Church Street Pils
Church Street Brewing Company

 

In early July of 2023 I happened to meet the CS brewery rep (shout-out to Don B.) at my local Binny's. We were talking German-style lagers with the beer department guy and I mentioned Maibock and Märzen were my favorites.

The CS rep then gifted me a mixed 4-pack of their beers -- even after I admitted trying them (far) in the past and not being inclined to try them again since.

So here's my third (second was a re-review of the Helles -- see my updated review from almost a decade ago) of 4 focused, honest reviews with no influence by free beer.

Tasted on 7-12-23. Best by 03-02-24. 5.1 ABV on this can.

L -- Pours a clear, deep gold with a firm, but shallow, white head.

S -- Good spicy Saaz hops and doughy malts. Light DMS back.

T -- Spicy to slightly harsh -- near to solvent, hops up front. Bready malts fight a good fight to be recognized, but that bitter, solvent character wins out in the finish and aftertaste.

F -- Mouthfeel is soft to dry with a light-medium body.

O -- The nose almost had me on this one, but that harsh hop note is a little too distracting to reach for a second can.

 

Bright brassy gold, sharp clarity, two fingers of foam dwindles to a skim with lasting coverage. Flecks of spotty suds around the glass.

Soft aroma, mild yeast and pilsner malt, very subtle.

Taste is crackery, mild almond flour, fruity apple and pear esters. Light feel, mellow carb after a slow pour. Light herbal bitterness in the finish, bittersweet up front. Nice and well balanced, would drink again.

Clear golden body with a large eggshell white head and gorgeous thick lacing. Super bready nose with grains, old world hops, and sweeter lager malt. Taste is a clone, good balance between the bread, grassy old world hops and grains in particular. Feel is full yet crushably light, crisp, clean, and bready. A breadier but above average german pils

 

 

 

Poured from a can into a pint glass. Pours yellow orange with a small white head. Smells of cereal grain, better than most mass produced beers. Tastes of sweet cereal grain with some fruit notes. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, a very good beer.