Schell's Fresh Hop 2015 Citra Pils
August Schell Brewing Company

 

The hop profile in this beer is really outstanding. They use freshly picked hops, put right into the beer (not added to cook at the end) before its finally bottled (not sure if they're added after its done fermenting or just before fermenting starts). Of the hop profile, think less of the west-coast piney, citrusy variety and more of an earthy-bitter-plant tone with some citrus at the end. As with all Schell's beers, it has a grand refreshing quality to it.

 

 

Pours a golden color, with a small white head, and a lot of visible carbonation. Looks like the quintessential pilsner.

Smells of white grapes, pears, grass, desert bread, with notes of citrus. This was a quite nostalgic smell to me as it reminded me of the Scandinavian pear ciders of my youth. Not a complex scent, but it felt like it was crafted with a vision.

Taste is similar to the smell, yet less sweet and with a slightly more bitter undertone. The grass and herbal tones are also emphasized heavier in the taste. Carbonation is kept at minimum, and feel is generally dry.

White head. Golden color.

the hops have faded and it just tastes like a normal Pilsner. It is still hoppier than most but not as close to what the stag series version was.

 

12oz bottle. Poured out a clear, straw-yellow color with a small, white head of foam. It smelled of toasted caramel, citrus and grasses. Sweet caramel with a hint of citrus. Mild bitter finish.

 

 

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a chalice.

Appearance: Pours a bright golden orange with a moderate amount of bubbles. About a finger of white head that settles into a thin patchy layer.

Smell: A crisp, juicy, and bready aroma with a scent of citrus hops and biscuit. Good scent of citrus hops with hints of orange, grapefruit, lemon, and melon. Some grassy hop hints as well. Solid malt balance with hints of biscuit, cracker, grains, and lager yeast. A pretty solid aroma.

Taste: Like it smells, a crisp, juicy, and bready balance of citrus hops and biscuit malt. Nice juicy taste of citrus with notes of orange peel, grapefruit, melon, and lemon. Some grassy and floral hop notes. Pale malt with bready notes of cracker, biscuit, grains, and lager yeast. A really nice taste.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Crisp, juicy, and smooth with a drying finish.

Overall: A pretty nice twist on a Pilsner. Nice citrus hop presence that is balanced well with the crisp malt.

On-tap at Three Cellars, Franklin, WI:

Pours light golden with a thin lasting head that leaves lacing.

The smell is of floral and citric notes with a bready backing.

The taste is of citrus fruits and floral notes -hop presence really stands out. A firm grainy/bready malt backing makes is smooth and balances the bitterness. Finishes clean and crisp.

An interesting take on a pils. A hop-forward pilsener that works well. If you enjoy beers with noticeable Citra hop character (as I do) I do recommend it! Hoppy, yet finishes clean and crisp as a pils should.

 

 

 

Appearance: Light yellow, good head.

Smell: Grainy, a little bit of fruitness.

Taste: Grainy/bready malt, tingly grassy hops and a little more fruit than the standard pils.

Overall: I like Schell's pilsner experiments, though both this and the Stag Series Citra Pils didn't really wow me. Seems like the citra just doesn't make of big of an impression in a pilsner than an IPA. Still a tasty beer.

Poured 12oz bottle into Pils glass. Color is a clear light yellow with a pillowy 3 finger white head. Excellent retention and perfect lines of webbed lacing on glass. Big floral, spicy hop presence along with a very clean malt scent. Some grain and citrus notes. For a Pils this one starts off with the hops. Bold with a green floral and spicy citrus taste. A very clean, cracker malt with grains finish this off. Well carbonated and quite dry for a Pils. Very crisp and refreshing. The citra hops are more green and citrus than you would expect for this style and I like it.