Emersons Pilsner

Brewed by Emersons Brewing Company
Style: Pilsener
Dunedin, New Zealand

The beez neez as far as Australasian lager brewing goes, and its obvious to me how much work went into this one, making me envious that it is brewed across the Tasman. Exceptionally well made would be an understatement, but it was one that came at a price as I couldn’t imagine downing a dozen in a session unless someone else was paying! Tasted from the bottle into a large flute glass. It was very lively on the pour, a moments lapse in concentration saw it spew out all over the table. Huge and constantly reforming, fluffy white, cauliflower head that lasted (mostly obscuring things as it tasted very bitter!) and left globs of irregular lace patterns down the sides. Sea-weed, fresh mowed grass and chives in the aroma with fresh summery fruits mingling in to make it all work. Juicy mangoes, cantaloupes and mashed guava fruits made for quite and enticing waft that continued to rise from the glass as I sipped. Instantly (?) bitter and quenchingly biting mix of fruits in the mouth. Juicy fresh fruit salad flavours with light notes of buttery yeast (seemed to compliment) and an even lighter balance of sweet malt upfront. Piney and very spicy, grassy hops took over in the back giving it a lovely bitter finish that remained fresh, even as it warmed. This was honestly a wonderfully balanced drop, I could drink it all day with each one getting even better. The price is said to soon be lowering here in Oz and I am anticipating that moment. Cheers to another!!! (50cL, BBE 06/07)

Before I begin, much thanks to Danny from Dunedin for the bottle! Clear, lightly hazed neon-green, with a lasting 1/4" of foam resting nicely on-top. Gorgeous nose. A hop profile that almost impersonates an American Pale Ale...but that’s the next beer...fresh citrusy hops, vibrant piney feel, dang, I’m lovin’ it...quite unique for a Pilsner, or any beer not out of Oregon or California, really! Now, to drink...smooth, crisp, and light, easy going on the palate, but just tasty enough to enliven the senses and keep the enthusiasm up throughout the contents of the bottle. Hops linger lightly on the buds, and through the finish, and flavors continue to unfold, apples, lemon, pineapple. This is not a run-of-the-mill pils by any means, and I’m wondering if they used any ale yeast in this, or if it’s just the hops. Who cares, it’s great! After just having a crappy "light" beer, I’m turning metaphoric cartwheels about this one. If this is what "organic" beers can be, I say, "yes, please, more, please!"

Strong, spicy hop nose. Clear golden body is topped by a dense and generous, pillowy, white head that lasts well and laces. Citrus-lemon character up front in the flavour with some cereal malts beneath and moderate, crisp bitterness. Medium light body with lively effervescence that engages the tongue. Bottle sampled at Øl Baren in Copenhagen.

Slightly different label and 4.9% ABV. Pours a slightly hazy pale amber gold with a medium size and medium lasting cream head. Aroma is floral perfumed hop with hint of rosewater and butterscotch. Reminds me more of an American pale ale then a pils. Medium thin crisp body with realtively low, almost cask ale-like carbonation. Flavour is faint low sweetness malt and medium herbal floral hop bitter. The bitter dimension also has an intruiging mild grapefruit rind character about it. Finish is medium strong bitter pushing you for that next mouthful - I kinda like that. Very different to most pils and certainly up there as one of my favourites

Bottle
Characterfull aromatic hops - pine, grass, citric notes and flowers. Pale green golden, unfiltered, foamy lacing white head. Body is on the light side, mouthfeel rather fizzy. Interresting herbal, citric and flowery hop profile though - perhaps a bit overdone. Flowery perfumed finish. Nice with a flavorfull low-alcohol pils - I must admit I do like a somewhat plainer hop offering though.

Bottled, sampled during the RBESG -05. Clear golden with a big white head, a beauty to look at! Fresh, dewy citrusy nose, bit grassy. Herbal, citrusy falvour with great crispy malt profile. Finish is nicely dry. Very refreshing!

Clear gold with a large white head. Lovely spicy hop nose. Grassy with sweet honey malts. Flavour starts with clean malts, and a very long soft hoppy finish. Great herbal spicy notes. So refreshing, my favourite lager yet.

Clear bright golden pour with a huge rocky white head. Well-carbonated. Light fruits, floral hops, and pilsner malt were prevalent in the aroma, and blended very well together. Crisp and very clean on the palate. Floral hops blended will with the pils malt for the flavor. Very refreshing and expertly crafted!