Pils
Pike Brewing Company

 

 

 

Light golden color with good cap and lacing.

Aroma of sweet, rich grain with herbal/floral spicy hops.

Malt/grain flavors first, with just a tinge of sweetness, but hops play a meaty supporting role. The hops don't have that floral spicy character of the Noble varieties, rather this one displays a hop firmness with an herbal undertone. I quite like it, both for the flavors and the sophisticated complexity. The hop firmness reminds me more of a Dortmunder than a Pils but hey, whatever the brewer want's to call it is fine by me because this is a good one.

Medium full texture with balancing carbonation. Who says low ABV beers can't have body.

This one sings a simple tune colored by exciting subtle variations.

Draft: Poured a clear yellow color pils with a nice pure white foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of clean cereal notes with light herbal hops notes is enticing. Taste is a good mix of light herbal notes with some clean cereal notes with subtle residual sugar notes. Body is about average for style with good carbonation. Nice refreshing pils with clean finish.

 

Golden yellow color with long-lasting white foam in the tall Blanche de Chambly glass. Hops are listed as Centennial in the boil with whole leaf Mosaic. How do they get that hint of skunk that is so characteristic of European lagers? Here it's quite pleasantly aromatic.

There's an intriguing honey note, some Cream of Wheat cereal taste, and that crisp finish. Adding to the drinkability, it's not very bitter. The hops are more aromatic rather than perfumey, as is often the case with Pilsner-like brews. At a modest alcohol level (Utah supermarket strength) it's remarkably flavorful and satisfying.

This is a nice surprise from Pike, a delightfully fragrant light beer and as good an American version of a Pilsner I can think of. If PIke decided to make a foray into tall cans, this would be the brew. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Haggen Market.