Gotcha Matcha
Mikkeller ApS

low alcohol german pils brewed with matcha tea, done for san francisco beer week, was pleased to score this on tap. im not totally sold on the base pils, like im wondering why its a little flat and devoid of yeast character, but i think the tea is the stronger flavor, and maybe accounts for some of the haziness and dull appearance, and maybe covers up some of the nuance of the very light base beer. i love the wide glassware they use for beers like this at the mikkeller bar, serves a style like this well, huge nose on it of earthy wet grass and floral green tea, some noble hops in the mix too enhancing it, good synergy there. the malt is european and light, fermented to near dry, but the crispness i want in the style isnt really here, part of that could be due to this lack of carbonation, but it doesnt drink as light and thirst quenching as it sounded to me on paper. lightly chalky, a hint of seaweed, minerals everywhere, slightly bready as it warms. good but not amazing, i think if they did this again they could dial it in quite a lot more, but i love the low alcohol, the use of the tea, and the perpetual spirit of innovation here! not a miss but it should be a little better than it is from these guys...