Engel Pilsner
Crailsheimer Engelbräu

This poured a somewhat watery-looking pale gold, with a small white head. Not much going on in the nose but mild grassy hops. The taste was surprisingly good, with a very little bit of malt and more of the grassy taste, mixed with a dry almost acrid metal taste, but nothing that I disliked. The carbonation and balance between mild grassy hops and very subtle sweetness made this a pretty enjoyable beer. Finished clean and crisp. I'd order another for sure.

Comes in a tall brown half-liter bottle with a stout neck and a fairly plain label featuring a portrait of "G. Fach," who must have founded the brewery. Purity law in effect. Best before 5/04, I opened it on 11/10/03.

Pours a slightly orangish clear gold under a fairly substantial white head that settles too quickly to film. This head manages to muster one lace ring. The nose is very weak, with just the faintest hint of hops. The mouth is light and prickly, with just a bit of metallic twang to it. The taste picks up on this metallic note, which neither the malt nor hops are strong enough to mask completely. There's little finish and even less aftertaste. This brew is a disappointment.