Waltz
2 Crows Brewing Co.

Waltz is a slightly hazy, pale amber lager, very much the color of ripe hay. Thin streams of CO2 support a cloudy, off white head with very decent retention.

Taking a sniff, Waltz's nose is an intriguing mix of flowery, perfumed aromas. For instance the aroma starts off with the bready malt notes you'd expect from any good lager. But there's a quality mixed in that somehow reminds me of toasted spices which is pleasant enough, but kind of odd in this context. This leads directly into what I can only describe as floral, as though my pint glass is sitting right in front of a bouquet of fresh flowers. Again not unpleasant, just odd in this context.

On the tongue, Waltz is smooth, crisp, light in its carbonation and rounded up front. Fresh baked bread and lightly toasted grain come through first. Mouthfeel starts to dry out toward the center which is where I find flavors of lightly toasted spice combined with a more gentle presence of fresh flowers. The finish is slightly grassy in nature and just a little bit lasting.

I think Waltz is a very interesting take on the German pilsner. It definitely strikes the right notes for being smooth, crisp, and bready in its maltiness. But there are some other flavors and aromas that I've never seen in a lager before whether it be pilsner or otherwise. At first I thought those flavors were kind of odd but once I got a few sniffs and sips into my pint, I found them enjoyable.

 

Appearance - Pours a staw gold with three fingers of foamy white head.

Smell - bready malts, lemon, citrus, flowery and spicy noble hops, and earthy yeast.

Taste - bitter flowery and spicy noble hops upfront. The bready malts, lemon, citrus, and earthy yeast finish the brew off.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate to high carbonation. Finishes crisp and dry with the hops lingering.

Overall - A pleasant crisp and refreshing German Pilsner. This one is definitely sessionable and packs quite the hop punch. Another doozie of a brew from the folks at 2 Crows!