Celestial Gold | Church Brew Works
Brewed by:
Church Brew Works
Pennsylvania, United States
churchbrew.com
Style: German Pilsener
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.10%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 09-24-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 153 | Reviews: 64
Reviews by bjohnson:
More User Reviews:
3.45/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured a clear blond color with a thinner wispy white head that didnt last very long,aromas of toasted grain mainly with faint grassy hops underneath but like I said faint.The biggest flavor trait of this beer in my mind was the lightly toasted grain wich lent itself well with the grainy-like texture on the tongue there was a whisper of herbal/grassy hop that came in a pretty abrupt finish.The best thing that I can say about this beer as it down before I knew it and I drank a few quickly for Tigers-Pirates pregame.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured a clear blond color with a thinner wispy white head that didnt last very long,aromas of toasted grain mainly with faint grassy hops underneath but like I said faint.The biggest flavor trait of this beer in my mind was the lightly toasted grain wich lent itself well with the grainy-like texture on the tongue there was a whisper of herbal/grassy hop that came in a pretty abrupt finish.The best thing that I can say about this beer as it down before I knew it and I drank a few quickly for Tigers-Pirates pregame.
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4.5/5 rDev +27.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Probably my favorite Pilsner. This is refreshing, hoppy (not overly so), clean and smooth. I think it's a good interpretation of a classic German Pilsner. Try it. It usually takes a bottle to get a taste going for this one. After that it's easy to session these.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Probably my favorite Pilsner. This is refreshing, hoppy (not overly so), clean and smooth. I think it's a good interpretation of a classic German Pilsner. Try it. It usually takes a bottle to get a taste going for this one. After that it's easy to session these.
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3/5 rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Color is a clear dull yellow. Fizzy white head disappears quickly. Splotches of lace in the glass. Nose? Not really. There's a whiff of earthy-grassy hop. Macro-esque flavor: can o' corn with some cracked grains. Virtually no aftertaste or memorable finish. Micro-brewed for the macro-seeking.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Color is a clear dull yellow. Fizzy white head disappears quickly. Splotches of lace in the glass. Nose? Not really. There's a whiff of earthy-grassy hop. Macro-esque flavor: can o' corn with some cracked grains. Virtually no aftertaste or memorable finish. Micro-brewed for the macro-seeking.
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3.85/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Purchased at Capones. Clean German pilsener. Clear in color without much nose. Crisp & classic pils taste. Extremely easy to drink. I would put this up there with the other fine pilseners available in PA from Victory, Sly Fox, & Stoudts. I will buy this again especially for a hot summer's day.
Cheers.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Purchased at Capones. Clean German pilsener. Clear in color without much nose. Crisp & classic pils taste. Extremely easy to drink. I would put this up there with the other fine pilseners available in PA from Victory, Sly Fox, & Stoudts. I will buy this again especially for a hot summer's day.
Cheers.
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2.63/5 rDev -25.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Appearance: Pale golden with a nice sized white head coats the glass with nice lacing decen appearance overall. Aroma: Cereal grain sweetness very light but semi-aromatic hop profile. Taste: Mellow flavors of lightly toasted two row pale malts slgiht grassy hop note tame unoffensive beer. Mouthfeel: Light bodied soft carbonation, clean on the palate. Drinkability: So so, not crazy about a beer aimed at the masses, it's a typical golden beer mild and drinkable lacking flavor.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Appearance: Pale golden with a nice sized white head coats the glass with nice lacing decen appearance overall. Aroma: Cereal grain sweetness very light but semi-aromatic hop profile. Taste: Mellow flavors of lightly toasted two row pale malts slgiht grassy hop note tame unoffensive beer. Mouthfeel: Light bodied soft carbonation, clean on the palate. Drinkability: So so, not crazy about a beer aimed at the masses, it's a typical golden beer mild and drinkable lacking flavor.
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4/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(Served in an American pint glass)
A- This beer pours a crystal clear golden-organge body with a champaigne bubble supporting a white head. The foam sticks to the glass with each sip.
S- This beer has a soft perfumed sulfury note with a raw grain smell that grows as the beer warms.
T- The soft pale malt flavor has a dry slightly sulfury green finish.
M- The light mouthfeel finishes with a tight fizz.
D- This beer has a smooth balanced malt and hop profile but still soft and the sulfur was a bit strong.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(Served in an American pint glass)
A- This beer pours a crystal clear golden-organge body with a champaigne bubble supporting a white head. The foam sticks to the glass with each sip.
S- This beer has a soft perfumed sulfury note with a raw grain smell that grows as the beer warms.
T- The soft pale malt flavor has a dry slightly sulfury green finish.
M- The light mouthfeel finishes with a tight fizz.
D- This beer has a smooth balanced malt and hop profile but still soft and the sulfur was a bit strong.
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2.97/5 rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Just a regular lager, not really a pilsner. Malt in aroma. Nothing special but quaffable.Low hop flavour, IBU 18. Light mouthfeel. Lawnmower. Mixed bag from this brewery, and in their defence they are forced by peer pressure to brew these German beers.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
Just a regular lager, not really a pilsner. Malt in aroma. Nothing special but quaffable.Low hop flavour, IBU 18. Light mouthfeel. Lawnmower. Mixed bag from this brewery, and in their defence they are forced by peer pressure to brew these German beers.
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4.11/5 rDev +16.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Pours Like a golden champagne. Huge bubbly head. Crystal Clear.
S: pilsner malt. floral and piney hops. As it warms there is more of a fruity aroma.
T: Cider-esque. Malty goodness. Nice and crisp. Yeasty. Not too much to this but it is enjoyable.
MF: not as carbonated as the giant head led me to believe but it is still moderately high. Dry as a bone. light bodied.
D: Very session friendly and enjoyable. A great after work pilsner.
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Pours Like a golden champagne. Huge bubbly head. Crystal Clear.
S: pilsner malt. floral and piney hops. As it warms there is more of a fruity aroma.
T: Cider-esque. Malty goodness. Nice and crisp. Yeasty. Not too much to this but it is enjoyable.
MF: not as carbonated as the giant head led me to believe but it is still moderately high. Dry as a bone. light bodied.
D: Very session friendly and enjoyable. A great after work pilsner.
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3.43/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Celestial Gold pours an attractive gold color. It lives up to its name in that respect. It’s clear. When held to light it takes on a very bright gold look. There’s not much going on in the head department. There’s a surface covering of light, white bubbles. Doesn’t rise far above that. It’s quick to dissipate, leaving a very faint lacing behind.
The nose is pretty average. It’s a bit weak and needs more strength. The base is a tad malty and yeasty. It’s not bad. It’s rather grainy and grassy throughout. I suspect there’s some form of noble hop here. Hops aren’t all that prominent, but they do add a strong grassy presence. Alcohol isn’t noticeable at all. It’s not bad. It’s just not exactly good either. More strength might tip the scale to the positive side.
The flavor is a notch better. It’s fairly simply and straight forward, but it’s pretty good. It kicks off with a nice mix of malty and yeasty flavors. It’s very grainy and earthy. Hops are noted and definitely add a grassy flavor to the mix. Tastes like noble hops to me. It’s not all that bitter, but it is grassy and dry. Alcohol is very light and unnoticeable. Finishes earthy, grassy and dry. It isn’t spectacular, but it is pretty decent.
Celestial Gold has a light body. Carbonation is active and it does have a crisp bite. For the style, it works pretty well. It’s rather refreshing and is pretty easy to drink. I could handle a few of these in a sitting.
Church Brew Works did an alright job with Celestial Gold. It’s not going to compete with the world’s best German Pilsners, but it will do if you’re looking for a decent one in a pinch. Give it a shot.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Celestial Gold pours an attractive gold color. It lives up to its name in that respect. It’s clear. When held to light it takes on a very bright gold look. There’s not much going on in the head department. There’s a surface covering of light, white bubbles. Doesn’t rise far above that. It’s quick to dissipate, leaving a very faint lacing behind.
The nose is pretty average. It’s a bit weak and needs more strength. The base is a tad malty and yeasty. It’s not bad. It’s rather grainy and grassy throughout. I suspect there’s some form of noble hop here. Hops aren’t all that prominent, but they do add a strong grassy presence. Alcohol isn’t noticeable at all. It’s not bad. It’s just not exactly good either. More strength might tip the scale to the positive side.
The flavor is a notch better. It’s fairly simply and straight forward, but it’s pretty good. It kicks off with a nice mix of malty and yeasty flavors. It’s very grainy and earthy. Hops are noted and definitely add a grassy flavor to the mix. Tastes like noble hops to me. It’s not all that bitter, but it is grassy and dry. Alcohol is very light and unnoticeable. Finishes earthy, grassy and dry. It isn’t spectacular, but it is pretty decent.
Celestial Gold has a light body. Carbonation is active and it does have a crisp bite. For the style, it works pretty well. It’s rather refreshing and is pretty easy to drink. I could handle a few of these in a sitting.
Church Brew Works did an alright job with Celestial Gold. It’s not going to compete with the world’s best German Pilsners, but it will do if you’re looking for a decent one in a pinch. Give it a shot.
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3.63/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A - crisp clean gold color with a bubbly head. no really lacing once the head recedes.
S - crisp slight maltiness. Bread and hints of pine.
T - delightful. bread overtones are covered quickly by hop bitterness. finishes with a slight metallic tang.
O - very nice pilsener.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A - crisp clean gold color with a bubbly head. no really lacing once the head recedes.
S - crisp slight maltiness. Bread and hints of pine.
T - delightful. bread overtones are covered quickly by hop bitterness. finishes with a slight metallic tang.
O - very nice pilsener.
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3.56/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
3.85/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
What the macros aspire to be. Beautiful amber color with quickly vanishing head. Heavy, bready malt in the nose and then a full malt taste. (Corn as well?) Very minimal hops bitterness for a pilsner; and rather heavy mouthful with less than expected carbonation. But I couldn't put it down. Very nice, satisfying taste. Hand carried from Church Brew Works in Pittsburg by "N" this weekend. I can't wait to get up there myself and experience it in person.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
What the macros aspire to be. Beautiful amber color with quickly vanishing head. Heavy, bready malt in the nose and then a full malt taste. (Corn as well?) Very minimal hops bitterness for a pilsner; and rather heavy mouthful with less than expected carbonation. But I couldn't put it down. Very nice, satisfying taste. Hand carried from Church Brew Works in Pittsburg by "N" this weekend. I can't wait to get up there myself and experience it in person.
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3.25/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
P- Pittsburgh Bottle Shop
A- A pale goldenrod color. poor head but it does coat the top of the beer favorably. Leaves a decent splothy lacing on the pint as well. Clear and can be seen through.
S- smells just like pilsner. Dominant on the salty malts and vinegar like smell.
F- taste is same as nose but more malty on the tongue. a sour mash like flavor.
M- Smooth and not as malt heavy going down.
O- I am not a fan of pilsner so i hope this is fairly acurate but i think this is one of the ones i can stand. i have had better from CBW but this will do in a pinch.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
P- Pittsburgh Bottle Shop
A- A pale goldenrod color. poor head but it does coat the top of the beer favorably. Leaves a decent splothy lacing on the pint as well. Clear and can be seen through.
S- smells just like pilsner. Dominant on the salty malts and vinegar like smell.
F- taste is same as nose but more malty on the tongue. a sour mash like flavor.
M- Smooth and not as malt heavy going down.
O- I am not a fan of pilsner so i hope this is fairly acurate but i think this is one of the ones i can stand. i have had better from CBW but this will do in a pinch.
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3.65/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Drank from a Lindemans flute.
First pour into my glass was almost all over my floor.Very over carbonted.Light gold body sits beneath a bone white thick head.Tons of carbonation.I had to wait till the head went down,it seemed like it took forever.Nice lacing on the glass.
Smells of corn,rice and german malts.Smells like ass.
Malts and some slight hop flavor in this one and some fruityness in there.
Mouthfeel is slightly crips and pretty good with some slight carbonation problems.A bit watery in the mouthfeel dept.
Ide like to have this again but when its a bit fresher.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Drank from a Lindemans flute.
First pour into my glass was almost all over my floor.Very over carbonted.Light gold body sits beneath a bone white thick head.Tons of carbonation.I had to wait till the head went down,it seemed like it took forever.Nice lacing on the glass.
Smells of corn,rice and german malts.Smells like ass.
Malts and some slight hop flavor in this one and some fruityness in there.
Mouthfeel is slightly crips and pretty good with some slight carbonation problems.A bit watery in the mouthfeel dept.
Ide like to have this again but when its a bit fresher.
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Celestial Gold from Church Brew Works
3.53
out of 5
based on 153 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to skinnyelvis for the chance to try this offering.
A: Pours a golden straw color with a thin one finger white head. Thin retention on top with a bit of bubbly around the edges.
S: Grassy straw aromas with nice floral hop presence. Toasted grain notes balance out the aroma. Slight sugary presence also.
T/M: Floral hop notes with a slight citrus fruit background. Excellent hop profile. Toasted grains play a nice back seat. Slight bitterness in the finish with a grassy and grainlike aftertaste. Crisp and easy drinking.
D: A fine session pilsner and definitely one for the summer months. Smooth and refreshing.
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