Smiley Blue
Stevens Point Brewery

 

I don't know if this is some kind of anti-depressant or Viagra reference, but I like to pretend that it is.

Pours gold and very fizzy with a minuscule head. Smells very Saaz-heavy and malty with a tiny bit of roughness to it. Very much an American iteration of the style, but a nice one: if you had told me this was Victory's Prima pils I would have believed you.

Tastes like it smells: a hoppy, American-style version of a Czech pils. Saaz dominates throughout but is balanced quite nicely by a bready pils malt near the middle and end of the sip, with hops lingering on the finish along with some mild esters. Not nearly as clean as a German-made pils (or one from, say, New Glarus), but a still a bang-on iteration of the style. Being from Steven's Point, it's also quite reasonably priced.

 

 

 

 

Bought a 12 pack of cans. Ive tried Point in the blue can and it wasnt horrible. This Smiley Bluepils is excellent far surpassing my expectations. It will be my new everyday drinker. Great job Point!

 

Appearance isn't bad - quite clear yellow, white head fades after a bit. Aroma is dry grain, crackers, salt. Flavor's clean, bittersweet, but a hint of butterscotch. Decent body. Not bad, but I've had a lot better. I really don't like butterscotch/diacetyl.

 

 

 

 

A new to me Point beer. I bought the spring mixed 12 pack that features it and then the same day, my wife brought home a six pack. I spent some time in Prague earlier this year and was able to sample lots of this type of beer at its birthplace. Let’s see how this one does.

Poured into a pint glass, the beer is yellow bordering on apricot with a slight chill haze.

It has a nose of saz hops and grains. It seems right for a Czech pilsner. It smells fresh and inviting.

I like the interplay between the slightly spicy hops, grains and something mineral like. The grains add some slightly sweet cracker notes.

The mouth has a decent thickness and there is active carbonation.

I like this one. I think they hit the style. Well done Point!

 

 

Straight "4's" across the board. Sampled back on 1/7/16. A newer brew. Comes in a 12-ounce bottle. The ABV doesn't list the alcohol (ABV) content. I am guessing 4.9% to 5.5%. Bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured in to a "CHEERS-BOSTON" handled-glass stein.

Brew pours a hazy golden-yellow in color with close to a 1-finger foamy white head. Some light lacing is seen when sipped. Aroma is of sweet malts with a hint of spice. Pretty much is said for the taste as well. Very smooth and goes down easy with no harsh or bitterness at all. Medium-bodied with good carbonation. Overall a tasty brew.

Ya' know this isn't that bad. It seems that they may have used some American ingredients yet created a beer that has many of the characteristics of the intended style. There is a nice spiciness to the hops, but they certainly don't seem like Saaz. There is a nice carbonic bite, a good refreshing quality, a smooth malt character and a nice hit of bitterness.
It's not "brilliantly" clear being tad cloudy and the head isn't' as white or long-lasting but still looks good in a pils glass.
Esp. at Point prices that is perfectly fine.