Bagel Beer Plain Pilsner

Formerly brewed at Coast Range Brewing Co.
Style: Pale Lager
Gilroy, California USA

Sadly the age has gotten to this one but I can tell it had potential at one time. The aroma is doughy with some hops. The appearance is deep gold with an amber hue and almost no head or carbonation. The flavor is very bagel like with cardboard and an astringent bitterness. The palate is thin with a metallic aftertaste. I really wish I could have had one fresh, it’s a pity that it’s retired.

Purchased at Cock and Bull Pub in Sarasota about 9 months ago, drank a few days later. It was past date for sure, but held up surprisingly well for a pilsner. Clear gold with a small off white head. Grainy, bready, earthy, a little bit of skunk. Noticed some definite bagel, actually. Balanced, light body, easy drinking.

Poured a medium, light hazy, golden color with virtually no had at all. Aromas of light citrus and light caramel. Tastes of the same. Bread in the aromas and tastes as well (I guess this is the bagel influence). Medium sweet. Not sure why the bottle has this labeled as a pilsner (it tasted nothing like one). Not sure what possessed me to buy this one (must be the gimmick of being brewed with real plain bagels - it worked on me).

Grainy-malty aroma. Lousy label on the 22 oz bomber. Toasted malt, red lager with some syrupy notes, not hoppy. I wouldn’t have categorized this as a pils at all -- more an American dark or a red lager. Medium body, with a somewhat unpleasant cling. Patchouli smell to the bottle.

Light, yet clumpy white head with bubbly lacing. Light golden pour with a little bit of bubble action. Cheap clip-art looking label. Fresh, fruity aroma, slight whiff of nectarines. Full-bodied flavor with some sweet honey notes in the background. Slight taste of white grapes as well. Stays strong throughout the 22 oz bomber. Like the other "bagel" beers by this brewer I can’t detect any bagel flavor. Overall decent for a beer found in a health food store.

Head is initially average sized, frothy, white, fully diminishing. Body is medium yellow. Aroma is lightly malty (grain, bread), lightly hoppy (flowers, grapefruit). Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Light to medium body, watery texture, lively carbonation.

Bottle. Golden color with a foamy off-white head. A bread and dough aroma with a light malt. Medium body, dry, bread, not good. A bagel in the beer is a mistake.

Good body, low-to-moderate carbonation, full flavor, dry finish. I was impressed.