Gretel
Idle Hands Craft Ales
- From:
- Idle Hands Craft Ales
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- German Pilsner
Ranked #20 - ABV:
- 4.6%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #5,278 - Avg:
- 4.27 | pDev: 6.09%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 7
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 07, 2026
- Added:
- Jul 29, 2020
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
We brewed Gretel with a very traditional focus using 100% noble hops and a simple grain bill. The result is a snappy Pils with a light grassy character and touches of spice in the finish.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts
3.94/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Nearly clear, neutral golden color. Smallish head that settles to film. Thin but plentiful streaks on the glass.
Grainy aroma, similar to a Helles. Low hop.
The taste is better balanced with a definitive white pepper hop finish. Appropriate body and carbonation. The pale malt holds up from the beginning through the aftertaste. Refreshingly, yet not a lawnmower beer taste wise.
Sep 03, 2023Grainy aroma, similar to a Helles. Low hop.
The taste is better balanced with a definitive white pepper hop finish. Appropriate body and carbonation. The pale malt holds up from the beginning through the aftertaste. Refreshingly, yet not a lawnmower beer taste wise.
Reviewed by Sheppard from Massachusetts
3.75/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Oh boy, this is a tough one, since Idle Hands brews this more than they do Adelais, but it's just not as good. Pours a pale golden with white head. It's not so aromatic, compared to Adelais and those gorgeous saphir hops. Strong herbal noble hop note dominates the flavor, it's not grassy, not what I'd describe as vegetal, but definitely hop forward. This is a fine German Pils, but you're talking about a brewery with a better horse in its stable.
Mar 10, 2023
Reviewed by StoutElk_92 from Massachusetts
4.5/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Grainy, sweet, biscuity, toasted bready malts, grassy noble spice hops, earthy, floral, herbal, snappy, bitter, hints of apple skin, mild pear, grape, grapenuts
Jan 22, 2023
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina
4.25/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: A quick bubble show builds a two finger head atop the crystal clear golden liquid; patchy lacing hangs around
Smell: Bready with a sulfur tone and some grassy hop character
Taste: The hops are pronounced from the outset, bringing a grassy flavor profile with a hint of sulfur; bready malts support underneath
Mouthfeel: Light body with crisp carbonation
Overall: A crisp, refreshing pilsner; excellent example of the style
Mar 30, 2022Smell: Bready with a sulfur tone and some grassy hop character
Taste: The hops are pronounced from the outset, bringing a grassy flavor profile with a hint of sulfur; bready malts support underneath
Mouthfeel: Light body with crisp carbonation
Overall: A crisp, refreshing pilsner; excellent example of the style
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island
4.2/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On-tap 1/16/2022 at Cask & Pig in Dartmouth, MA, served in US tumbler pint glass.
A: The beer is a very light gold color, with a short white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains lager yeast, light caramelized malts and a touch of grassy hops.
T: The taste starts out bready with flavors of lager yeast and a light malt character. Then some caramel and malt sweetness comes in. The hops presence is mild overall but slightly strong for the style and provides a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly bready and slightly sweet.
M: Very crisp and very smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is very clean.
O: Tasty, goes down very easily, not filling at all, mild kick, very good representation of style. This is a very solid beer to drink for a while, if you’re in the mood for the style.
Jan 16, 2022A: The beer is a very light gold color, with a short white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains lager yeast, light caramelized malts and a touch of grassy hops.
T: The taste starts out bready with flavors of lager yeast and a light malt character. Then some caramel and malt sweetness comes in. The hops presence is mild overall but slightly strong for the style and provides a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly bready and slightly sweet.
M: Very crisp and very smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is very clean.
O: Tasty, goes down very easily, not filling at all, mild kick, very good representation of style. This is a very solid beer to drink for a while, if you’re in the mood for the style.
Reviewed by mnj21655 from Massachusetts
4.65/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.65/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pours a clear pale straw with a long lasting white head. Aroma is grainy with a little honey and cracker, maybe light herbal, spicy hop notes. Flavor is like the aroma very grainy. Light and refreshing. Medium-light body and moderately high carbonation. This is another excellent Pils from Idle Hands and is a perfect summer beer.
Aug 13, 2020
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!