Super Saaz Imperial Pilsner
Carolina Brewery

 

 

 

 

8.3% abv. per bottle label.Bottled in Pittsboro.Pours a rich clear full golden with a thick two finger crown that sits well atop leaving a half ring of clingy lace behind as it settles into a frothy mass.The aromas are lively with a big herbal and spiciness from all those Saaz hops,a little dough and fruity maltiness is there as well.The hops are big to be expexted on the palate with alot of spicy tones with a hefty herbal zip,some mild booziness comes inyo play along with sweetish pizza dough,there is a nice crispness in the finish.This is one of the better imperial style pils or whatever it's called style beers I have had,the hops really are big and it's not overly sweet and doughy.Maybe the best beer I have had from Carolina Brewery to date.

Poured from a bomber into a hybrid Sam glass.

A: Nice medium copper, substantial head that dissipated after a minute or so.

S: Faint alcohol, malt, and bitterness.

T: Pilsner malt, slightly unspecific hop bitterness, and alcohol lurking about.

M: Light to medium body, same for carbonation.

O: This is the first Imperial Pilsner I've tried, so a grain of salt here. The hops and alcohol lend a nice spiciness to this as it warms and the body builds. I need to try a few more in the style for a serious comparison, but this is enjoyable and fits the style description.

 

Pours amber. Small white head.

Smell is a little more bitter than I was expecting, but thats what those Saaz hops will do to ya. Sticky sweet malt backbone.

Taste is more bitter than anything. But its still very balanced. Sweet yet grainy malt backbone balances out what would be an overly bitter beer. I almost want to say the IBUs are high. Hops are slightly floral.