Imperial Pilsners

I have to disagree somewhat with this point. Although all the imperial pilsners I've had have certainly been maltier, not one has had the same kind of maltiness; the "soft," bready malts one gets from a good pils is almost always exchanged for sweeter varieties. Combined with the fact that they're often hopped with American hops, the influence of the pilsner maybe remains in the use of lager yeast, but carries over little into the end flavor profile. That is, it seems to me that in the process of "amping up" the pils, a lot of its defining characteristics get left behind, and you wind up with an IPA fermented with lager yeast.

Of course, if anyone can point me in the direction of an example of this style that retains more of its European influence, please do so.

 

I think Jack was saying that the product usually used in brewing is flaked corn/maize, which is a little different in appearance, texture,and taste from the breakfast cereal called Corn Flakes. The corn flakes box in my hand says degermed yellow corn meal, sugar, salt, malt extract. Flaked corn is corn run through heated rollers to gelantanize the corn somthatnit canbe used in brewing.

 

Most of the time they call it flaked maize, I was just joking on the label actually spelling out corn flakes.

 

I don't drink a lot of Pils mainly because the selection here is weak, but I can't see why the style needs to be amped up. Pils are subtle flavorful beers that are time tested, ratcheting them up to 9% ABV or so seems kinda silly, we have Stouts and IPA's to screw with leave the Pils alone..

 

This is a style I love and am constantly seeking out. For my money, Odell's Double Pilsner is the best by a huge margin. It's worth trading for if not available in your area.

 

Understood.

 

Ballast Point's Fathom India Pale Lager is fantastic (6.8% ABV). It's listed as an American Double/Imperial Pilsner here on BA. It's one example that got me more into pilsners. Good ones are light, crisp, and perfect on a hot day. This definitely falls into that category!

 

Not every beer is supposed to be an IPA man.

 

That style is something that has never really struck a chord with me. I do enjoy pilsners as the weather heats up, as well as being a great lawn mower beer. However, If I want something with more hop presence or abv, I'll turn to an IPA or DIPA.

 

Rogue / Morimoto Imperial Pilsner

 

Shorts the Curl is great

 

I looooooovvvveee Imperial Pilsners....my favorite ever is Run BMC from the Bruery, but the aforementioned my antonia is also good, and I really like Krampus from Southern Tier

 

Can't believe no one has mentioned The Bruery's Humulus Lager.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/51557

 

I'm shy about trying new imperial pilsners because in amping things up the beers I've tried have acquired a sweetness that doesn't much appeal to me. I'd be more interested in checking them out in a 12 oz format but all the ones I've tried have been in bombers, and by the end of the bottle I've had about 10 ozs too much.

 

Agreed. It's not a style that think benefits from being "imperialized." Kind of like when I saw an "Imperial Oktoberfest." Not a fan. But hey, different strokes.....

To the OP: I second the Bohemian Pilsner from 'Gansett. Imperial Pils' aren't my cup o' joe, but that beer was sound. It's bomber only, but it's not as pricey as some other stuff you'll see.

American Darling from Pretty Things is a strong pils too. I don't know if you'd call it "Imperial" but I think it's north of 7%. Take that for what you will. I enjoyed it and thought it to be pretty potent.

Victory St. Boisterous doesn't get distributed up here any longer (possibly doesn't even get bottled either, I can' quite remember), but that's another pils-like brew that's on the strong side.

 

Harpoon Imperial Bohemian Pilsener was good, I think.

 

I love Pilsners, and the few Imperial Pilsners I have had were enjoyable too: SN's Beer Camp one from last year, and Heavy Seas Uber Pils...I am looking forward to trying more.

 

Heavy Seas Small Craft Warning is nice. 7.25% ABV, sort of "tingley" on the tongue, and is actually somewhat refreshing.

Don't know id Heavy Seas is in Mass., but I'd recommend trying it. It's a fairly inexpensive six-pack.

 

Pinot barrel aged Imp Pils is a pretty special offering from my local brewery, unavailable to the masses though.
we'll just keep it "our little secret"

 

Twas excellent.