Terrapin All-American Imperial Pilsner

Formerly brewed at Terrapin Beer Company
Style: European Strong Lager
Athens, Georgia USA

Pours very clear and deep gold with a white head. The smell is thick with sweet doughy malts and a bit of fruit - almost like buttery raisin bread toast. The flavor is sweet and with a healthy flavor of floral hops and lager yeast (more like an uber-marzen than an uber-pilsner). The finish is somewhat dry with some hop bitterness. The finish isn’t completely dry though thanks to the very full body of the beer. There is a hint of alcohol in the aftertaste. The beer is pretty good - but seeing the term "Imperial Pilsner" definitely had me hoping for a nose more like Dulle Tev (not a pilsner for sure - but it has an aroma that exploded with Saaz hops - Saaz being the typical hop variety in authentic Czech pilsners).

The head disappears quickly, but a steady, slow moving stream of bubbles continues upwards during the course of the drinking. The aroma is buttered bread and a light floral hopping. At this point it comes across more like a Premium Lager, but once in the mouth, the alcohol says, "Okay, it’s a European Stronmg Lager." The flavor is sweet bready malt, a touch of corn (even though the commercial description says no adjuncts), a light floral bitterness, and a lurking alcohol presence. Not bad.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Street Market, Raleigh, NC<font size=-1>

Bottle from TBC2: Yellow/gold with a small white head. Aroma, some floral hops, malty. Flavor, light sweet maltiness, floral bitterness, some slight breadiness as well. Pretty solid, helps that I’m thirsty.

Bottle from cbkschubert. Yellow color with strong malty aroma. Thick body with rich sweet malty flavor. Mild dry hoppy finish. Did I mention that this beer was very malty?? Thanks to Craig for the bottle.

Yellow/gold, with a white head. Aromas are hops and malt, with a little bit of fruit. Flavors are fruit, hops, malt, sugar and a floral touch. Another eally nicely done brew by Terrapin. Thanks to LeopoldStoch for this bottle.

I don’t know how I forgot to rate this beer!!! Hazy golden color. Foamy white head. spicy malt aroma. Lots of malt balanced with the right amount of HOPS. Nice bitter floral finish. PERFECT SUMMER SPECIAL!

Bottle. Poured a nice golden color with a white head that settled to a ring. Initial sniffs of dough but as it settled more malts were picked up. As it warmed the aroma went to fruits. The flavor found oranges and other citrus, floral, and a malt background. Medium body with light to medium bitterness throughout.

10/08/2006: 2006 bottle from illinismitty. My first Terrapin beer - Thanks Sean! Dark golden color, clear. Lively carbonation with a foamy pale yellow head. Aroma is malt with slight citrus hop as well. It smells strong and intiviting. Flavor is malty, slightly sweet, and a floral/pepper/citrus hop bitterness. The alcohol is warming, but well hidden. Finish is crisp with a very nice hoppy bitterness. Medium to full body with a slight syrup quality that has a nice coating effect and is very smooth. I really enjoyed this beer and really look forward to trying the other Terrapin beers from illinismitty (Rye Squared and Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout). 12 oz bottle (2006, 7.5% alcohol).

2006 Vintage on 11/12/2007: Hazy golden apricot color with a dense, foamy, beige head. Very floral aroma, hints of aged citrus; sweet toffee malt. Flavor is pleasingly sweet, caramel maltiness; extremely flavorful and balanced. Great orange and floral hoppiness. Mild to moderate bitterness; sweet grapefruit and light apricot flavor that lingers and complements the sweet maltiness so well. Similar to a small barleywine (more English than American). Medium to medium full body, smooth and nearly creamy mouthfeel. This is such a great beer for the style and it has aged nicely and lost very little character. 12 fl. oz. bottle (ALC./VOL. 7.5%, Best if enjoyed before 33806FY) from shrubber85. Thanks Roger!