Polaris Pilsner
Chainline Brewing Company

I had this beer on-tap in a half-liter Czech-style dimpled mug at the brewery in Kirkland.

Appearance: medium golden hue with a dash of haze and a thick head of creamy ivory foam. Nice!

Smell: a nice malt aroma with a distinct yeastiness. Just what I’m looking for in the style.

Taste: a little sweet and a little grainy, with that good yeast character and a crisp hop bite. I dig it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a nicely integrated carbonation and a good creaminess.

Overall: really solid, crisp and drinkable pilsner. Great!

 

 

This was the last beer that I picked up at the Total Wine in Puyallup, Washington when I was out that way a few months back. Liked the label as the bear on it was a reference to Polaris, but the liquid inside of the can wasn't anything to scoff at either. Indeed, if you like this style, this would be something to obtain as it was a lovely take on it!

No surprise that this poured golden as it was waxy and topped off with a moderate, offsetting white head Not a lot of lacing left behind as there were hints of rings and columns, without anything being particularly well-defined. Floral, herbal, and grassy notes were in the nose as the taste contained all of those along with an underlying dankness with bread and biscuit to round out the taste. Balanced, full, and softly slick, this had a light carbonation and hints of tangy orange and mint that kept this lively. Combined with the hue, this was a German Pilsner that almost felt like an American Pale Ale.

Part of that had to do with the alcohol, as this felt just a tad stronger than it was in actuality. Grain and grass lingered in the aftertaste as I easily could have had another in a session. Part of that had to do with how well this held up over time, as it was canned on 3/2. If there was such a thing as an "American Pilsner", this would be a great example of it since it wasn't quite like it's European counterparts. Lots to like here as this would be sure to please many!

draught
Very thick and meringue like head. Clear, medium light gold look. Faint, floral hop and lightly toasted malt aroma. Moderate amount of herbal/floral hops, combined with light toasted barley malt, for the main taste. This has a very light hop bite. Nice and balanced, mellow finish.

tasty and interesting take...served in a little chalice on tap at Rainier Growlers. Decent head, but for the style, a little disappointing. Beautiful dull gold color, but a bit cloudy. Nose is a bit faint but on the tongue, lots of flavor: nice grainy malt and wet herbal hops. Kind of a wet and chewy mouthful, for the style, but it tastes fresh and flavorful. Touch of sour twang on the finish. I’m digging it.

 

Poured into a Pilsner glass from a growler. Pours a light golden amber with a thin white head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of grainy biscuit malt, grassy, lightly floral hops. Flavor is biscuit malt with mixed grains, grassy, lightly floral hops with a hint of mint; finish is dry biscuit with lingering grassy hop bitterness. Medium bodied with a light creaminess. A brewed to style German pilsner with the expected biscuity malt and European style hops with a bit more herbal, minty character presumably from the Polaris hops used. Assertive hopping appropriate for a pilsner and well supported by the malt. Hops are fresher tasting and more herbal than an equivalent German pils as this is much fresher. I had a great evening sipping on this nicely made pilsner.