Crowded Haus
Astro Lab Brewing

 

 

 

Poured from the can into a Libbey style pilsner glass.

Crystal clear, and bright brass yellow body with an absolute mirror like finish. Very fine carbonation, a bit fast rising in linear form but also not much of it. Head is bleach white bright, and also really soapy retention. Shampoo to weak bubble bath head appearances, but does manage a good three fingers, but weak settling retention. Clumps in big bubbles as it settles, with spit like lacing.

Herbal noble hop like notes, hits a little grass but mostly spicy green herbs on the nose very nicely. Sense of chewy malt a bit, the specialized hop qualities don't seem obvious to me though (NZ hops). Solid if straightforward pils so far, with a small sense of cleanliness on the nose too, not greatly but just ok.

Palate seems to go in some unexpected directions. A somewhat thick and nearly slick mouthfeel, luckily without the diacetyl. Hits with a bit of liquid thick malt density that comes off runny, than chewy. Good spicy hop angle, hits with real nice bitterness that manages to cut through this honey like texture, minus the sweetness luckily. Faint touches of white grape juice, unfortunately not nice wine, more like the one that comes in a plastic jug from the grocery store. Exceptionally surprising bready note that is a nice touch that cuts through a syrupy body somewhat.

Not quite I look for in a pilsner, even with the non traditional ingredients. All for that, while not by any means bad, just misses some of the clean palate and basic notes I like from a good pils. Luckily more of the good balances out some of the few minor faults.