Spruce Pilsner
Short's Brewing Company

NOTE: I was reviewing this blindly from a BIF box the ever generous BigIronH sent me. My original blind review stands here and I entered this review after revealing what beer it is

Well, given this was the Stout/Barleywine BIF I wasn't expecting this, but it pours a cloudy orange gold with 2 fingers of frothy off white head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves decent lacing. Maybe it's a white Stout?

Nope, certainly not a white Stout, but I can't place my finger on it. It seems like a lemon meringue pie. I'm picking up on aromas of lemon zest, vanilla custard, orange juice, doughy malt, graham cracker, grassy hops, sweet honey, and lime zest

Things take an odd sweet turn in taste, but also hop driven? On the front end of the sip I'm tasting lime zest, bready malt, orange juice, caramel, grassy hops, light lemon zest, and graham cracker. The swallow brings notes of lemon zest, vanilla ice cream, earthy hops, lime zest, graham cracker, bready malt, mint, and orange juice

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes neutral and sweet with an odd bitterness

Time for the big reveal...

It's Short's Spruce Pilsner! This one is incredibly odd, and I was very far off with my initial guess. I was picking up on some of the grassy bitterness from the spruce tips, but I did find it a bit strange. It's not the worst thing in the world but it's definitely out there

I was never a fan of Short's, but I do enjoy a good pilsner and this sounded interesting. Pretty much what I expected from Short's. It's a big beer with a light mouth feel, heavy on the finish. If you're big into craft beers you might like it. I didn't find the Spruce flavor too pronounced. Regardless, I'll drink my beer and gin separately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I first had this in 2011, still to this day as I drink one think to myself. This is its own animal. Its very good. Ive had many spruce type beers because of this beer. None stand up to it. This could be easily a world class rated beer!!!!!!

Bottle courtesy of JohnnyHops.

Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) bottle into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass; production information is illegible.
A: Pours a hazy, light amber to brown color with a three finger, off-white color head, excellent (half finger) retention and broad, foamy lacing.
S: Very strong yeast presence, at first, with caramel, cherry, spruce, and Pinesol.
T: More semisweet that semidry. Flavors mirror the nose, although, I have to say, this tastes a lot like drinking dilute Pinesol, flavorwise. Moderate bitterness appreciable.
M: Medium bodied with solid carbonation.
O: Looked fan-friggin-tastic, tasted like it was adulterated with Pinesol. If you are going to make a Sahti, then just make one: there are not many of those on the market. If you like Pinesol, this beer is for you.

I got two bottles of this beer from a mixed 12pck that I bought from my local meijer store. It poured a clear golden with white head that is leaving a nice lace. The scent had bitter pine hop notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with subtle saaz hop presence and pine hop highlights. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its a solid beer.

12oz bottled 10/7/19 (2 months ago) poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass at fridge temp, no ABV listed on label. The beer pours bright golden amber in color with abundant off white head. The head recedes slowly leaving a big cap and full lacing. The aroma is mild with earthy spruce and evergreen sap. The taste is semisweet caramel malt punctuated with earthy, sappy spruce and old school C hops. Moderate bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, very good. I'm a fan of imperial pils and spruce beer. This is a good example of both. Not cloying or heavy on alcohol presence.

 

 

 

 

 

Bottled on 7/28/17. 12oz bottle poured into a tulip. Pours a burnt golden with a subtle haze; creamy off-white head that falls leaving great retention and sticky lacing. The aromas are full of spruce. Some tropical berries in the mix. Subtle hints of caramel. A nice amount of malts. The flavors follow the nose perfectly. Lots of fresh spruce. Strong malt backbone. Hints of cocoa and mint. Some pine resin. Some sticky syrupy characteristics are there. Mild spiciness. It finishes with a subtle warmth, but the alcohol is ultimately well hidden. Mouthfeel is nice. It's full-bodied with with moderate to low carbonation. Dangerously drinkable.

This is an awesome brew. It's probably my favorite "spruce beer" that I've had to date. It's also the best beer that I've had from Short's, to date. It doesn't really come off as a pilsener or an Imperial pilsener, but it doesn't even matter to me. It actually drinks more like an Imperial IPA. This beer is a winner!