Sespe Pils
Topa Topa Brewing

Smells really good. Smells full and fresh, citrusy and hoppy. The taste is a bit of a letdown, but it’s solid. Tastes like lemon with lime zest, flowers, stems, and grass. There’s a pithy taste which they describe as “melon rind.” There’s a slight hoppy zest of spice and pine. The problem is it’s kinda watery. It tastes fresh and green and unripe. Kinda one-dimensional. It tastes stunted. They say they want it to taste like spring. It tastes like spring hasn’t fully bloomed yet. This green flavor enters the mouth and doesn’t go anywhere. Looks, smells, and feels like a quality Pilsner. The taste is a bit above average, but not doing enough for me.

 

 

Type: 12-oz. can
Reviewed as: German Pilsner
Glass: Jelly jar
Price: $8.99 for a 6-pack
From: Trader Joe’s in Santa Barbara (Milpas St.), Calif.
Purchased: June 12, 2020
Consumed: June 12, 2020
Misc.: Canned on May 20, 2020

Picked this up at a Trader Joe’s in Santa Barbara. Was looking for a pilsner or lager so this fit the bill. Couldn’t really find any beer description for it as much as I looked.

Poured a medium yellow clear color with 2-to-3 fingers of off-white frothy head. Could see some fast moving bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass. World-class foamy retention. Outstanding retention. (Sight - 4.25)

Smelled Noble hops, grass, white bread, sweet grain and cracker. About the same from the can. (Smell - 3.75)

Tasted about the same as the smell, maybe better. Got Noble hops, white bread, sweet grain, grass, cracker and cereal. (Taste - 4.00)

Light body. Oily texture. Lively carbonation. Long, dry finish. (Feel - 4.25)

This one grew on me a lot. Outstanding. (Overall - 4.00)

3.98 | 89 | B+