Foothills Torch Pilsner

Brewed by Foothills Brewing
Style: Bohemian Pilsener
Winston-Salem, North Carolina USA

A fairly unremarkable pilsner, but solid enough. Good with food... brings out some of the subtle floral characteristics of the beer. But damn if I don’t enjoy it more after reading MartinT’s review: "A dash of sulphur passed half way through" ... MartinT is my hero. RERATE: served in a 22oz (German pilsner?) glass at the Federal. More complex than previously assessed, or maybe they’ve improved on it (maybe dirty tap lines the first time?). Mild floral and slightly herbal hops, some nice bready malts. Mild fruit notes. Crisp palate. This will likely be my default beer at the Fed and the Durham Bulls ballpark this summer.

My Bottom Line:
Honeyed hay and grassy, herbal hops merge into this sparkling clean and highly drinkable American take on the Bohemian Pilsener style.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A sheet of foam dips into the clear golden.
-The Saaz bitterness is quite pleasant.
-The spritzy carbonation did not detract from my enjoyment of the pint, yet its intensity was a little too much compared to indigenous versions of the style.
-A dash of sulphur passed by half way through.
-This was well balanced and its Czech heritage was clearly suggested.
-A chewier pils maltiness would have increased my appreciation.

On tap at The Flying Saucer in Charlotte.

Sampled at WBF. Pour: light golden/amber. Thin white head. Aroma: light pale malty, grassy hops. Flavor: grassy hops and crisp dry carbonation. Clean finish.

Underrated pilsener. Had a couple pints at the Federal, Durham, and I find that this compares favorably with Tupper’s Hop Pocket and Victory Prima. It’s not got quite the hoppy bite of those other two (perhaps because it doesn’t use Hallertau hops?), and instead has a really smooth and floral quality, even a bit buttery. But I found this very enjoyable, drinkable but with a pleasing complexity.

Sampled at Capitol City Carnival, 2007. I know everyone’s entitled to their opinions but, man, this beer is very very underrated. Pours an attractive golden with a white head. Pleasant grassy, fresh noble hop aroma. Flavor starts with a nice malty light grainy base then notes of light bread, lemon and grass. Very smooth and tasty with a satiating level of bitterness. Medium bodied, smooth texture and proper lively carbonation. Great BoPils - not sure what more you can ask for.

Draught sample at Capitol City Carnival 2007. Pours to a bright, deep golden color, with a thick, tall, white head, and a vibrant carbonation. The nose is excellent on this beer with aromas of herbal "fresh cut grass", and crisp pilsner malt aroma. The palate is firm, and crisp with good pilsner malt flavor, on a clean, round body. This beer finishes with more good pilsner malt up front, then ends with a very pleasing, herbal/grassy hop bite that lingers. Well done example of pilsner. Very balanced, very round, and clean, and very drinkable.

WBF. Pours a reddish amber with a white head. The aroma is nice grassy hops, substantial. The flavor is sweet, grassy hops, richer than most pilsners.

Sampled at the Capitol City Carnival 2007. Clear dark golden body with a small white head. Sweet saaz aroma. Sweet crisp saaz flavor. An excellent pilsener.