Persephone Imperial Pilsner
Grand Teton Brewing Co.

Persephone Imperial PilsnerPersephone Imperial Pilsner
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From:
Grand Teton Brewing Co.
 
Idaho, United States
Style:
Imperial Pilsner
ABV:
8.76%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.06 | pDev: 9.85%
Reviews:
50
Ratings:
67
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 31, 2016
Added:
Jan 13, 2011
Wants:
  8
Gots:
  4
Persephone (pur-seff-uh-knee) Imperial Pilsner was brewed with one foot in the past and one in the present. We started by creating this beer in the German style, an offshoot of the original pilsner that features German noble hops and a lighter, crisper body than its Czech counterpart. We used a blend of domestic Idaho 2-row barley and imported German malts as well as German Hersbrucker hops for flavor and aroma. We then took a leap forward by making this brew twice the strength of a traditional pilsner (8.76% alcohol by volume), with a big hop flavor to match.

After fermentation using a German lager strain, we conditioned this brew for two months at freezing temperatures. This maturation process is known as lagering (from the German meaning “to store”) and the process lends its name to the broad category of beer known as lager. This long lagering period is essential to create the smooth and well-rounded flavor expected from a pilsner. We present this beer in the German kellerbier tradition, where beer is brought to the consumer without filtration or pasteurization, and recommend serving it at 40 degrees in a traditional pilsner glass.

Persephone Imperial Pilsner pours a pale, glowing yellow with a bright white and frothy head. A light aroma of dried hay lifts from the glass, but the flavor is marked by soft mint flavors with sherbet-like overtones. A strong, resinous bitterness lingers on and on, blending into each new sip and providing a strong backbone for this brew. Persephone features a light body, but softer and rounder than the mass-produced versions of this style.

70 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Mora2000:
Photo of Mora2000
Reviewed by Mora2000 from Texas

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to someone for sharing this bottle, I think it may have been thirdeye11.

The beer pours a clear yellow color with a white head. The aroma is full of pilsner malt with some grass and earth from the hops. I also get some sugar notes which makes the beer smell sweeter than I expected.

The flavor is fairly sweet. I get a lot of the basic pilsner malt along with some grass from the hops. The bitterness is fairly low, making the beer sweet. The alcohol is well hidden.

Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
Oct 31, 2011
More User Ratings:
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.57/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Yellow, substantial haze for style, prolly from all the hops. Aroma hit those lemon like Sorachi notes from a noble hop. Nothing lager-esque about it aroma wise other than the hops chosen.

Lots of carbonation, lemon and tartness up front. Lots of bitterness. Price is a little much ($10/bottle).

Good, but I'd rather have a 6 pack of trumer pils, pilsner urquell etc. . .
Mar 31, 2016
Photo of Wasatch
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750ml Bottle
2011 Vintage (Jan 19, 2011)
Foil Seal/Capped
Bottle Conditioned

Almost 5 years on this brew!

Poured into a chalice a very nice slightly cloudy golden dark yellow color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice small off-white head, which leaves a very nice medium size island in the glass, with some nice sticky lacing as well. The nose is malty, a very nice yeast note, kinda grassy, slight hop. The taste is pretty nice malty, nice yeast note, slight licorice, very nice sweetness. Medium body, a pretty complex brew, quite different for this style, really no spiceness, well at least the hottness this style usually has. This brew does not really have this going on, so I like it better, maybe. ABV is hidden pretty well, with a nice bitter finish. Overall, this is a very nice brew. Funny thing is the store I picked this one up at has a few bottles left of it, and also other Cellar Reserve, with some age on them. Definitely Recommended!
Nov 22, 2015
Photo of pat61
Reviewed by pat61 from Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +17%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
A: hazy amber with 2” white rocky foam head that dissipates to a thick film.
S: Rich grainy malt, white bread, spice.
T: rich malt with a slight sweetness joined by light fruit with a spicy hop accent of the finish. F: Full body with above average carbonation.
O: A big, refreshing pilsner. they should brew this again.
Apr 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by wethorseblanket from California

Apr 09, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by a77cj7 from South Dakota

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by GClarkage from California

Jul 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by afsdan from Colorado

May 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Fitze from South Carolina

May 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaydoc from Kansas

Nov 23, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by scruffwhor from Illinois

Jul 27, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois

Jun 19, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by millelacsmark from Minnesota

Jan 02, 2013
Photo of TheRealBigC
Reviewed by TheRealBigC from Nevada

3.92/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Snatched one of these before it was too late. Pours a really cloudy golden color with a strong bready aroma. The alcohol is present along with the malts. Not too much hop in it. So it's not crisp, but it is a unique taste that's pleasing enough. I can't help but feel that the imperial pilsener is often a good in theory, not as good in practice style, but it's nice to try on occasion.
Jul 28, 2012
Photo of Gavage
Reviewed by Gavage from Nevada

3.58/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: pours a cloudy yellowish orange color with a one finger head that lasts a long time. Nice lace paints the glass.

Smell: biscuit and malt aroma is mild but pleasant.

Taste: grass, malt, some green apples, a decent bitterness, and a moderate alcohol tone.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Lightly crisp throughout. Short lived aftertaste. Mildly refreshing.

Overall: a decent big pilsner, but one glass was more than enough in a session.
May 30, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by ccozzi from Colorado

May 30, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by doucmehu from Oregon

Mar 29, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by elos from California

Mar 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by imperialking from Illinois

Feb 21, 2012
Photo of climax
Reviewed by climax from Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Sampled a year after the brewed on date, it pours a murky golden tangerine orange. The frothy bright white head is quick to form, and fades lazily leaving thick curtains of lace. Good start.

The nose defines complexity; blending sweet, tart, and spicy in a pleasant balanced package. Pithy orange and lemon zest deliver on the hop side of things. Faint notes of yeast, apple cider, and honey add to the awesomeness. All the while, alcohol sneaks nearly undetected in the background.

Although I'm sampling this after when GT recommends, the hops still deliver solid bitterness. Considering it's 70 IBUs; the tangerine and herbal flavors have probably faded a bit, but they still a offer fresh bold presence in the overall character. The balance has not been sacrificed. Spice continues to tickle the cheeks from beginning to finish, while sweet fermented fruit and diacetyl keep things in harmony. A slight grape wine-like finish and a slightly dry finish rounds it out.

This is brutally easy to drink, in fact it's dangerous. Light body, slick feel, mild carbonation.... pace yourself! I would like to try this fresh, yet I found this at the store 10 months past the brew date, and I'm pleasantly surprised.
Feb 19, 2012
Persephone Imperial Pilsner from Grand Teton Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 67 ratings