Imperial Pils
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

 

Picked up a growler after seeing CorporateJim throughly enjoying his mug. Saw it here several times in my last few visits, but was never in an Imperial Pils mood. Well, I'm getting in one now.

Clear, straw yellow, snow white head, a bit thin, but attractive.

Clean aromatics. Cereal grain smell overall, with light fruity esters.

Drink it: Smooth, zesty, zippy, light and drinkable. Nice and malty mouthfeel, but easy going all the way, just a bit thick with the grain. Nearly chewy. Plenty of hops to spank the tongue. Juicy. Nearly treacly and honeyish, while staying on the dry side.

Don't think I could have too many of these. Pilsners just aren't my preference, and I think I'd get too tipsy if I don't watch out. But, didn't I go and buy a growler, what was I thinking? Oh, heck, it's gonna be one of those nights, isn't it?

Another winner from the seasonals at Rock Bottom chicago. Pete Crowly is a great brewmaster that only get's to wield his craft to his full potential when the Brewmaster specials come around. And luckly there alway's around !!!!

The smell is absolutely fantabulous. A huge fresh floral / spicy / fruity aroma that can be smelled from quite a distance. It has that sour milk and fresh malt grains smell as well.

Actual pils flavor that seems to be seriously amped up to epic proportion's. It is so sharp and crisp that you begin to think this is an IPA with the serious hop bitterness that hits you're tougne, not for the faint of heart or you're friend's that are trying to understand and try a real pilsener beer. The flavors of pale malts with a super spicy and floral hop mix mingle in you're mouth only to be consumed by a very long lingering and complex hop bitterness that seem's to never end. Also becomes very dry as a pils should be.

The best pils I've ever had and I've had many as it is my favorite style. I go about every other night to fill my growler, and the bartender said that they are almost out of it in one week. Definately watch out for this release in the future if you are a serious pil's fan. The O fest is up next and that is alway's a real treat !!!

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a thick creamy off-white head that last and last while perched on a clear golden orange body. There was a gentle carbonation gliding through the body as the head settled to a thin layer but still stayed smooth and creamy.

S- This beer has a pineapple green hop aroma with notes of pine and some nice depth. The hops note was big but no just plain Noble hops, very nice.

T- This beer has a big dry hop bite with a light sulfur note in the background. The taste of pineapple weed and grapefruit with hints of pine were well blended into the juicy hop taste. There was even a nice peppery spice note to the hops in the finish. The grain flavors were also very nice, with the taste of fresh pale malt and raw grain with a light dry field corn note. The flavors were very tasty.

M- This beer has a medium-full mouthfeel with a fizz that helps dry out the finish nicely.

D- This is the pinnacle of Imperial Pilsners and the best I have tasted so far. The big hops have some nice depth and character while the grain has good flavor yet taste like a Pilsner grain bill. I'm not a fan of pilsners but this is a excellent Imp. Pilsner.

Helles Yeah! This is one hell of a beer.

Translucent light gold with beautiful lacing.

Nose is magnificent and throws bold aromas of Amarillo, boat loads of Simcoe hops, mango, and lemon.

The taste gives off a very Bavarian feel from the yeasts and malts. They carry through well despite the impressively complex citrus hops.

The Mouthfeel is just great. Crisp as Snap, Crackle, and Pop. Very bitter finish that demands you to keep drinking.

Sooo easy to drink! By far the best brew I’ve had from Rock Bottom.

This Imperial Pilsner was served in a standard pint glass. It was a translucent gold with dense white head. Good lace.

Floral nose backed by grain and grass. Nice but not as huge as I expected.

First impression is hops (saz). The beer is nice, almost like an ampped up Prima. It is bracing and backed with just enough graininess to balance. Cascade hop type pine taste later.

Crisp yet smooth. Wow what an easy drinker. The bartender told me the doubled the hops and the malts and they experimented with hop combinations for this beer.

I would love to see this one moved to the regular rotation!