocky, tawny head with the most excellent retention that I have seen in years. Color was a hazy/cloudy solid Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9). Nose had a grassy hoppiness that immediately made me think of a Czech Pils. Mouthfeel was soft, really amazing. Not thin, not watery, but just really soft on the tongue. Man, was this a hoppy beer! Very grassy with a touch of mint and hay and suddenly I was transported back to the early-1970s on my maternal grandparents' upper lot, surrounded by working farm before the developers completely revamped the landscape. I got to drive the tractor in the hay fields once & there is nothing like the smell of fresh-mown hay drying in the summer sun. My maternal aunt planted mint for tea one summer & it was highly refreshing, especially as iced tea. If you have never experienced fresh-mown grass, then I CANnot help you. This beer was evocative of all of these. Finish was dry, as it should be. It was highly refreshing on a hot, humid summer day. The only drawback/caveat is its price point, which for me, makes it a one-and-done. Ouch.
★ 2,023 characters