Lakes and Rivers Imperial Pilsner
ShawneeCraft Brewing Company

1908
Name: Lakes and River Imperial Pilsner
Brewery: Shawnee Brewing
Location: Delaware, PA
Style: Imperial Pilsner
ABV: 9.0%
Date: Unknown
Next on the review desk is an Imperial Pilsner from Shawnee Brewing, collaborating with Wallenpaupack. In my continuation of working through this massive haul from Jay, my interest was piqued by this beer and the other one from the series. I enjoy an excellent pilsner, but one clocking in at nine percent is crazy. I am serving in a German pilsner glass at around 44 degrees. The pour created a frothy, creamy two-fingered bright white head with okay retention. The dissipation left bits of lacing on the glass. I chart the beer around SRM 4, pale straw with light golden hues. The clarity is clear to brilliant with lots of carbonation. Judging the apperance on the pilsner guideline, I would have liked to see a longer-lasting head; however, the high alcohol content may be a factor as to why.
Nosing the glass, I smell heavy sweet malts, lightly floral, crackers, and bread. The malt's aromas are dominating, and difficult for me to figure out anything else.
The first sip of the beer, the hefty malt backbone, is bready and sweet, with crackers and a skosh of caramel. The hop profile is there, but in the background, I taste floral and a hint of pepper. Other flavors are yeast and alcohol.
The mouthfeel is chewy and warm, finishing dry. The body is medium-plus and has medium carbonation.
This pilsner is packing heat. The massive malt backbone is different; I am used to a lighter, crisper pilsner that wants to be friends on a breezy summer night. However, this beer wants you to take notice. I don't know how to feel about it. I like it when brewers take a chance and see if it works, for example, here or not. That is the art of brewing beer; write your own rules. The more I process this, I would drink it again, albeit you would need an Uber after two.