Let's talk Pilsners

While I agree, there's a big difference between the "cold" beers I had in Europe and the "Coldest Beer in Town" attitude here in the U.S. Most taverns serving the likes of BMC serve it so cold, and probably in a chilled glass stored in the freezer case, that there's really no flavor at all (I know, if there ever was to begin with).

If they add some better beers to their lineup, the kegs will be in the same cold cooler as the BMC and they'll still push the frozen drink-ware -- to the point of killing all flavor in those beers too. It's not pretty.

 

I see well that's a bit different from here I agree. They don't have pre-chilled glassware here that I've come across, and the beer is no colder than you get at home straight from the fridge. Some macro brands have come out with these special taps that are supposed to serve the beer at near freezing temperatures, but they're not wide spread and I've never seen one.

 

Lucky to have Old Mecklenberg here, their Pils is outstanding my favorite from their brewery. I like Sunshine Pils quite a bit too, a ton of flavor. Everything I've had from JA has been most excellent whether it's a traditional Lager or not, wish it was here and I'd love to go to the brewery.

 

What would you say are the main similarities and differences between Olde Meck's and Troegs' pils?

When the Olde Meck first came out, it used noble hops (Saaz, IIRC), and I liked it quite a bit more than the current iteration, which uses Saphir.

 

Good question, I'm far from a Pils expert. The Sunshine has a bigger hop profile, not a clue what they use, and it incredibly fruity. The OMB is really very very smooth, you don't drink it as much as it just slides down your throat. I think I could easily drain a glass in one pull, the hop profile is more subdued, would like a slightly bigger hop profile, but not enough to start edging into PA kinda territory . OMB has better head retention and great lacing, it just looks good in a glass, a product of freshness no doubt. I don't drink a lot of Pils but when I do it's OMB, when I'm home in Pa or visiting my son in NY I always buy Sunshine. I like it much better than Prima which in and by itself is a very good Pils. I don't get the buzz on Noble Pils, it's ok, but there's better.

 

I remember seeing Guinness using something similar in 2001 in Dublin... but I'll be damned if I know why. The theory I heard was that they were trying to attract the younger drinkers who always drank ice-cold "lagers." I stuck to traditional pours.

 

Danish Dream

 

I am currently enjoying Torch Pilsner by Foothills Brewing.

 

I like many Foothills offerings, but the Torch is, IMO, a very poor pilsner.

 

Well, its what I have on hand at the moment. It's certainly not a drain pour.

 

Don't know what part of MA your are in, but New World Tavern in Plymouth is tapping a keg of Pivo on the 27th.

 

Hope that was achieved without a sparkler.

 

I'm going to plead ignorance here: What is a Pilsner Sparkler?

And is there a beer named after it yet?

 

I love the fall and winter beers for their high ABV's and wonderful flavors, but I also enjoy all the spring and summer beers. Since it's still frigidly cold here in CT, i'm still craving Barleywines and Impy Stouts. Once March gets here I like to start things off with Berkshire's Cabin Fever Ale and then make my way into wheats and pils.
Victory Prima Pils
Piercing pils
Nobil Pils

all pretty solid!

 

Never had a Torch , but I think Foothills is up and down, they lack constintcy. I've had great Jade and so so Jade, their spotty as hell. My dad like torch and their Cottonwood Blonde. For anyone in Nc who can get to Bestway I highly recommend Olde Mecklenberg, that's as Far East it comes outside Charlotte according to their distro map. That is easily the creamiest smoothest drinking beer I've ever tasted, holds a finger head to the bottom and perfectly carbonated. It's a slider kinda like oysters.

 

A sparkler (which isn't specific to pilseners) is like a little shower head that some pubs attach to the tap when serving cask brews, which helps create more head. Their use appears to be a point of controversy; some claim they lessen the quality of the beer (similar to the way some disdain nitro taps). That's all I know. Sadly I have too little access to cask brews to decide whether I'm pro or con.

 

I really hope Dogfish doesn't stick by their word that Piercing Pils is going to be a winter seasonal.

I finally got to have it on draft last night, in a proper pilsner glass, and all I could think was how delicious this would be at a baseball game.

 

Pizza boy citra pils if you can ever make it to pa. Victory prima pils is awesome. Mamas lil yella and scrimshaw also hit the spot

 

I agree! Piercing Pils would be an excellent late spring/summer beer!

Cheers!