Crosby Hop Farm Sterling Pils
Matchless Brewing

Very foamy clear amber brew in the narrow-waisted IPA glass. Sudsy mouthfeel with a crisp edge along with a more sweet malt profile than typical. Very likable, though, for a less austere kind of Pilsner. Hints of orange marmalade, alfalfa, and iced tea.

The aroma is wonderful. Floral yet fruity, with some pineapple. The Sterling hop does seem like an improvement on the old-school Euro hops. Slightly bitter in a well-balanced Pilsner style. This is yet another interesting beer from Matchless that seems better than average for the style. From the 16 oz can purchased at Elizabeth Station.

16oz can (dated 9/24/18) poured into 14oz tulip. Poured a solidly murky dark orange color, nothing remotely Pilsner looking about it. An accidentally over-aggressive pour netted me over two inches of of off-white head, (not the bright, clean white we expect) that had very good retention and lacing.

The aroma had very light grains, and a mildly funky (think musty, or molding leaves) hop scent. I'm not overly familiar with Sterling, so maybe that's an attribute of the hop? Similar on the tongue, with the hops showing some floral, vegetal, and very slight citrus notes.

The body was thicker, fuller, and stickier than is expected. There was a mildly sweet finish. drinkability was fine, but i don't see having two of these, let alone two in a row. Overall, an enjoyable enough brew, but I would never consider it a Pilsner. I would likely rate it higher under a different style, perhaps American pale lager?

Great beer, crisp, doesn't come across as a pale ale at all. Maltiness is clean but not sweet or cloying. The hops really sing, but aren't dank or oily, spicy and floral actually. If I had noticed the cans for sale I would have brought home some for the pham.

 

 

Slightly hazy, light amber in color. Aroma is biscuit malt and earthy notes. Hints of citrus, lemongrass, and herbs. The flavor is resinous and hop forward. Citrus and spice. Medium bodied, clean finish. A bit of hops bitterness in the aftertaste. A decent beer overall.

Can dated 100417 into a pilsner glass. Poured a dirty bronze with a finger of high density white head with limited retention (though never fully dissipates) and left sporadic lacing. Nose was mostly tart citrus, then slight earthiness, and biscuit undertones. Taste was far more dynamic, and followed the nose well, some spicyness that's not on the nose. Finishes with moderate bitterness and slight astringency, bitterness lingers. Medium bodied with higher carbonation. Very interesting beer, for being a both wet hop and pilsner its definitely interesting, but lacks the crisp finish of the pilsner style and finishes more like a wet hop APA. I'd drink it again.