Beer Review #2: Samuel Adams "Noble Pils", Spring Seasonal

For my second review posting I have decided to look at a beer I was skeptical of at first but am quickly becoming a fan of. The Sam Adams Noble Pils is distinctive in its production as it is claimed to have been brewed using all five Noble hop varieties. These include Hallertau Mittelfrueh, Tettnang Tettnanger, Spalt Spalter, and Hersbrucker Hersbrucker. The Noble hop variety from Bohemia in the Czech Republic is Saaz. This is also a spring seasonal, replacing the White Ale normally released. It apparently was chosen during a contest and overwhelmingly voted in.

http://beernews.org/2010/01/samuel-adams-noble-pils-replaces-white-ale-as-spring-seasonal/

Brewed by:

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

ABV: 5.2%

Before the first drink there is an apparent hop aroma that hits the nose upfront. It has a light golden color and is fairly transparent. The head was thick during the pour but quickly diminished into a thin band. Light to slightly medium body, somewhat uncharacteristic for a pilsner. The real character of this beer is definitely the hops. It comprises the overall flavor as well as the aromatic nature of the beer. The mouth-feel seems slightly heavier than one might expect. There is a characteristic malt base that is ubiquitous across most Sam Adams beers ( Boston Lager and oktoberfest come to mind). The hops are not bitter but there is a light citrus aroma and flavorful balance between the hops and malt that work exquisitely well. A dry finish that is not too sweet yet you get a hint of it in the after taste. The earthy malt is very bright at first, somewhat crisp with the initial sips and smooth going down. As a pilsner it is not nearly as dry or one dimensional as others I have come across.

Although this is a lagered Pilsner one might experience the upfront hops and think European style pale ale. Overall, very good and drinkable and one of my go to beers. Summer is coming fast I suspect and this beer won't be around for long, so stock up now...