Tartu Pilsner
Pühaste Brewery

Copenhagen 5/11 2021. 33 cl can from Meny, Østerfælled Torv, Kbh. Ø. Water color of a white bridge across a river where a ship is sailing. But underneath the water a fish is traveling by bicycle.

Pours slightly unclear yellow with a mid-sized white head. Stable. Settles as a thin, almost transparent layer of foam struggling to cover the surface of the beer. Substantial lacing.

Aroma is medium intense with a sweet malty odor mingling with citrus notes. Pale sweet malts, fresh grass, lemon and citrus. Hints of arm sweat as the beer warms up.

Light carbonation. Thin, watery, lightly tingling texture.

Flavor is medium intense with a medium strong sweetness followed by a slightly stronger bitterness. Aftertaste is bitter. Lingers for a bit. Finish is semi-dry.

Solid if not outstanding.

 

Pours a slightly cloudy pale golden coloration with a medium, frothy head and slightly visible carbonation. Smells of doughy malt and grassy hops, with just a hint of spice and gooseberry coming through as well. Taste is a great balance of doughy, slightly grainy malt and grassy, herbal, spicy, slightly fruity hops, with hints of gooseberry and peppery spice. Finishes with a medium bitterness and some grassy, herbal hops and hints of peppery spice lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and medium/strong carbonation.

This makes for a very nice, crisp and clean traditional Pilsner that does not cross over into IPL territory at all, with a great, mellow balance of malt and hops. While there is just a hint of fruitiness to this the hop profile is clearly dominated by grassy, herbal and spicy notes, with a good bitterness in the finish, while I particularly enjoyed the spicy accents here. Overall, a very well-made, refreshing and easy-drinking example of the style.