Pours out of the bottle (in a bag, so it’s hidden – these are blind tastings) with a huge ivory head leaving splotchy lace on the sides of the glass. This sample was a gusher – the bottle foamed over when it was opened. The color is typical for a German Pils – a deep straw, but slightly hazy.
Aroma is grainy Pils malt with notes of unsalted crackers. Hops are more of a floral noble German style. The flavor showcases a grainy Pils malt character, with the malt taking a very background role to the substantial bittering and minerality. German Pils is typically brewed with a higher sulfate water, but this sample seems to have even higher than expected levels of sulfate, which also accentuates the hop bittering. Herbal and black pepper are the hop flavors. The sulfate also dries out the finish and brings the hop notes in as a more coarse character.
Carbonation is very high with some residual pineapple fruit notes that may indicate a slight contamination by Brettanomyces.
Overall, this beer has all of the right stuff for a German Pils, but seems overly mineral and overly bitter.