Zlaty
Diamondback Brewing Co.

 

This is actually a Kellerbier. We did a taste test between this one and Monument's Keller Pils and 2SPils by 2SP Brewery. Actually, Monument comes out on the top, with a crisper feel, although still hazy, and some other pleasing accents like citrus in addition to the usual "grassy" of a Kellerbier, however. So have to keep the numbers here to 4.25; it still ties with the 2SP, however. They're all good.

Can (no date despite "drink fresh" request):
The pour is nice and hazy as it splashes in the tall glass I used, though haze cleared up from pour to resting beer to warming beer (ends in a moderate to light haze). Head built up nicely in the pipe of the glass, with streaks remaining as I let the head settle so I can get my other senses involved.

I sniff out a mostly bready, slightly grainy malt profile that is joined by hints of grass, herbs, and apple. Deeper whiffs give a light hint of musty wood - although I don't think this was conditioned with any wood whatsoever. A warmer beer has a little bit of honey included with the bread notes.

Feel is pretty smooth and mellow - very nice! The beer opens with the Pilsner malt and the lightest tinge of lemon zest. The apple and light wood mustiness of the nose comes in next, though there's more of a grain husk lean to the latter. A mix of grass and light herbs (maybe some parsley) come next, gaining some peppery notes (thinking watercress or arugula). The malt supports these hop notes with a little bit of a heavy hand (a touch of honey accentuates this with warmth). The end bitterness has a leafy pepperiness smoothed out by this maltiness - although I'm a bit surprised that this combination seems to help lead me into another sip.

My first sips of this, I was really enjoying it. Digging into it more I couldn't pick out anything in particular that I liked. I think it's the feel and the subtilty of the flavors - flavors that are fairly close to expectations even if they have fuzzy edges fading into each other - and ending on a proper note.

Poured from the can into a Libbey style pilsner glass.

Real frothy and almost champagne like foamy bubbles cascading nicely with a big bright white appearance. Some real good retention and lacing, sitting on a bright light brass yellow body color, with fine reams of linear carbonation. Great looking lager.

Real nice nose as the impressions are still very good. Soft sensing malts, almost a sweet bakery bready quality, mixing light herbal hop and a clean sensation. Nice mix of chewy malt to sink your teeth into.

Palate is a real nice treat. Chewy depth, but also a little hint of light honey and syrup body, but luckily not too sugary either. Real nice pleasant flavors, of soft malt bakery bread, white crust, sweet bread dough, and a faint touch of hop finish. There's a bit of counter sweetness which is nice, almost gets honey like, but tends to sweeten things up just a little on the sugary side, and creating a nearly syrup flavor.

Pretty fun lager to still drink though, very enjoyable.

16 ounce can poured into a Pilsner glass.

Pale straw @3/4 SRM, almost clear, the white fluffy head isn't that big, only one finger but is continually replenished by a steady stream of rising bubbles and leaves some spots of lace. The nose is subdued, light grassy and floral hops along side of bready malt. The taste is similar but more pronounced, green grassy and dry fruity hops with light bread and a touch of corn. Moderate hop bitterness builds a bit for a grassy bitter finish that lingers a little. The body is dry, crisp and light, carbonation is medium-high.
While I am still trying to get a good grasp of the Bohemian style, I can say that this is a pretty good Pilsner. I have enjoyed a few four packs of this as well as a few draft pours at the brewery and I have never been disappointed.

Pours a golden color with a very slight cloudiness to it - to style for an unfiltered pilsner. The head is two fingers high and white in shade, while the texture is very fluffy as well. Patches of lacing stick to the glass. The aroma is about what I expected - zesty, grassy hops balanced by a slight, bready sweetness. I find the aroma to be simple but effective in general. Meanwhile, the flavor profile is quite surprising compared with the nose (in a good way!) It opens up with a mild grassy bite, and that builds towards a flourish of fruity flavors - peach, apricot, and apple come to mind for me personally. A light breadiness hangs around from start to finish. This is not the most complex beer ever...but it's a pilsner. It's supposed to be simple but effective. While not perfectly harmonious, all the flavors here are well balanced. It feels crisp and zesty on the palate, without having to rely on overzealous carbonation to achieve its easy drinking nature. The finish is ultimately off-dry, leaving a long, lingering grassy flavor. As a huge fan of Pilsner Urquell and Czech-style pilsners in particular, this one really satisfied that craving. The unfiltered nature gave it a touch (albeit just a touch) more depth than normal, while keeping the crisp, light nature I expect in tact. I'd definitely recommend this one!