Continuing with my modest anniversary salute to August Schell Brewing, I’ll stay on the light side. Schell’s Pils is a beer for which no lengthy introduction is needed. So I’ll get right down to it. Here’s my notes:

Pils
August Schell Brewing Company, New Ulm, Minnesota
Style: German Pilsner
Serving Style: 12 oz. Bottle

Aroma:  Spicy hops under-girded by grainy sweet and bready malt.

Appearance: Crystal clear and golden colored. Fluffy white head that sticks around for a while, leaving lace on the glass with each sip.

Flavor: Sharp hop bitterness and flavor through and through. The bitterness has bite, but isn’t over the top; it’s a pilsner, not an IPA. Flavorful spicy hops with notes of pepper, fresh herbs, and licorice. Malt remains in the background; sweet and grainy with hints of fresh bread. The finish is dry and biting.

Mouthfeel: Medium body. Medium-high carbonation. Crisp.

Overall Impression: The pronounced hop character and subdued malt make this immediately identifiable as a German style pilsner. And it’s a great example of the style, one that could put many of the locally available German brands to shame. Crisp, light, easy-to-drink. A perfect accompaniment for many foods (I had it with sushi). A classic.