Clever Kiwi
Burgeon Beer Company

On-draught @ the brewpub:

C+ / ABOVE AVERAGE

On tap at the oasis location.
For a Pilsner it’s slightly on the opaque side. Decent size head that leaves some clumpy lacing. Good retention
Nose presents Nelson in a very favoring light. Full disclosure, Nelson hops often go sideways for me.
Not here. Some gentle, white wine notes, some hints of juniper and maybe mint. With an overall floral delivery.
Flavor follows his nose. A mild cracky grain note is also picked up. But definitely a bright, lightly fruity, minus the cat piss that often raises his head for me with Nelson.

This is a very good Pilsner, The twist is that it uses New Zealand Nelson hops. It pours like a Pilsner and looks like a Pilsner but with a bit more hoppiness. Recommended

 

Very clear, yellow in color. Super white and SUPER thick head. Nice lacing. Nose is zesty, lemon hints. Taste was somewhat piney, like a hoppy beer, assume from the nelson hops. Slight bitterness on backend. Easy chugger.

 

16 oz can into Oktoberfest mug

Cloudy, yellow-tan appearance, moderate carbonation with a wispy head.

Nelson hops stand out in the nose, with their signature tropical, melon rind suggestions. A little dank, yeasty.

Flavors are definitely fruitier than you’d expect from a Keller, but that’s obviously what the Burgeon boys were going for. Hints of cantaloupe, papaya, whole grain crackers. Short quick finish, super drinkable.

This is the perfect brew for the dog days of a SoCal summer.

 

Im basing my rating on the Pilsner style. This is the best Pilsner I've ever had.

Love the Nelson hop bite that comes with it. Crisp, clean and delicious. Light-bodied. Nelson hops on the nose. Perfect in every way.

dang this is good, my first beer from burgeon courtesy of my buddy sending me out a killer box of stuff from that neck of the woods, i was impressed with this one, and even in the world of everyone using southern hemisphere hops in modern lagers now, this really still stands out to me. its a killer expression of nelson but more than that the base lager is awesome and light without being in any way generic, i really dug this. bright yellow blonde brew with more clarity than expected for a keller type, really more clear than cloudy, with a tall white head on it, radiant. the nose and taste are nelson driven for sure, wonderfully fresh and vibrant and exactly what this hop should be like when its at its best, bold dosage for a light lager like this, but there is still balance to this beer, some dry cereal malt underneath the hops, an old world type lager strain adding some wet earthiness, and some more familiar late hop bitterness too, a jazzy little noble pop underneath all the drippy juicy nelson. the nelson shows elderflower, kiwi fruit, vanilla, good sativa, watermelon rind, and fresh sliced pineapple, so forward and good, and the taste is just as good as the nose, its such a distinctive hop and its on full display here. i like the dryness of this lager and the flavor of the yeast too, unique enough there to stand out as well, and the whole thing is so refined and professional, instant respect and admiration. only problem with this was i only had one can and it was gone in a few minutes, definitely need to track down some more of this one, its fire. one of my favorite lagers of the season so far!

A brilliant adaptation of the Bavarian Keller.
Strikingly cloudy. (I figured the "pilsner" in the surname, often a clear beer, came was from the pils malt.) Smells give me a pleasant tropical fruit medley with some apple/pear mixed in. Tastes are balanced and refreshing and even better. In the mouth, bubbly and cleansing.

In the early analysis of my micro-review of Burgeon Beer, they have set high goals for five year old. Innovation seems to be at their core purpose and Clever Kiwi shows this innovation in one of the toughest craft markets in world to break into.

 

 

 

$ 7.49 (Including shipping)/16 oz can ($ 0.468/oz). Received 5/30/20 from Craftshack, San Diego, CA. Reviewed 5/31/20.
Stamped on bottom of can “#BRANCHOUT 04 28 20”. Stored at home at 42 degrees and served at 45 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Appearance – 3.5.
First pour – Paler than pale straw (SRM less than 2), slight haze.
Body – Pale straw (SRM 2), murky and opaque. When held to direct light, translucent.
Head – Large (Maximum 6.5 cm, aggressive center pour), white, high density with a few rocks, short retention, diminishing to a two mm crown and a thick partial cap. Lots of torn curtain lacing remains as the head retracts.
Lacing – Good. As the level drops, a wide band of tiny to medium bubbles remains, having a few blunt stalagmites remains. See also above.
Aroma – 4 – Fruity white wine and yeast, no malt.
Flavor – 4.25 – Light, slightly sweet and fruity, pilsner malt, just a hint of yeast. No alcohol (5.0% ABV, as marked on the label) taste or aroma. Ends with a slightly bitter aftertaste. No diacetyl or dimethylsulfide.
Palate – 3.75 – Medium, creamy, lively carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4.25 Although the brewers claim it’s a pilsner, I’ll agree that it tends toward the zwickelbier/kellerbier spectrum in appearance and flavor, although most of the z/k brews I’ve consumed (in Germany) tended to have distinct lumps rather than just haze. The carbonation is more typical of a pilsner than a z/k bier. Whatever you call it, it’s tasty. The can art is simple and straight-forward and reinforces the company name and has information of the hop and malt bills.

 

Clear golden brew with a long-lasting white foam in the Duvel tulip. Pleasant aroma of honey and lime. Sharp and spritzy on the tongue. Just enough sweetness to set off the melon taste.

This is a very drinkable but flavorful beer in the less hoppy but highly aromatic vein. I wouldn't call it a Kellerbier, it's just a German Pilsner, made with Pilsner malt, that is apparently unfiltered. As a Pilsner, it's better than average with lovely fruity aroma and quite modest bitterness. From the 16 oz can purchased at Barons Market in San Diego.

 

Got one on tap at Public HOuse, La Jolla