White Apron
Russian River Brewing Company

 

 

I had this beer two weeks ago on tap at Bouchon in Yountville. It was a great surprise finding this on the menu especially since I didn't even know it existed.

A: Typical of a pilsener, light golden with high clarity and a thin bright white head that laced beautifully.

S: Effervescent with citrus and floral notes with just a hint of that wet hop smell.

T/M: A bit more carbonation and hops than I'm used to in a pils and I loved it. The more foreword hop character is well balanced by a toasty malt core; in the end more flavor than I'm used to for this style. That extra bubble conveys a mild tartness that is refreshing and dry but not overly so.

I usually never go out of my way for a pilsener but I wish this one was available in bottles. While I always appreciate the heavier structure of an ale or IPA, this beer on a hot summer's day in the park would be spectacular. In my book this beer sets the bar for Pilseners and any problems I could find have nothing to do with the actual beer and more with my preference for other styles.

On tap at Bar Bouchon in Beverly Hills, as it is the exclusive vendor of this beer. Served in a tall flute, similar to a champagne flute but wider and taller.

A: Wonderful golden color, very carbonated with a nice bubbly head that has nice retention with really nice lacing on the sides.

S: Very floral. Nice citrus and subtle biscuit notes compliment this well.

T: Really lovely floral and citrus flavors, I kind of expect most Pilseners to be a little bland, and watery, but this is really flavorful. Balanced well with toasted biscuit flavors.

M: In a word, crisp. Very much like a sparkling wine or mineral water, smooth, wonderful finish.

O: This was a stumbled upon find, went in for a load of bread, ended up trying this out. It's really a top quality Pilsener. This will be amazing to drink all summer, just wish it was a more affordable place, but like the previous reviewer said, kind of adds a little extra to it.

From a bottle at Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Beverly Hills, CA.

This is the beer that Russian River is making for Bouchon, and only Bouchon. Kind of pretentious, but also sort of a treat to go get to try something unique and difficult to get. I had tried Blue Apron at the French Laundry, so i figured i had to complete the 'Apron' series with this one.

Its a Pilsner style beer, but when i first tasted it, i definitely thought i was drinking an herb beer or a saison. Not like traditional pilsners i have had over the years. It comes in a small 10oz glass with a full inch and a half of pure white head. Looks like they decapitate it ala Stella Artois. The beer itself is a straw yellow and kind of cloudy. Cannot see through it.

Smell was herbal and fresh. We were eating seafood when i got the beer, and the combination of the 2 was interesting. Also had some kind of bread note in the nose. I was pretty excited to taste it at this point.

Taste did not disappoint. As mentioned, it really tasted tarter and spicier than what i think of as a traditional Pilsner. Definitely a sipping beer. Had a lot of citrus in it as well, but that tartness really popped through everything else. Aftertaste was not bad, but sort of weird feeling in my mouth. I wanted to eat food after taking a sip every time.

Very drinkable, i had 2 during my lunch and could probably do another. It was a fun experience to try something so limited and kind of a bummer that i can't get this or Blue Apron outside of going to eat at a really expensive restaurant. But hey, that's what makes it special right?