Gordon Biersch Czech Pilsner

Brewed by Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
Style: Bohemian Pilsener
Palo Alto, California USA

On tap at Annapolis location--identified as "Czech Pilsner" rather than "Czech Lager". Let this one warm up a little. GB seems to serve things too cold. Once it does warm, the flavor really opens up. I loved it. Unusual, in that this beer almost seemed malt-focused, with the hops there only for their considerable bitterness, of both a piercing and blunt variety. I liked that feature, as it really served to highlight the star of the show, which was the malt. The malt was extraordinarily complex--the flavors were primarily that kind of fresh sweetness that I associate with some of my favorite pale lagers. There was a little corny taste in their for good measure. I found it superb.

Tap at the Washington DC restaurant. Amber coloured with a thick white head. I’ve have honestly never come across such a seriously mis-named beer. This is a very nice, very hoppy smelling and tasting beer. With a full bodied , smooth mouthfeel. It tastes nothing like a lager, never mind a Czech one? Judging by the other reviews this version is not much like those available in other of their outlets. It is however excellent.

Pilsner hops aroma with some grain malt smell in the background. Light golden color with a white head that quickly dissipated, little action with a minor hint of sediment suspension. Lots of the Pisner hops flavors up front including some English Tea and a barley grain taste with a hint of butter in the background. Light bodied, slight buttery and watery/resin mix feel, with a tad of astringency and soft carbonation. Good session beer with a lot going on. This is titled Czech Style Pilsner on the bottle, hope it’s the same one. Bought the mixed case at Costco.

This is a great beer as far as pilsners go. Lots of spice in the aroma and flavor. Very dry and crisp. Very nice body massages my tongue. Perfect for a hot afternoon. Well done.

Sampled at Gordon Biersch during RBSG 2006. Pours a darker shade of clear golden with a frothy white head. Grainy aroma with grassy noble hops. Very clean tasting with a pleasant mix of grain, grass, herbs and lemon. Medium bodied with a very smooth texture and lively, proper carbonation. Very, very drinkable and ridiculously satisfying. Although everyone is entitled to their opinions, I have an issue with the gross low ratings on this beer. This is not an easy style to make. As I was discussing with Jsquire, if this was made by some small, tucked-away brewery in Anytown, USA, people would be raving about its subtle complexity and masterfully clean lager flavor in this imperial stout-dominated world. Just because it’s a chain, doesn’t mean it’s shit. I’m not saying your opinions are wrong but try this again with an open mind. I would like to see you attempt brewing this beer without fucking it up royally.

On tap in DC. This was a very refreshing beer. Stiff white head over a golden beer with a light herbal/citrus nose. Clean, crisp lager with lemon and orange citrus and a subtle grass bitterness in the finish. Very drinkable.

Draft - Tyson’s Corner, VA - Perfect clear sparkling gold, lasting creamy white head. Deep spicy sazz hop nose with touches of grass, earth, florals, and hints of nut bread. Tasted just about the same with a very pronounced spicy hop tone throughout. Light to medium bodied, light carbonation, hoppy finish. A great beer to pair with GB’s garlic fries. Tasty and quite drinkable....

Fresh from the tap, pours an unclouded gold, bright white creamy head piles high on the body, lacing provides a tight skirt to cove the glass. Nose sweet with malt, citrus like in its crispness, start has a pleasing malt presence, the hops delectable with their spicy bitterness at the back, top is moderate in feel to the palate. Finish has the customary acidity, the hops understated but pleasingly spicy, quite dry aftertaste, a nice drinking beer, good session beer.
Earlier Rating: 11/4/2007 Total Score: 3.7
Fresh from the tap, pours an unclouded gold, bright white creamy head piles high on the body, lacing provides a tight skirt to cove the glass. Nose sweet with malt, citrus like in its crispness, start has a pleasing malt presence, the hops delectable with their spicy bitterness at the back, top is moderate in feel to the palate. Finish has the customary acidity, the hops understated but pleasingly spicy, quite dry aftertaste, a nice drinking beer, good session beer.