Pilsner - Stone Brewing Review
Anyone who knows American craft beer knows Stone Brewing. And they also know that Stone is known for their original IPAs and intense hoppiness. It’s what made them who they are today. So, naturally, when Stone comes out with a Pilsner, our curiosity has us loading it in the cooler before we realize we bought it.
Pilsners are ubiquitous, and their flavor is well known, but they are also greatly loved by beer drinkers at all levels. They’re classic, and German, and surprisingly difficult to pull off for a long-brewed style. So what’s different about Stone’s? Because you know they’re going to do something different.
Well, their Pilsner does veer from the German-style with the use of Cashmere and Vista hops (both American) over the traditional noble hops, offering something with fruitier and more American flavors in this 4.7% ABV and 21 IBU beer.
With our minds open, let us commence.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--A thin head covers a clear and golden elixir. So far, so good.
On the Nose--This is typically where we go, “Oh yeah, this is a Pilsner for sure,” and while it has some bready and malty notes, it also has a touch of tart stone fruit and melon, likely from the Vista hops, with gentle floral notes. It’s hoppy, slightly odd with Pilsner on the mind, but also very intriguing. Again—mind open!
On the Palate--Hoppy floral notes hit me first, not Pilsner malt as might be expected from a traditional Pilsner beer. Some of the sharp fruitiness from the aroma clings on but it’s mostly floral and citrus with a maltiness that is less Pilsner to me and more like some of the gluten-free beers I’ve had before, though Stone did say it would have a corn chip finish. It has a light to medium mouthfeel and finishes dry with the slightest lingering sweetness.
Food Pairings: Pilsner beers love food, so make it grilled, make it greasy, and make it satisfying. You can’t go wrong. Pizza, burgers, and nachos are a great place to start.
Final Thoughts:
One of the most intriguing things about this beer is wondering, before that first sip, what Stone has done with this very classic, very imitated, and very well known style. It got the beer in my cart, and that’s a start, but Stone isn’t one to go traditional. So why such a traditional style?
For one, they label it a “Pilsner for the people,” which is exactly what Pilsners are: delicious crowd pleasers. But that’s not always enough for Stone (you’ve tried Arrogant Bastard, right?). I think they wanted to stand out in a sometimes boring world of American Pilsners. And they did. The choice of hops make it fruity, citrusy, and floral, as Americans like it, similar to a Pale Ale. But they also made it sessionable—another thing that’s rare in their beefy line-up.
This beer is interesting, intriguing, and not boring like some recreated Pilsners are, but calling it an American Pilsner, as they did, gives Stone a great opportunity (and leeway) to be Stone and play with hops in all sorts of interesting ways to produce an interesting and good summer beer for the people.
Pilsner purists may not like it, but something tells me Stone doesn’t care.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew