Rotating Hop Pilsner: Liberty
Enegren Brewing Company

Packaged on 5/27/2025 - enjoyed on 6/20/2025 - poured from a pint can into my Radegerber pokal.

Clear flax body, magnolia cap. Fluffy tendrils of lacing - excellent retention.

Crackery, vaguely floral aroma - clean and subtle.

Malt forward, yet crisp and bright. Hints of citrus and hay. Modest but persistent bitterness (35 IBUs). Fairly dry finish with some lager yeast character.

Medium-light bodied, well carbonated, refreshing.

Simple but not simplistic - a decent domestic take on the style, though perhaps better with food.

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: German Pilsner
Glass: Pure Project .5L pilsner glass
Price: $3.75
From: Bottlecraft Beer Shop in North Park (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: July 16, 2022
Consumed: July 23, 2022
Misc.: No canned on date

Had this right before buying a can as Chris got me a pour while looking around Bottlecraft. Gave that one a 4.25. Untappd description was “Rotating Hop Pilsner. German-style Pilsner w/ Liberty hops.” Looking up the Liberty hop the characteristics are “Deriving from the German noble hop Hallertau, Liberty’s mild floral and spicy characteristics and overall clean flavor make them an ideal choice for German-style beers. Because of its parentage, Liberty shares many characteristics with the noble hops. Relatively low in alpha acids, the hop is mostly used for aroma.” Gave a Willamette-hopped version a 4.39 on Feb. 6, 2021 so was expecting this one to be close.

Poured a pale yellow clear color with 4-to-5 fingers of rocky white head. Could see lots of bubbles coming up from the bottom and sides of the glass at pretty quick speeds. World-class foamy lacing. Perfect foamy retention. (Sight - 4.75)

Smelled Noble hops, grass, hay, sourdough bread, black peppery spice, biscuit, white cracker, floral and citrus zest. Just as good from the can. Really nice on the nose. (Smell - 4.50)

Taste wasn’t quite as good as the nose but still really good. In order got Noble hops, black pepper, grass, hay, sourdough bread, white cracker, floral and citrus zest. (Taste - 4.25)

Medium body. Oily-to-creamy texture. Lively carbonation. Clean, dry finish. (Feel - 4.50)

Just as good as I thought it would be with a full review. Another awesome beer from Enegren. (Overall - 4.25)

4.37 | 97 | A

 

 

Enegren just knows how to do pilsner/lager right. This one was canned a year ago but held up well. Excellent 2 inch foam that laces nicely. Fresh bread with lemon hint on the nose. Taste follows nose pretty much, some slight sweetness at finish. Very drinkable, perfect for a 90 degree summer day such as this.

This one is straight up. Like, I’ve had German Lagers. I know German Lagers. And when I drink this one, it is down the line a German Lager. Which is cool if you watch DateLine every weekend while eating your basic chicken parmesan ordered from an Italian restaurant that you always go to. There is no surprise. There is nothing sparkling or mysteriously exotic. Again, it’s your average German Lager… And I am just finding myself somewhere that I have found myself many times before.

Poured from a can at fridge temp. Pours a relatively transparent yellow with a solid amount of head on a gentle pour. Two inches approximately. Tons of bubbles rising throughout. The nose is bready malts, lemon, orange, wheat. The taste is super smooth. Mild sweetness, an earthy note, wheat, orange, slight citrus peel. Mouthfeel is light and dry. Overall, a really nice pilsner.