Amarillo Pils
Heater Allen Brewing

Clear golden body with a huge eggshell white head and beautiful lacing. Aromas of citrus earthy pine from the hops with bready yeast and crisp malt. Taste has a spicy amarillo hop bitter dunked in a sneaky bready pilsner with a crusty bread emphasis, orange lingers in the finish. Feel is frothy and clean with a bitter, dry finish that is quenching.

 

 

 

 

 

Unfiltered golden copper body, crisp malt, bold floral bitterness, mild grapefruit, freshly baked bread, a bit of bitter resin as well, but not too much to make it anywhere near an IPL, very nice balance. Medium lighter bodied, mildly astringent finish

Look: Clear golden yellow with a billowing white head that pillows up to one finger and slowly settles, leaving awesome lacing behind
Aroma: Floral notes, soda crackers, pilsner malt, Meyer lemons, tangerines, and cut grass clippings
Taste: Orange-led citrus fruits - Cara Cara oranges, tangelos, and lemons - and pilsner malt kick it off. Cut grass enters the frame and shines for a moment before transitioning to a pilsner malt and lightly floral chapter. Closes with citrus, grass, and soda crackers
Mouthfeel: Light but full, very clean and crisp throughout, medium-high carbonation, and somewhat light but definitely felt dryness on the finish
Overall: This is tasty stuff. Lisa and her team strike again and I love the idea of this single-hopped Pilsner that I’ve had the pleasure of trying two iterations of. Amarillo isn’t what you’d think of as a variety for a German Pils but it works and showcases the hop’s aspects very well. Lots of citrus fruit aroma/taste that is prominent amongst the typical style aspects of cracker-like malt, floral notes, and cut grass. Delicious and definitely recommended

First sip didn’t hit me like some con taking a seat in Lil Sparky, but after I went in for another I was feeling it right well. It’s just beautiful and light like Raul chillin at Twilight (and no, Kristen Stewart is not invited). When I let it linger like a Cranberry, it has a lil bready bite to it that I like right well. All I can say is get it cuz Raul wouldn’t mind getting it again.

Can from Uptown Market.

A clear coppery gold with a dense, off-white head with excellent retention and lacing this looks great. The nose is a blend of catty, pine heavy Amarillo hops, mildly floral notes, an undercurrent of old world noble hops that complement the Amarillo notes quite nicely. A very clean, lightly fruity lager yeast character is present. Thankfully, no sulfur or off notes are present.

The palate opens moderately bitter with a resiny, earthy, pungent bitterness, along with pine, some citrus, mild cat notes. Clean, bitter, mildly fruity yeast notes. An almost toast like note is present, making this export lager like, and really amplifying the sensation that this is more an IPL. Bitter, smooth, hoppy on the finish. Solid.

Purchased from Uptown Beer Co. Enjoyed in a nonic half-pint glass. Date stamp on the bottom of the can reads, "Canned on 05/02/2021". (I'm assuming that's the military/European date format for February 5, 2021, and not a misprint.)

Look:
Heater Allen Amarillo Pils is a beautiful rich gold color with a subtle glow of haze. The foam is luxuriously creamy and dense, and yields lavish lacing.

Smell:
Classic doughy malt with gentle floral hops and a smidge of sulfur. There's also a citrus undertone to the hop character, which works with the malt to create a whiff of orange honey. Nice.

Taste:
Leads with grainy, bready malt flavors rounded out with a touch of sweetness. A suggestion of orange honey emerges as floral and citrusy hops pull out in front of the malt. The Amarillo character of grapefruit peel/candied orange is easy to pick out. Finishes with the firm bitterness you'd expect from a German pilsner, along with a return of the soft and bready maltiness from the intro.

Feel:
Soft, medium-light body with brisk carbonation.

Overall:
I like good pilsners. I like Amarillo hops. And overall this is the kind of well-made and delicious pilsner that history has led us to expect from Heater Allen. Yet I find the Amarillo hops more of a distraction than a complement here. As a result, the beer lacks the harmony I want in a pilsner, and the beer ends up somewhat less successful than the standard Heater Allen Pils.

Of course, your mileage may vary. If you see it, try it.