Seeking replacement for Sudwerk Pilsner

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by JustSomeGuy, Sep 5, 2022.

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  1. JustSomeGuy

    JustSomeGuy Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2022

    I have not been able to find Sudwerk Pilsner (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/219/681/) or Sudwerk Helles (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/219/6229/) for quite awhile, and I'm looking for an alternative that is as similar as possible and which is available in the greater Sacramento CA area.

    I've tried Sudwerk's The People's Pilsner (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/219/318486/), but it is far less hoppy than what I'm looking for.

    The closest match I have found lately is Scrimshaw Pilsner (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/112/409/), which is a great beer, but I'm looking for something closer to Sudwerk Pilsner or Helles.

    Unfortunately, I don't know enough about Pilsner types to be more specific regarding what I loved about Sudwerk Pilsner or Helles, but I'm hoping that some of you may have tried one of those beers and so have an idea as to what I'm looking for.

    IPAs and IPLs are far hoppier than what I'm looking for.

    Thanks in advance for any advice.
     
    #1 JustSomeGuy, Sep 5, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2022
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  2. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Have you been over to Urban Roots yet? They make a number of different lagers, including various pils and helles lagers. I'm not sure how similar their beers are to the lagers you like from Sudwerks (it's been years since I last had anything from them), but most everything I've had from UR has been pretty good.

    That being said, have you tried giving Sudwerks a call? I was just looking at their website, and I get the impression they're not currently making their regular pils or helles. It's possible the recipe has been discontinued, or maybe these beers are now seasonal offerings,. Regardless, it might be worth giving them a call, just to see what's going on.

    Good luck.
     
    #2 John_M, Sep 5, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2022
  3. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've never had any pilsner from them other than people's pilsner so I'm not sure exactly what the character you're looking for is. That said, a very good pilsner that is richer in malt character and a bit lighter on the hop aspect than scrimshaw is Alluvium Pilsner from Seismic brewing.
     
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  4. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    @John_M beat me to it, but if you haven't already tried Urban Roots Hell or EZPZ I'd start there. Their helles is easily the best I've found in Norcal for my palate and preferences. Since you live in CA another option would be to get Pivo shipped from Firestone. As @unlikelyspiderperson noted, Alluvium is quite nice too, but I don't find it easily in Sac. Been seeing more Temescal cans in Sac, they have some nice hoppy lagers too.
     
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  5. JustSomeGuy

    JustSomeGuy Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2022

    Thanks for replying!

    Sudwerk's Pilsner was significantly hoppier than The People's Pilsner, but there is some other, important difference that I can't articulate...maybe type of hops.

    Thanks for recommending Alluvium. I'll look into that.
     
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  6. JustSomeGuy

    JustSomeGuy Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2022

    @jakecattleco, thanks for the reply.

    Looks like I need to visit Urban Roots!
     
    #6 JustSomeGuy, Sep 6, 2022
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 6, 2022
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  7. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I would definitely check out urban roots too, they've got a relatively big selection of pale lagers to choose from so you're likely to find something that suits your fancy
     
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  8. thuey

    thuey Pooh-Bah (1,705) Nov 13, 2015 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I wanted to try Urban Roots Hell but they didn't have it the one time I visited :slight_frown:

    So far my favs are Russian River Velvet Glow (kinda pricey, but my #1 pick) and Humble Sea Authentic DDH (now renamed to Helles). I'd love to get the UR one up in that mix to see how it compares.
     
  9. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    @thuey I like Velvet Glow, but I love UR Hell. Think you'll really like it. The most recent batch was end of July, if memory serves. There were still cans at the brewery before the holiday weekend. Not sure what kind of distribution the cans saw, probably much smaller volume and footprint from their hoppy stuff. Feels like it's in a 3-4 month rotation in their brew cycle.
     
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  10. atomicpunk5151

    atomicpunk5151 Maven (1,280) Jul 25, 2010 California
    Trader

    I will give a 3rd or 4th recommendation for Urban Roots HELL. It is fantastic.

    [​IMG]


    If you are anywhere in the Sac Area, UR is a must stop if you are downtown. Right now they have several Lagers and Pilsners on tap and in cans togo. https://www.urbanrootsbrewing.com/menu


    ALSO, most better bottle shops and even Nugget Supermarket now has UR cans in the Sac or Roseville area.

    @JustSomeGuy .. what part of SAC are you in?
     
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  11. thuey

    thuey Pooh-Bah (1,705) Nov 13, 2015 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Hmmm based on what you guys said, I thought to myself - I wonder if we have it in my local (San Francisco) supermarket. So I dropped by and ...

    [​IMG]

    My first impressions are tainted - I was starving so dug into my food first, so that impacts the beer. With that caveat...

    The aroma is nice - you definitely get that grain-forward note that German lagers have. That malty grain follows through on the palate. But I feel like this is drinking a bit more bitter and drier than a true Munich Helles would, which is not a bad thing - and not unlike a lot of American-brewed counterparts. But it's drinking more like a German Pils than a Helles.

    I'll have to crack another on a clean palate to form a real impression. But even as is, this would be a hitter on a hot day!
     
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