Bear Republic Double Aught Lager

Brewed by Bear Republic Brewing Company
Style: Pilsener
Healdsburg, California USA

Tap at Rattle’n’Hum. Totally unfiltered pour. Citrusy, lightly smoky aroma, notes of broccoli and toast. Weirdly sweet ctirus flavor, with an unusually thick body for the style. Oxidized and tomato sauce notes are apparent. I’m having trouble seeing how this could be considered a pilsener.

Poured a hazy yellow, little head. A hoppier version of a pilsner. Mine didn’t taste the same way as everybody elses.

On tap at Toronado. Clear light yellow with almost no head. Cereal grain and vanilla malt aroma and taste.

Part of a 4 sampler at Redbones, on tap. Tastes like Keystone and looks like it too - I think I’m just not made to enjoy pilseners. Less carbonation than a Keystone and a touch darker. Just not a fan.

This just won a bronze medal at the GABF and I was anxious to see how good it really was. So I got a pint of this at the Bear Republic Brewpub in Healdsburg on my trip through there yesterday. The pour was a clear gold color with a small white head typical of a pub pour, and very sticky lacing The nose is very crisp with malts and grassy hops leaping out to greet you. The mouthfeel is about as clean and smooth as a beer can get, and the flavor shows caramel malts, nice complex hops with citrus, flowers, and some banana. The finish on the beer is remarkable, with a light bitterness that lingers. This is a remarkable beer, and while in a way it reminds me of Pilsner Urquel it is superior in every way, which is probably why it won a medal. Seems to me to be about as perfect as a pilsener can get.