Travis Pilsner
Heretic Brewing Company

 

rather light bodied pils here, but more flavor from than grain than a lot of its peers, so its slightly confusing, hully and almost tannic for a second, especially at temperature, and light on the hops as these go too, so a little bit of a different balance to this, which i guess makes it distinctive. pretty clean and brisk on the ferment which keeps it light enough, despite it having a bit of a richer color for the style, short white head from the can, good clarity and shine, flattens out a little after a minute. it smells like bread to me, a little bit warmer, brassy minerality, husks and hulls, slightly european, cooked grain, mellow yeast character but its there. the flavor is similar, less of that doughy lager character a bit more white bread and its crusts, short of toasted but maybe a little honey wrinkle, lightly grassy hops, and actually quite a bit lighter in the flavor than in the nose and in the appearance. some fruitiness as it warms up, light hops. could use just a bit more carbonation but it still drinks easy. i am used to much more robust and ambitious beers from these guys, it was different to have three recent beers from them that were all basic and classic styles, seems like a bit of a change of direction for heretic perhaps? because of its simplicity, this beer seems a little underwhelming, like these types often end up about the quality for me, and while this isnt inferior in any way, it also really doesnt leap out of the glass as exceptional in any way. drinkable but also forgettable.