Hot Shot Pils
Selin's Grove Brewing Company

After a 5 year hiatus, the hot shot pils is back. This time the peppers used were locally grown red savina habaneros.

On tap at the source, the brew appears a hazy golden orange to yellow around the edges. A finger of frothy cap rests atop that fades leaving patchy lacework on the glass.

The aroma contains a note of citrus hops and mild sulfur. A mild fruity inclusion and floral aspect blend with somewhat of a dry fresh toasty grain. There is seemingly no pepper inclusion in the nose outside of a mild extra hint of citrus.

The taste includes plenty of noble herbal to grassy hops with a bit of bitterness. Some suggestions of sulfur break things up midpalate. Some fruity to floral flavoring across the middle with some earthen green pepper flavor and spice towards the back.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is a clean and easy drinking brew with a modest kick of citrus and peppery warmth that lasts long after each sip and hinders the crisp finish a bit. This is a pretty solid execution of a pepper beer. The choice in using a pils for the base was a unique choice. Id recommend trying this but considering there is only 1 keg of it, it is probably already gone.

On tap at the SGB on 10/4/08.

Pours a hazy gold color with a finger of creamy brite-white head. Thin layer of retention that leaves a solid latticework of retention behind. The aroma is mmm. Smells warm and inviting with peppery spices that tingle the nose underneath additional notes of citrus and bready malt sweetness.

The taste is toasty, bready tasting Pils malts with a splash of citrus and then the peppery spices come out to play, adding some heat, and warming the mouth and lips towards the finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a firm creamy carbonation and fairly crisp feel.

Interesting take on a style here. Like a Pils with a shot of peppery Tobasco in it. A little one-note maybe but I apprecitate the effort for something different.

On tap at SGB on 9/27/08.

A - Hazy pale golden body with half a finger of frothy white head that receded but left excellent ornate lacing.

S - Mild jalapeno and green pepper rings dominate the aroma. Some bready/biscuity malt and a touch of citrus rind add contrast to the somewhat spicy pepper nose.

T - Starts off like your typical pilsner with a bready/biscuity malt character and some citrus bitterness, but then the spiciness of the peppers kicks in. Interesting, unique flavor, albeit a little strange at first.

M - Pretty creamy texture with moderate carbonation. Mildly spicy on the palate with a bit of residual heat from the pepper oils.

D - Interesting experimental brew from SGB that I was glad to have tried. Drinks like a pils with a bit of head from the addition of the peppers.

Not sure if this should be listed under fruit/vegetable beers or pilsners? I guess pils is more appropriate.

A German style pils made with fresh jalapeno peppers! I think I hear multitudes of deceased German Brewmasters turning over in their graves at the thoughts of this one!

A-Orange kissed golden yellow with a thin white head. No lacing present, most likely due to the pepper oils.

S-Light malty sweetness with a hint of heat and a bit of the jalapeno aroma coming in upon warming.

T-Light spicy hops meet a subtle at first, then slightly building, heat smack from the peppers. The heat is not overdone and this is quite nice.

M-Medium-light body with a sharp bite. A bit of oiliness from the peppers build as one goes through the pint.

D-Better than expected. An interesting combo that work pretty well. Went great with my Fest dinner of Brats and Kraut!