Koutská 12° Dvanáctka
Pivovar Kout na Šumavě

Taster at Bitterceek. Dark golden, tight creamy head, curtains of lacing. Compared to the 10, this one has less of a malt presence, and a bit more hoppiness. Still creamy and smooth. And excellent

 

 

leagues better and more flavorful than their 10, and one of the more unique beers in this style i have had in a long time, i absolutely loved this, and could have hung out and had a dozen of them if i didnt have places to be, this really turned me on. i believe its done with honey, if its not, they have developed some really neat flavors from the grain here, i smell and taste a highly floral waxy honeycomb thing that i just adore. the hops have to be saaz, noble for sure, but slightly citrusy with a spicy even zesty bitterness to them that balances whatever sweetness comes from honey or grain here, the whole thing is earthy, balanced, and as complex a beer from this region as i have ever had. the lagering is patient and thorough, this is dry at the end, and has a very old worldy timeless sort of yeast taste to it. some minerality, some dried flowers, the green hops, and a biscuity sort of richness. amazing beer, brightly carbonated, and just a joy to drink on, especially from the tap. id love to know more about how this one was made, ive really never had anything quite like it, and it really exceeded my expectations. i swear there has to be some raw honey in here. this was just epic and i cant wait to have another!

 

 

On draft at the Avenue Pub in New Orleans. A tough pull, with tons of light, ultra-fluffy head to slough off. Delicate balance of aromatics, lemongrass, wheat, hops, and bubble gum. Chewier body than expected.

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at Beer Market in Rochester, NY.

This one pours a mostly clear light orange, with a small head and a good amount of lacing.

Smells kinda fruity on the nose, with grassy, flowery and spicy hops.

This is excellent. There's slight bready malts, a pleasant light fruity skunk, and a heavy and awesome spicy hop bitterness. It's also quite grassy, fresh cut, with some light floral character. This is exactly what I want when I want a pilsner.

This is so crisp, and mostly clean, with a good level of carbonation.

This is one of the best pilsners I've ever had. The hop character is killer and there's just enough malt. Delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

Had in a tulip glass on tap at Alewife, Long Island City, NY. I got the last glass from the keg....

Appears straw yellow but perhaps slightly more opaque or cloudy than your average Czech Pilsener (the lighting in the bar wasn't good, though).

Smells good....

The taste is very well-rounded; refreshing, malty, and bitter- very well balanced, though the bitterness has a pleasant lingering to it. The bitterness is well rounded, blunt; not too much, nor is it grassy or fruity- definitely not an American style beer. Nor does it have quite the bite of a German Pilsener. No taste of the alcohol. It's definitely more flavorful than any Czech Pilsener I've had before, and definitely stands out within the confines of the style. It's complex and unique; there's definitely something special going on.

Feels bigger and heavier than your average pilsener, though it is still quite easy to drink.

This is the best Czech Pilsener I've had, however, I wouldn't say it's as easy to drink or goes as well with food as more common, lighter Czech Pilseners. I'd gladly have it again.

Had this at Alewife NYC. Served in a 5 ounce nonic glass.

Smells sweet and malty with a touch of grassy hops and melon(!).

The melon-like flavor here is the big surprise. It's got the biscuity quality and lightly earthy and grassy hops profile, touches of sweet malt and then a honeydew or cantaloupe flavor. Very pleasing.

It has all the drinkability one wants in a pils and doesn't fill.

A nice find.