Marco Polo
Indie Ale House Brewing Company

 

Slightly hazed lemony yellow colour with a nice looking, long-lived head. A little more handsome than your average pilsner, I think. Gently lemony hops on the nose. Grassy lemon hops to taste. Lemony finish with a slightly dry follow up. Yes, lemon is the theme here, not common for a pilsner, but still tasty enough all around.

 

 

 

Under no circumstances could this beer be called amber, either there have been some cracked brews out out by the brewery or something kooky. Beer can be subjective but this is a very light golden straw colour with a frothy three finger head that collapses into a dense mix of bubbles, one finger thick, with extremely prominent lacing. This is a fresh release from their new tall cans.

Bready, wheaty, cereal grains with a metallic twang on the nose from the hops. Lemon is mostly the presence of citrus here, with a floral and slightly earthy nose.

Pleasant hop bitter forward palate, the taste is floral and slightly earthy, pleasant. I enjoy the floral notes here! Grassy and grainy malts in the background, nice and light. Mildly crackery, and I think I even note some delicious spiciness from the hops in the finish! Very slight sulphur hit to the finish that tends to accentuate the bitterness, gives it a dryer finish that is a great finish to the slight vinous character of the body. It’s great — even German Pils can have an unsavoury thick cheesy flavour. This is clean and dry

While unique, I tasted or saw nothing here that makes it egregiously not a Pilsner. The Italian yeast gives it a unique edge — the new world brewing techniques gives it more of a bitterness as well. But it is not advertised as ‘Classic pils from Plsen’, rather, an Italian styled Pilsner. Beer styles are nebulous these days but it fits quite well.

Light bodied, bitter finish with a mild sweetness, pretty dry. Floral, mildly spicy, crackery and cereal grains on the palate. Good carbonation, crisp and clean on each sip.

Honestly, I have to admit I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I didn’t think I would dislike it, I’ve just had a lot of Pilsners and this was a pleasant surprise, just as good, clean, and delicious as any old world Pilsner. Wonderful stuff honestly!

I was disappointed. The citrus hops seemed very out of place for a pilsener, Italian or otherwise. Light amber, slightly cloudy but O.K., with a large white head. Citrus hops in the aroma, and very much so in the flavour. It detracted from any pilsener malt character. It was crisp like a lager, but I hesitate to call it a pilsener. Inappropriate hops. It was refreshing though. Great form summer drinking.

 

 

 

Sept 12 2021

355 mL can from the LCBO; dated 08/07/2021 and served barely chilled.

Pours a clear brassy golden colour, topped with more than a finger of soapy, billowing white head that recedes within five minutes or so. A narrow ring of lacing is left in its wake, above a thick, creamy collar that encircles a frothy cap - this is one fine looking lager by any metric. It smells of lemon peel, and floral, grassy hops, with faint hints of clean, crackery pale malts. Very fragrant for the style - me like.

A flavourful dry-hopped lager - I'm getting bright lemon zest right off the bat, followed up by subtler notes of bready pale malts and grainy sweetness. Grassy, vinous, slightly spicy hops join in towards the finishing - it's slightly more bitter than most pilseners, but not outrageously so. Light in body, with average carbonation levels that feel spritzy on the tongue. Unbelievably easy to toss back, and it's a treat to do so.

Final Grade: 4.07, an A-. Marco Polo is not at all a stereotypical German pils, but that should be obvious based on the name itself. Definitely pricier than most pale lagers, but I will say that I got what I paid for: a very good dry-hopped pils that is likely to satisfy lager lovers and hopheads alike. This is honestly one of the best Canadian lagers I've had in months, if not years, and will continue to pick it up regularly if possible - seek this one out, for sure.

355 ml can served cold into oversized scotch glass. LCBO purchase for $3.15CDN. Canned June 9, 2021. Styled as Italian Pilsner.

Appearance - Bright gold, mostly clear beer with a small linger of loose head resting on top. Quickly fizzles away leaving behind a small soapy collar. Quite effervescent.

Smell - Clean and grassy notes, lots of lemon zest and very refreshing aroma in all.

Taste - Bright and grassy, popping with lemon notes and some general bready flavors.

Mouthfeel - Light bodied, light exploding bubbles massage the tongue, semi-dry finish, but in general light, but not lacking.

Overall - This is only the second "Italian Pilsner" that I've sampled but Marco Polo shares many of the characteristics as the other one "Glorioso" from Left Field. Both are bright and snappy, leaning towards grassy with lemon popping in and out, well carbonated but light and extremely refreshing. I might take Glorioso by a nose, but both of these beers are delightful for a hot summer's day super crisp and refreshing. Despite the steep price, I may be back for more.

 

I seen a new can of beer at the lcbo in Ontario 355ml at 5% .
Italian style pilsner. poured a 1finger head into glass..
smell was spicy and the taste was zesty and hoppy with a very light bitterness.
this pilsner is very easy drinking and enjoyable .
it feels lighter then 5% maybe 4.5%.
overall a tasty and crispy pilsner beer .
cheers.