I think that most of the dudes here at Beertastic are ale guys (and they are the easiest to homebrew fyi). We are big bad ass Americans and love our super hoppy brews or barrel aged motor oil. However, I thought it’s important to be a well rounded beer nerd and went for this classic – it’s been brewed since 1842 – bottom-fermented beer, famous for its use of smooth Saaz hops and unique (mineral) water source.

Brewery Home: Pilzen, Czech

Serving Style: Poured from pint can

Beer Style: Pilsner

Appearance: Cloudy golden yellow. Oh wait, little humid in here! After wiping the glass down it is a crispy clear amber. Brilliant. The head pours strong from the can but dies off fast. Still appears bubbly and delicious.

Aroma: Light fruity – more like estery if your a chemistry buff – notes with a dry, earthy/grainy finish. Hay is a good description, with a definite yeasty edge. Intriguing. No distinct hop notes as far as I can tell. As it warmed the yeast/malt aroma got much much stronger.

Taste: Ooooo this is a lager alright. Smooth and crisp, with good cooperation between flavor and carbonation (mouth feel). Dry and refreshing. Again it almost has a hay or grass in the middle of a sip, finishes dry and malty. Possibly a little citrus flavor in the initial bite (with some hop bite) but its very slight, the grains are the center of the party here. I feel like the hay-like smell clashes oddly with the taste on each sip – its not offensive but not quite my bag of tea. Is it too late to mention I’m an ale guy?

ABV: 4.40%

Drink one or all?: 1 can. It’s a standard and important in any beer-u-cation.

Cost: $1.50/pint can

Overall: 14/20. Good to try for yourself.