-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Emerson
Alpine Beer Company
- From:
- Alpine Beer Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- German Pilsner
- ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.89 | pDev: 9.77%
- Reviews:
- 41
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 09, 2017
- Added:
- Jun 17, 2005
- Wants:
- 2
- Gots:
- 3
Inspired by owner/brewer Pat McIllhenneys travels to New Zealand, this beer uses imported New Zealand organic hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by largadeer:
Reviewed by largadeer from California
4/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Growler from ArthurPendragon. Cheers.
The body is a hazy amber-gold, topped by two inches of lasting head.
There's quite a bit of musty white wine fruitiness on the nose, along with more earthy/grassy notes typical of the style and a touch of citrus fruit. A bready malt profile resides beneath. Quite hoppy for a pils, but it's not in the same league as Alpine's IPAs. The overall hop profile here is unique, definitely not traditional for the style.
The flavor profile is similar, with a lot of earthy, grassy hops supported by a fairly substantial but dry bready malt backbone. White wine grapes comes to mind again. There's a touch of citrus, a bit orange-like. The finish is dry, exhibiting a firm bitterness. Fairly full-bodied, this is somewhere between a traditional German pils and an American imperial pilsner/IPL.
Mar 24, 2011The body is a hazy amber-gold, topped by two inches of lasting head.
There's quite a bit of musty white wine fruitiness on the nose, along with more earthy/grassy notes typical of the style and a touch of citrus fruit. A bready malt profile resides beneath. Quite hoppy for a pils, but it's not in the same league as Alpine's IPAs. The overall hop profile here is unique, definitely not traditional for the style.
The flavor profile is similar, with a lot of earthy, grassy hops supported by a fairly substantial but dry bready malt backbone. White wine grapes comes to mind again. There's a touch of citrus, a bit orange-like. The finish is dry, exhibiting a firm bitterness. Fairly full-bodied, this is somewhere between a traditional German pils and an American imperial pilsner/IPL.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by BucannonXC5 from California
4.13/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Type: 32-oz. growler
Glass: Clear 15.25-oz. pilsner glass
From: Alpine Beer Company Tasting Room in Alpine, Calif.
Price: $7.50
Purchased: June 19, 2016
Consumed: June 19, 2016
Misc.: N/A
Had a taster of this the previous night and really liked it. Had never heard of it before, but it appeared to be first reviewed way back in 2005. Perfect for this 108-degree weather.
Poured a medium yellow, hazy color with two fingers of frothy, white head. Lots of bubble streams coming up from the bottom of the glass. World-class spiderweb lacing, great for a pilsner. Good-to-very good retention. (Sight - 4.25)
Smelled corn, hay, cereal, grass, green grapes, New Zealand dry hops, garbage, sulfur, and hints of dry pineapple, melon and stone fruit. (Smell - 3.75)
Taste is much better than the nose, getting Czech Saaz notes, specifically corn, hay, grass, honey, dry pineapple, dry green grapes, melon rind, cereal, sourdough bread and vegetables. Those New Zealand hops and hints of Galaxy are also among the tastes. This is very good. (Taste - 4.25)
Light body. Thin texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, grassy finish. (Feel - 4.25)
This was just a really good pilsner, perfect for this heat wave as well. Could drink this all day. Not quite as good as Pizza Port Pick Six, but close. (Overall - 4.25)
4.13 | 92 | A-
Jul 01, 2016Glass: Clear 15.25-oz. pilsner glass
From: Alpine Beer Company Tasting Room in Alpine, Calif.
Price: $7.50
Purchased: June 19, 2016
Consumed: June 19, 2016
Misc.: N/A
Had a taster of this the previous night and really liked it. Had never heard of it before, but it appeared to be first reviewed way back in 2005. Perfect for this 108-degree weather.
Poured a medium yellow, hazy color with two fingers of frothy, white head. Lots of bubble streams coming up from the bottom of the glass. World-class spiderweb lacing, great for a pilsner. Good-to-very good retention. (Sight - 4.25)
Smelled corn, hay, cereal, grass, green grapes, New Zealand dry hops, garbage, sulfur, and hints of dry pineapple, melon and stone fruit. (Smell - 3.75)
Taste is much better than the nose, getting Czech Saaz notes, specifically corn, hay, grass, honey, dry pineapple, dry green grapes, melon rind, cereal, sourdough bread and vegetables. Those New Zealand hops and hints of Galaxy are also among the tastes. This is very good. (Taste - 4.25)
Light body. Thin texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, grassy finish. (Feel - 4.25)
This was just a really good pilsner, perfect for this heat wave as well. Could drink this all day. Not quite as good as Pizza Port Pick Six, but close. (Overall - 4.25)
4.13 | 92 | A-
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
2.96/5 rDev -23.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
2.96/5 rDev -23.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Bright yellow pilsner, around 1/3" white head on it. Aroma was slightly Sorachi-esque, lemon, but understated hop aromas given the brewery.
Taste was just a lager brought too early, needed some clean up time still given the flavors I was coming across. I see why they retired this, just isn't economically feasible given the time it takes for these when they can crank out world class hoppy ales instead.
Mar 08, 2016Taste was just a lager brought too early, needed some clean up time still given the flavors I was coming across. I see why they retired this, just isn't economically feasible given the time it takes for these when they can crank out world class hoppy ales instead.
Reviewed by rand from California
3.65/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.65/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From bottle to Pilsner glass
A: Golden-yellow in color, forms a frothy 2-inch head in the pils glass, leaving patchy lacing everywhere. A surprising amount of suspended yeast swirls about.
S: Floral and effervescent - do I detect of hint of champagne? Yep, it's there...something with the combination of New Zealand hops and biscuity bottom-fermenting yeast is reminding me of the bubbly stuff, although I can't detect anything distinctly grape-like. A touch of sweet malts, unprocessed grains linger.
T: The hops distinguish this Pils and jump out in front, which are more floral than citrusy. Almost tastes wet-hopped. This is quickly met with a cracker-y middle, carrying a sweet multi-grain undertone. The floral hop snap highlights the sweet notes of the brew, in what is otherwise a traditionally dry style, but that sweetness lingers a bit at the finish.
M: Light to medium bodied, but seemingly more viscous than many Pilsners. Carbonation is more foamy than crisp and cleansing.
Damn tasty, and if you feel like a pils with some hop-forward layering, you could do a lot worse. But it's not the most harmoniously rounded flavor profile and needs to be a little more crisp. I'm all for coloring outside-the-lines when it comes to beer styles, but a Pilsner loses a few points if it isn't relatively dry and refreshing.
Nov 21, 2011A: Golden-yellow in color, forms a frothy 2-inch head in the pils glass, leaving patchy lacing everywhere. A surprising amount of suspended yeast swirls about.
S: Floral and effervescent - do I detect of hint of champagne? Yep, it's there...something with the combination of New Zealand hops and biscuity bottom-fermenting yeast is reminding me of the bubbly stuff, although I can't detect anything distinctly grape-like. A touch of sweet malts, unprocessed grains linger.
T: The hops distinguish this Pils and jump out in front, which are more floral than citrusy. Almost tastes wet-hopped. This is quickly met with a cracker-y middle, carrying a sweet multi-grain undertone. The floral hop snap highlights the sweet notes of the brew, in what is otherwise a traditionally dry style, but that sweetness lingers a bit at the finish.
M: Light to medium bodied, but seemingly more viscous than many Pilsners. Carbonation is more foamy than crisp and cleansing.
Damn tasty, and if you feel like a pils with some hop-forward layering, you could do a lot worse. But it's not the most harmoniously rounded flavor profile and needs to be a little more crisp. I'm all for coloring outside-the-lines when it comes to beer styles, but a Pilsner loses a few points if it isn't relatively dry and refreshing.
Reviewed by Dreadnaught33 from District of Columbia
3.65/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.65/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had this bottle a while back, just found notes.
A: Small bubbly head dies to nothing but a ring. A golden hued and semi clear beer.
S: Smells nice with a great dry hop presence typical of Alpine. Some sunflower seeds and grainy malts basically make up the malt profile, pretty solid aroma.
T: Has a lager like grainy bready malt base with some crisp dry grass hops. Some savory meat like tastes run over the palate and are tempered/disguised by lemon grass and more clean malts. Interesting.
M: Crisp and medium, a little spicy, nothing special.
O: Wasn't crazy about this but it is a good beer.
Oct 09, 2011A: Small bubbly head dies to nothing but a ring. A golden hued and semi clear beer.
S: Smells nice with a great dry hop presence typical of Alpine. Some sunflower seeds and grainy malts basically make up the malt profile, pretty solid aroma.
T: Has a lager like grainy bready malt base with some crisp dry grass hops. Some savory meat like tastes run over the palate and are tempered/disguised by lemon grass and more clean malts. Interesting.
M: Crisp and medium, a little spicy, nothing special.
O: Wasn't crazy about this but it is a good beer.
Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland
3.92/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle shared by Dan, thanks. At the time of this review, this beer is #35 on the Top Beers - German Pilsner list on beeradvocate.com. I really enjoyed this beer but seemed to be the only one, served in a Bruery tulip.
Beer is yellow with a mild haze, lazy wispy white head, small bubbles, low retention, some lacing, low carbonation.
Aroma is sweet pilsen malt and some mild piny hop / earthy hop aroma, smells wet.
Beer is medium to light in body, moderately bitter on the finish, wet and watery in the front, decent mouthfeel and a nice finish. I had a second pour of this, I enjoyed it a lot.
Oct 04, 2011Beer is yellow with a mild haze, lazy wispy white head, small bubbles, low retention, some lacing, low carbonation.
Aroma is sweet pilsen malt and some mild piny hop / earthy hop aroma, smells wet.
Beer is medium to light in body, moderately bitter on the finish, wet and watery in the front, decent mouthfeel and a nice finish. I had a second pour of this, I enjoyed it a lot.
Reviewed by mdfb79 from New York
3.7/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.7/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
From 010/02/11 notes. Poured into my Bell's tulip.
a - Pours a somewhat hazy pale yellow color with one finger of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident.
s - Smells of crisp floral hops, grapefruit, citrus, bready malts, and grains.
t - Tastes of bready malts and grain up front, follow by very light floral hops. Not much citrus like the nose, and the grain is dominant. A step down from the nose.
m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Crisp and easy to drink.
o - Overall a decent pilsener. I liked the citrus and floral hops in the nose, and wished they would have come through more in the taste. Worth checking out and would give another shot.
Oct 03, 2011a - Pours a somewhat hazy pale yellow color with one finger of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident.
s - Smells of crisp floral hops, grapefruit, citrus, bready malts, and grains.
t - Tastes of bready malts and grain up front, follow by very light floral hops. Not much citrus like the nose, and the grain is dominant. A step down from the nose.
m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Crisp and easy to drink.
o - Overall a decent pilsener. I liked the citrus and floral hops in the nose, and wished they would have come through more in the taste. Worth checking out and would give another shot.
Reviewed by Huhzubendah from District of Columbia
3.23/5 rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.23/5 rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Bottle shared by mdfb79. Thanks Dan.
The beer is yellow and mildly hazy, with a thick, white head that leaves ample lacing on the glass. The aroma is really floral, with light spice and hop notes. Unusual for the style, though not totally unappealing. The flavor is odd, overly floral, and not what comes to mind when I consider the style. Still somewhat enjoyable, though not up to Alpine standards. This one needs improvement.
Oct 02, 2011The beer is yellow and mildly hazy, with a thick, white head that leaves ample lacing on the glass. The aroma is really floral, with light spice and hop notes. Unusual for the style, though not totally unappealing. The flavor is odd, overly floral, and not what comes to mind when I consider the style. Still somewhat enjoyable, though not up to Alpine standards. This one needs improvement.
Reviewed by ibbjamin from California
3.68/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.68/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up a bomber from Perry's in Livermore and pour into my Beck's stange to review.
White and very yellow beery looking head of about an inch in height. Transparent and yellow in color.
Grassy hops and pale malts scream hoppy pils to me in good fashion. Some lemony citrus comes into play.
Taste is of hop forward pils, bordering on pale ale to me.
Smooth, easy drinking, light to medium body, good carbonation.
My second offering from Alpine and yet again, the hype has not lived up to the taste for me. But I have not thrown in the towel yet, they have several others I want to try first.
Sep 10, 2011White and very yellow beery looking head of about an inch in height. Transparent and yellow in color.
Grassy hops and pale malts scream hoppy pils to me in good fashion. Some lemony citrus comes into play.
Taste is of hop forward pils, bordering on pale ale to me.
Smooth, easy drinking, light to medium body, good carbonation.
My second offering from Alpine and yet again, the hype has not lived up to the taste for me. But I have not thrown in the towel yet, they have several others I want to try first.
Emerson from Alpine Beer Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
52 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!