Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner | Coney Island Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Coney Island Brewing Company
New York, United States | website
Style: German Pilsener
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.20%
Availability: Summer
Notes / Commercial Description:
Mermaid Pilsner is a light-bodied, crisp-drinking, nicely hopped lager. A heavy-handed addition of rye malt adds a mild spiciness, which is balanced by a light, fruity, floral hop aroma.
Added by Nickls on 06-27-2009
Reviews: 92 | Ratings: 321
3.79/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Best before January 2016 damn I need to drink these ticks a bit faster!
A - Good yellow color a bit darker for the style with a 1/4 inch of head that pulls back to nice lacing.
S - Cereal grains and sweet malts mostly. Some hop presence but it seems a bit faded.
T - Quite nice actually the hops mended great with the sweet malt body and just the slightest bit of biscuit taste. Finish is clean with no skunk.
M - Quite smooth light to medium body its a touch heavy but it goes down easy enough.
Overall again I am impressed with these new beers released from Coney Island!
★ 576 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Best before January 2016 damn I need to drink these ticks a bit faster!
A - Good yellow color a bit darker for the style with a 1/4 inch of head that pulls back to nice lacing.
S - Cereal grains and sweet malts mostly. Some hop presence but it seems a bit faded.
T - Quite nice actually the hops mended great with the sweet malt body and just the slightest bit of biscuit taste. Finish is clean with no skunk.
M - Quite smooth light to medium body its a touch heavy but it goes down easy enough.
Overall again I am impressed with these new beers released from Coney Island!
★ 576 characters
3.8/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
It was poured from a brown 12 oz bottle into a tall pilsner glass. The label has a nice easy to read freshness date and a brief description of the beer.
Appearance: The body has a deep golden color with good clarity and some visible carbonation flowing up to an average inch thick head of foam. The head fades slowly and leaves a little bit of sticky lacing on the glass.
Smell: The aroma is mostly bready and sweet with some light cereal grain mixed in. The hops add of touch of herbal and citrus notes as well.
Taste / Palate: It has a solid foundation of bready and biscuity maltiness with a touch of spice. The hops add there expected herbal bitterness and citrusy brightness. The feel and palate is solid and full for the style. Overall it is a bit heavy in both malt and hops for the style but it is still a very enjoyable Pilsner.
★ 843 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
It was poured from a brown 12 oz bottle into a tall pilsner glass. The label has a nice easy to read freshness date and a brief description of the beer.
Appearance: The body has a deep golden color with good clarity and some visible carbonation flowing up to an average inch thick head of foam. The head fades slowly and leaves a little bit of sticky lacing on the glass.
Smell: The aroma is mostly bready and sweet with some light cereal grain mixed in. The hops add of touch of herbal and citrus notes as well.
Taste / Palate: It has a solid foundation of bready and biscuity maltiness with a touch of spice. The hops add there expected herbal bitterness and citrusy brightness. The feel and palate is solid and full for the style. Overall it is a bit heavy in both malt and hops for the style but it is still a very enjoyable Pilsner.
★ 843 characters
3.61/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Syrupy-gold looking with slow-rising bubbles and two thick fingers of dense and lasting white head. Heavy malt profile, sweet and bready, with floral hops behind. Lighter tasting than expected. Sweet malt and a creamy mouthfeel stand out most, with a slight touch of rye spice and just a little hop flavor and bitterness behind, and little bite or crispness to speak of. It's not super traditional, but definitely refreshing.
★ 427 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Syrupy-gold looking with slow-rising bubbles and two thick fingers of dense and lasting white head. Heavy malt profile, sweet and bready, with floral hops behind. Lighter tasting than expected. Sweet malt and a creamy mouthfeel stand out most, with a slight touch of rye spice and just a little hop flavor and bitterness behind, and little bite or crispness to speak of. It's not super traditional, but definitely refreshing.
★ 427 characters
3.59/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours a straw color with almost a finger of head. The nose has the essence of pilsner malt. The flavor profile is standard for the style with a touch of floral sweetness and a nice dry finish.
★ 194 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours a straw color with almost a finger of head. The nose has the essence of pilsner malt. The flavor profile is standard for the style with a touch of floral sweetness and a nice dry finish.
★ 194 characters
3.28/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
DATE TASTED: December 23, 2015... GLASSWARE: 22 oz. pilsener...OCCASION: prepping for Episode VII with Episode II--patience in viewing... APPEARANCE: glistening gold body that displays a cascade of bubbles... snow-white head measures two fingers, with a coral ring topping off a half-inch sustained spongy base--attractive... AROMA: Saaz and rye form an immediate, sharp cheese, aromatic flowers, and subtle pepper... the requisite biscuit is smooth and alluring, fresh and balanced...PALATE: a rather flat, slightly textured sip; mild body; dry and beefy at the finish, with a diminishing return at the throat....sessionable but on the watery side...TASTE: the initial flirtation of flowery hops gives way to a less developed, weak malt is moderately flavorful...a thin profile that only reflects the rye with some undercurrents of pepper, with apple and pear making a light, late appearance..OVERALL: the flavor does not deliver what the aroma portends...unfamiliar with Coney Island, I am not encouraged by this attempt, but at least the beer is drinkable, low in ABV, and attractive in a few aspects...
★ 1,107 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
DATE TASTED: December 23, 2015... GLASSWARE: 22 oz. pilsener...OCCASION: prepping for Episode VII with Episode II--patience in viewing... APPEARANCE: glistening gold body that displays a cascade of bubbles... snow-white head measures two fingers, with a coral ring topping off a half-inch sustained spongy base--attractive... AROMA: Saaz and rye form an immediate, sharp cheese, aromatic flowers, and subtle pepper... the requisite biscuit is smooth and alluring, fresh and balanced...PALATE: a rather flat, slightly textured sip; mild body; dry and beefy at the finish, with a diminishing return at the throat....sessionable but on the watery side...TASTE: the initial flirtation of flowery hops gives way to a less developed, weak malt is moderately flavorful...a thin profile that only reflects the rye with some undercurrents of pepper, with apple and pear making a light, late appearance..OVERALL: the flavor does not deliver what the aroma portends...unfamiliar with Coney Island, I am not encouraged by this attempt, but at least the beer is drinkable, low in ABV, and attractive in a few aspects...
★ 1,107 characters
3.6/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This beer pours a clear golden color with a nice bright white head. Decent retention and lacing. Smell is subtle, fruity and floral. Taste is the same with just a hint of bitterness. Feel is light and crisp. Very drinkable and refreshing. Overall there is nothing special about this beer, but it would be decent on a hot summer day.
★ 332 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This beer pours a clear golden color with a nice bright white head. Decent retention and lacing. Smell is subtle, fruity and floral. Taste is the same with just a hint of bitterness. Feel is light and crisp. Very drinkable and refreshing. Overall there is nothing special about this beer, but it would be decent on a hot summer day.
★ 332 characters
3.9/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Coney Island Brewing Co. "Mermaid Pilsner"
12 oz. brown glass bottle, notched Feb 2016 (on November 18 2015)
Notes: Fairly typical appearance. Clear gold body, bright white head, average retention/lacing. Aroma is floral, fruity (like a bowl of apples, cherries, pineapple... perhaps just "fruit salad"), mildly grassy, and spicy/woody like rye. Light-medium in body with a slightly elevated carbonation level. Crisp then smooth. The fruitiness remains, kind of like fruity pebbles, and there's a subtle sharpness and sweetness to it that leaves it remarkably drinkable. Smooth, mildly bitter finish. Interesting. Doesn't fit "pilsner", but I guess it's close enough, and a better sell than "blonde" or just "lager".
★ 717 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Coney Island Brewing Co. "Mermaid Pilsner"
12 oz. brown glass bottle, notched Feb 2016 (on November 18 2015)
Notes: Fairly typical appearance. Clear gold body, bright white head, average retention/lacing. Aroma is floral, fruity (like a bowl of apples, cherries, pineapple... perhaps just "fruit salad"), mildly grassy, and spicy/woody like rye. Light-medium in body with a slightly elevated carbonation level. Crisp then smooth. The fruitiness remains, kind of like fruity pebbles, and there's a subtle sharpness and sweetness to it that leaves it remarkably drinkable. Smooth, mildly bitter finish. Interesting. Doesn't fit "pilsner", but I guess it's close enough, and a better sell than "blonde" or just "lager".
★ 717 characters
2.98/5 rDev -18.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
It came from a 12oz bottle with an expiration date of January, 2016. The bottle number is 022950350 and I poured it into a 12oz glass (pint shaped).
Appearance: golden color, semi-clear, with no head
Smell: toasty and herbal like
Taste: a bit hoppy and bitter
Mouth feel: crisp and light
Overall: Not a bad beer on a warm day. It's not heavy and it taste a little light but it does have a flavor (as opposed to light beer). Recommend this beer if you're going to an outdoor gathering in the summer time. Drinkable enough that you can have a few but recommend a different beer if you're trying to impress or bringing as a gift. Still, a good beer to have in your fridge for any guest who enjoys beer.
★ 710 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
It came from a 12oz bottle with an expiration date of January, 2016. The bottle number is 022950350 and I poured it into a 12oz glass (pint shaped).
Appearance: golden color, semi-clear, with no head
Smell: toasty and herbal like
Taste: a bit hoppy and bitter
Mouth feel: crisp and light
Overall: Not a bad beer on a warm day. It's not heavy and it taste a little light but it does have a flavor (as opposed to light beer). Recommend this beer if you're going to an outdoor gathering in the summer time. Drinkable enough that you can have a few but recommend a different beer if you're trying to impress or bringing as a gift. Still, a good beer to have in your fridge for any guest who enjoys beer.
★ 710 characters
3.96/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark straw to light golden color, a bit darker than your typical Pilsner. I got a big foam head out of it with creamy lacing that retained throughout. Faint fruity aroma, slightly citric in the nose. The taste is malt forward, bready and has a clean grain feel. Well balanced; there is a combination of fruity sweet finish and slightly bitter hops. Although the sweetness generally prevails, the herbal hops are felt in the mouthfeel and in the aftertaste. Light and smooth, simple but flavorful. A nice Pilsner that is easy and refreshing to drink.
★ 557 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark straw to light golden color, a bit darker than your typical Pilsner. I got a big foam head out of it with creamy lacing that retained throughout. Faint fruity aroma, slightly citric in the nose. The taste is malt forward, bready and has a clean grain feel. Well balanced; there is a combination of fruity sweet finish and slightly bitter hops. Although the sweetness generally prevails, the herbal hops are felt in the mouthfeel and in the aftertaste. Light and smooth, simple but flavorful. A nice Pilsner that is easy and refreshing to drink.
★ 557 characters
3.03/5 rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pilsner is a beer I reach for when I don't want any surprises; this one didn't deliver any. Entirely competent, pleasant, easy-drinking beer, but I'm not likely to seek it out again (especially at $12 for a six-pack).
★ 217 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pilsner is a beer I reach for when I don't want any surprises; this one didn't deliver any. Entirely competent, pleasant, easy-drinking beer, but I'm not likely to seek it out again (especially at $12 for a six-pack).
★ 217 characters
4/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours to a nice permanent head and good lacing. Typical color for style. Aroma is clean grains and floral spicy hops. Slight bit of butter in nose. Flavor is clean and crisp and exactly what you expect. Good stuff.
★ 214 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours to a nice permanent head and good lacing. Typical color for style. Aroma is clean grains and floral spicy hops. Slight bit of butter in nose. Flavor is clean and crisp and exactly what you expect. Good stuff.
★ 214 characters
3.94/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The Mermaid Pils came out on early 2014. I generally like their beers. The pils has a great golden color. Great carbonation. Bubbles rising for quite a while after I poured. Average head that dissipates quickly. Slightly hoppy but not bitter. Brewed with following hops: Warrior, Tettnang, Amarillo, Centennial. There is slight hint of fruit aroma but very pale. A cold glass goes down very smooth.
Shmaltz Brewing launched the Coney beer brand in 2007. The original Coney Island Brewing Company launched in 2007 and was bought by a division of the Boston Beer Company in 2013. Owner Jeremy Cowan sold the label in 2013 to Alchemy & Science, a subsidiary of the Boston Beer Co., which makes Sam Adams. The beer is currently brewed upstate through a contract with the old owner, Shmaltz, in Clifton Park, NY. Plans to open a brewery in Coney Island.
★ 866 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The Mermaid Pils came out on early 2014. I generally like their beers. The pils has a great golden color. Great carbonation. Bubbles rising for quite a while after I poured. Average head that dissipates quickly. Slightly hoppy but not bitter. Brewed with following hops: Warrior, Tettnang, Amarillo, Centennial. There is slight hint of fruit aroma but very pale. A cold glass goes down very smooth.
Shmaltz Brewing launched the Coney beer brand in 2007. The original Coney Island Brewing Company launched in 2007 and was bought by a division of the Boston Beer Company in 2013. Owner Jeremy Cowan sold the label in 2013 to Alchemy & Science, a subsidiary of the Boston Beer Co., which makes Sam Adams. The beer is currently brewed upstate through a contract with the old owner, Shmaltz, in Clifton Park, NY. Plans to open a brewery in Coney Island.
★ 866 characters
4/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours brilliant gold into a pilsner glass producing a thin white foam collar. Light bread aromas and flavors in a crisp, dry effervescent beer. Very refreshing.
★ 160 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours brilliant gold into a pilsner glass producing a thin white foam collar. Light bread aromas and flavors in a crisp, dry effervescent beer. Very refreshing.
★ 160 characters
3.77/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From the 12 fl. oz. bottle the expires July 2015. Sampled on July 2, 2015. Just in the nick of time.
Yellow pour with a tremendous white foamy head. It looks like a Pilsener should.
The aroma is more subtle but I am getting pale malts, grass, farmland, and the slightest hint of crab apple.
Light or better body and simply refreshing.
Everything about this subtle. The taste brings out a nice pale German malt character with the toasty sweetness often accompanying Pilseners. Clean grassy finish. I could easily drink this in 80+ degree weather.
★ 552 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From the 12 fl. oz. bottle the expires July 2015. Sampled on July 2, 2015. Just in the nick of time.
Yellow pour with a tremendous white foamy head. It looks like a Pilsener should.
The aroma is more subtle but I am getting pale malts, grass, farmland, and the slightest hint of crab apple.
Light or better body and simply refreshing.
Everything about this subtle. The taste brings out a nice pale German malt character with the toasty sweetness often accompanying Pilseners. Clean grassy finish. I could easily drink this in 80+ degree weather.
★ 552 characters
3.09/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle, poured into glass. Yellow, bright white head. Not as hoppy as the label would lead you to believe, but easy drinking and the flavor is mild.
★ 156 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle, poured into glass. Yellow, bright white head. Not as hoppy as the label would lead you to believe, but easy drinking and the flavor is mild.
★ 156 characters
3.87/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap. Pours deep golden with fluffy, white head. Aroma is of grassy hops and biscuit malt. Body is medium and crisp. Herbal hops, spices and pale malt nicely balanced on the palate. Finish is long, dry and spicy. Excellent Pilz.
★ 235 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap. Pours deep golden with fluffy, white head. Aroma is of grassy hops and biscuit malt. Body is medium and crisp. Herbal hops, spices and pale malt nicely balanced on the palate. Finish is long, dry and spicy. Excellent Pilz.
★ 235 characters
3.91/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
It's no wonder they know how to brew in Brooklyn... The water (from the Adirondacks) is great too. This Pilsner is no exception, beats even 6 Point
A: Over a coppery golden body, the head returns and laces with a swirl.
S: A stand out: Summer board walk wood sun-baked, fresh hogie rolls, "submarines we call them", sand, tar, taffy. Ie, yeast, white flour bags, sweet backbone, and hoppy, almost salty tang.
T: Follows the smell - all its notes of candy taffy, board walk sun-baked cedar, tar, and salt - with plenty of hop finish. Loving it.
F: light, refreshing, great August beer.
Must try it. Found it at my ferry stop bodega, pretty bottle too.
★ 653 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
It's no wonder they know how to brew in Brooklyn... The water (from the Adirondacks) is great too. This Pilsner is no exception, beats even 6 Point
A: Over a coppery golden body, the head returns and laces with a swirl.
S: A stand out: Summer board walk wood sun-baked, fresh hogie rolls, "submarines we call them", sand, tar, taffy. Ie, yeast, white flour bags, sweet backbone, and hoppy, almost salty tang.
T: Follows the smell - all its notes of candy taffy, board walk sun-baked cedar, tar, and salt - with plenty of hop finish. Loving it.
F: light, refreshing, great August beer.
Must try it. Found it at my ferry stop bodega, pretty bottle too.
★ 653 characters
3.61/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Picked this up at a Fairway in New York recently, having never had this before. I wasn't aware that this was from Shmaltz as it said "Coney Island Brewing Company" on the bottle and the design was different than the one pictured on here. Regardless of that, this was nicely enjoyable while being light enough to go down easily, but a notch below the offerings from Victory and Troegs.
Nice pour to this, as this beer had a muted golden hue, frothy head, and left several firm and thin rings of lacing as I worked my way through this. Not a strong aroma at all but there was a strong herbal and grassy tone to this, which was a bit more muted in the taste. Crisp, with a slight metallic hop tone, this beer had a mild sharpness to it and a good amount of carbonation, which led it to go down relatively easily. This reminded me of the Southern Tier Hop Sun in the sense that there was a good balance here and this wasn't sour like some other examples of German Pilseners that I've had before.
The alcohol was light too that this would be a perfect session beer for these warmer months. There was just a hint of blood orange in the mothfeel, leading this to have a "wet" taste to it that lingered long after each sip was taken. Not overly complex, this was enjoyable without feeling watered-down. A good example of the style that just needed a bit more malty "bite" to bring it up to the next level.
★ 1,400 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Picked this up at a Fairway in New York recently, having never had this before. I wasn't aware that this was from Shmaltz as it said "Coney Island Brewing Company" on the bottle and the design was different than the one pictured on here. Regardless of that, this was nicely enjoyable while being light enough to go down easily, but a notch below the offerings from Victory and Troegs.
Nice pour to this, as this beer had a muted golden hue, frothy head, and left several firm and thin rings of lacing as I worked my way through this. Not a strong aroma at all but there was a strong herbal and grassy tone to this, which was a bit more muted in the taste. Crisp, with a slight metallic hop tone, this beer had a mild sharpness to it and a good amount of carbonation, which led it to go down relatively easily. This reminded me of the Southern Tier Hop Sun in the sense that there was a good balance here and this wasn't sour like some other examples of German Pilseners that I've had before.
The alcohol was light too that this would be a perfect session beer for these warmer months. There was just a hint of blood orange in the mothfeel, leading this to have a "wet" taste to it that lingered long after each sip was taken. Not overly complex, this was enjoyable without feeling watered-down. A good example of the style that just needed a bit more malty "bite" to bring it up to the next level.
★ 1,400 characters
3.24/5 rDev -11%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pilsners are not what I usually reach for but I find this one pleasant and easy to drink. Very light, faint flavors of hops and malt (nothing to really grab your attention) with a touch of sweetness and moderate carbonation. There's nothing spectacular going on here, but also this beer does not strike any wrong notes. Great beer for relaxing and not thinking too much about beer.
★ 381 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pilsners are not what I usually reach for but I find this one pleasant and easy to drink. Very light, faint flavors of hops and malt (nothing to really grab your attention) with a touch of sweetness and moderate carbonation. There's nothing spectacular going on here, but also this beer does not strike any wrong notes. Great beer for relaxing and not thinking too much about beer.
★ 381 characters
3.42/5 rDev -6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Enjoyed out of a 12 oz brown bottle with no discernible dating anywhere on the bottle or label. Poured into a tall 12 oz pilsener glass. Got my hands on this thanks to a beer of the month club.
Appearance - Pretty standard for the style. Clean and transparent golden brassy body topped with a finger and a half of sudsy foam that dissipates over a few minutes, leaving sticky but sparse lacing.
Smell - Predominantly notes of light malt, cracker and some faint hop bitterness, with an underlying--almost hidden--grassy element. I sense perhaps a hint of sweetness, like flower nectar, as well.
Taste - I'm a little let down compared to the clues I was getting from the aroma. Was hoping to detect more of the rye they use, but it's a barely noticeable spiciness (which could just as easily be the Amarillo hops) along with the much more predominant sourdough and cracker taste from the light malts. Again, a hint of sweetness comes through, but is quickly dismissed by the lightly bitter finish, with some vegetal and grass qualities.
Mouthfeel - Light body and moderate carbonation, with a slightly creamy feel and a mostly dry finish.
Overall, a decent take on the style, but one I'm not likely to rush out to find again. There are simply better versions available, both American-made and (obviously) German-made.
★ 1,320 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Enjoyed out of a 12 oz brown bottle with no discernible dating anywhere on the bottle or label. Poured into a tall 12 oz pilsener glass. Got my hands on this thanks to a beer of the month club.
Appearance - Pretty standard for the style. Clean and transparent golden brassy body topped with a finger and a half of sudsy foam that dissipates over a few minutes, leaving sticky but sparse lacing.
Smell - Predominantly notes of light malt, cracker and some faint hop bitterness, with an underlying--almost hidden--grassy element. I sense perhaps a hint of sweetness, like flower nectar, as well.
Taste - I'm a little let down compared to the clues I was getting from the aroma. Was hoping to detect more of the rye they use, but it's a barely noticeable spiciness (which could just as easily be the Amarillo hops) along with the much more predominant sourdough and cracker taste from the light malts. Again, a hint of sweetness comes through, but is quickly dismissed by the lightly bitter finish, with some vegetal and grass qualities.
Mouthfeel - Light body and moderate carbonation, with a slightly creamy feel and a mostly dry finish.
Overall, a decent take on the style, but one I'm not likely to rush out to find again. There are simply better versions available, both American-made and (obviously) German-made.
★ 1,320 characters
3.82/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap at Ruvo's, Port Jefferson NY. Good lasting foamy head, fairly dense. A mellow floral smell with ample malt and some grassiness in there. The flavor is especially alive with qualities more typical of an ale - some bready sweetness, some subtle hops. Not heavy at all though. The mouthfeel is wonderful on account of how well the flavors blend. Though this is a very distinct variation of a pilsener, the craftsmanship is just brilliant on its own terms. I couldn't recommend this more - a great, sessionable brew for any kind of weather.
★ 547 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap at Ruvo's, Port Jefferson NY. Good lasting foamy head, fairly dense. A mellow floral smell with ample malt and some grassiness in there. The flavor is especially alive with qualities more typical of an ale - some bready sweetness, some subtle hops. Not heavy at all though. The mouthfeel is wonderful on account of how well the flavors blend. Though this is a very distinct variation of a pilsener, the craftsmanship is just brilliant on its own terms. I couldn't recommend this more - a great, sessionable brew for any kind of weather.
★ 547 characters
3.82/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap at Sticks and Stones last night.Poured into a standard pint glass a clear light golden with a well defined one finger bone white head that lasted for quite awhile.Bready aromas with underlying floral hops,a bit of toastiness as well.Sturdy in the mouth with a hefty maltiness to it,light sharpness from the rye and lightly toasted bread flavors withjust a light shot of leafy hops in the finish.I liked this pils,to me it's a little more "beefy" than most of the style,quite interesting.
★ 498 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap at Sticks and Stones last night.Poured into a standard pint glass a clear light golden with a well defined one finger bone white head that lasted for quite awhile.Bready aromas with underlying floral hops,a bit of toastiness as well.Sturdy in the mouth with a hefty maltiness to it,light sharpness from the rye and lightly toasted bread flavors withjust a light shot of leafy hops in the finish.I liked this pils,to me it's a little more "beefy" than most of the style,quite interesting.
★ 498 characters
3.52/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.
I know when I think "pils", I think "mermaid"... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises flowers, sweetgrass, and a splash of honey. The taste brings in more of the same, with the grass allowed to express a bit of chlorophyll, and some mild citrus peel tossed in for good measure. The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly smooth feel. Overall, a nice pils, nothing to get worked up about, but an able choice if you're looking for a domestic example of the style.
★ 601 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.
I know when I think "pils", I think "mermaid"... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises flowers, sweetgrass, and a splash of honey. The taste brings in more of the same, with the grass allowed to express a bit of chlorophyll, and some mild citrus peel tossed in for good measure. The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly smooth feel. Overall, a nice pils, nothing to get worked up about, but an able choice if you're looking for a domestic example of the style.
★ 601 characters
3.42/5 rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Pours a clear, copper/gold color. 1/3 inch head of a white color. Good retention and slight lacing. Smells of sweet malt, pale malt, hops, hint of grass, and a hint of citrus, and a hint of caramel malt. Fits the style of a German Pilsner, but also has the body and aroma reminiscent of an ESB. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, caramel malt, slight pale malt, hint of grass, hint of floral, and slight hops. Overall, decent aroma and blend.
★ 495 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Pours a clear, copper/gold color. 1/3 inch head of a white color. Good retention and slight lacing. Smells of sweet malt, pale malt, hops, hint of grass, and a hint of citrus, and a hint of caramel malt. Fits the style of a German Pilsner, but also has the body and aroma reminiscent of an ESB. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, caramel malt, slight pale malt, hint of grass, hint of floral, and slight hops. Overall, decent aroma and blend.
★ 495 characters
Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner from Coney Island Brewing Company
3.64
out of 5
based on 321 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
On tap at T.G.I. Fridays in West Orange. Pours a clear, golden hue with ample frothing. Smell reminiscent of mellow pines and hops. Similar flavor profile with good drinkability. Decent, but nothing to write home about.
★ 219 characters