Foothills Torch Pilsner

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

Draft at FB. Translucent, pale golden with glints of creamy whites. Curtains of lace drape across the peaks of the glass when the modest, creamy white head slowly recedes. The aroma is authoritative and quite credible, in regards to its inspirations and heritage. Provocative notes of Saaz hops leap from the glass as I draw it close for what would turn into a very prolonged and involved, ultimately rewarding nosing session. Grains are fresh and seem as if they’re still attached to stalks, sun-drenched and healthy. Grassy notes are well integrated and add to complexity and the fresh vibrancy of the aroma. Light biscuit touches, as well as hints of honey and dried herbs. Alcohol is completely unnoticeable. A marvelous start. The flavor is astonishing; from complex, subtle intracacies to simple fresh results, this beer tastes like it was created yesterday in Plzen. Bitterness is moderate and when coupled with very low acidity and lightly toasty and bready grains, authenticity is remarkable. Light sweetness from malt and alcohol don’t drown out any fresh crispness. The finale exhibits a slight bite and adequate maltiness, finally revealed as hops gently fade away. Grains and hop oils linger indefinitely. The mouthfeel is fantastic too! Light bodied, perfectly smooth while retaining crisp bitterness.

Absolutely the most exciting and delicious Bohemian Pilsener I’ve had the fortune to try. It saddens me to see such a well crafted and skillfully executed pilsner garner so many low ratings. After multiple samples of this I really feel this is an underappreciated and generally misunderstood beer. The same could be said about the style as a whole. A great achievement that will certainly continue along, mostly unheralded, simply because it isn’t a monstrously flavored beer. I loved it.

On tap. A few times around NC, but the best was at the Brewpub. Pours a nice golden with a lasting white head and some lace. Aroma is lightly nutty- good big doughy and fresh bready malts and a nice not too strong herbal and floral hop note. Hops get a bit spicier in the flavor which is nice to cut through the pilsner doughiness, and fresh bread- ok nice green hops, and awesome floral and herbal hop tones. Finishes crisp and clean. Super fresh- a couple other places the beer seemed a bit too creamy, less crisp and more doughy- wheat messy and other things going on with their tap lines. Fresh at the brewpub this was awesome!

On draught at Brewgrass 07. This was a clean, smooth, and slightly hoppy pilsner. This was my first time tasting this and I only had a few sampler size pours so I’ll have to go out and have a pint sometime sooon. Well done and finely drinkable.

Tap at ACBF. Aroma of wood, berries, lemon, herbs, leafy hops. Flavor has many of the same notes with lots of resinous bitterness. Juicy and crisp. Powerful and luscious pils.

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.

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.

Sampled from a growler thanks to boboski on 7/2/06: Pours a clear pale golden with a nicely-lacing thin white head. Has a good, fresh Saaz hoppy aroma with a pale malty sweetness. Body is smooth, lightly toasty and well-hopped. Very authentic, fresh and drinkable. One of the best pilsners I’ve had.

Tap at ACBF 2009: Pale golden with a white film. Dry crackery pils aroma with a mild grassy character. Crisp body and a nice dry flavor. Crackery and very clean- lean but firm with solid saaz zest on the back. What a pils should be. Nice.