Sticke Pilsner - Beer Camp #43 (Best Of Beer Camp: Imperial Pilsner) - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.71/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

"Packing a big hop-forward punch and bright crisp finish, this golden pilsner features a hearty dose of "sticky" resinous Crystal and Pacifica dry hops, which balance the light-bodied yet complex malt backbone." Beer Camp #43 2012. Available in bottles as part of the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp 2012 mix pack as well as on tap at select locations.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a Pint Glass. Served north of 46º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a thick frothy cream white head with thin spotty lacing over a slightly golden yellow body with high clarity. Very light carbonation, surprisingly low for any pilsner. Surface cover is consistent and retention is slightly above average- the beer is largely inviting. 4

(Smell) Aromas are very similar to my impressions of a German-style Pilsener. Clean crystal malt with a mild citrusy hop profile and some resinous grassy blends mesh together well. The hop presence isn't as forward as I had expected from the label but of what is here, it's bright and lively. A touch of honey and some lesser acidic notes are also present. Altogether it's a bright and enjoyable aroma- there are certainly no major flaws to be had here. 3.75

(Taste) A nice biscuity german malt, mild peppery spice and lightly toasted caramel blend create some mild body and sweetness. It isn't much unlike other German Pilsener options, although the sweetness is a little more forward. The beer is in very nice balance with substantial hop bitterness- the sweetness ultimately still comes out on top. A resinous piney hop finish is certainly a notable quality- whereas most other options are grassy and floral, this one certainly tastes resinous, lemon citrusy slightly herbal in spots, but it is a welcome variation for this style and works with the flavors. Despite coming out slightly sweet and short a notch on hop bitterness, the flavors are all enjoyable and the beer is highly drinkable. 3.75

(Mouthfeel) Mildly peppery with a touch of sweetness and herb on the mild drying finish. Carbonation is a bit shallow for the style, very low participating relaxed crispness. Body is medium+ for the style and light+ overall. Alcohol presence is low. Again, the carbonation should be more spritely for the style regardless of how the recipe varies- this one is a bit muted in intensity. 3.25

(Overall) Some less common hop choices makes this a more interesting Pilsener recipe for the craft beer crowd, and I was able to pull out a few distinct hop notes that I don't often think of. Whether they were intentional or not doesn't matter, as they worked quite well for the beer. Despite a minor issue in balance (it was a touch sweet, which slightly hampered drinkability) and a less-than-energetic mouthfeel, I was pleasantly surprised by this first edition in the Beer Camp variety pack. Should you find this in a store, it's still good, so it's worth a try. 3.75

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's
Beer Camp #43 2012: Imperial Pilsner
3.71/5.00

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 21:01:02 | More by Jadjunk

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-20-2013 16:05:01 | More by InspectorBob

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +5.8%

05-12-2013 17:15:01 | More by mikeburd1128

Iamstryker

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +5.8%

05-12-2013 03:26:05 | More by Iamstryker

cadaugherty

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-09-2013 00:05:05 | More by cadaugherty

blknikon

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

04-30-2013 19:51:37 | More by blknikon

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

04-29-2013 00:37:09 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

runlikeakenyan

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

04-28-2013 11:51:21 | More by runlikeakenyan

randylangford

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.8%

04-09-2013 00:28:37 | More by randylangford

Cresant

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured this 12 oz. into a Samuel Adams glass. 2012 Beer Camp release (from notes). The body was straw colored and clear. The head was thin and bright white.

The smell was grainy. Hay. Sulfur. Skunky in a good, noble hops way. Subtle aromas.

The taste was intense noble hops! bold and grainy. Really leafy and fresh.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied and carbonated. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 15:56:32 | More by Cresant

DMc8ride

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

03-28-2013 22:25:31 | More by DMc8ride

Chucker17

South Dakota

3.25/5  rDev -14%

03-19-2013 18:18:58 | More by Chucker17

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +5.8%

03-13-2013 05:38:28 | More by Zachtheporter

CEDAMA

California

4.5/5  rDev +19%

03-12-2013 01:55:11 | More by CEDAMA

His_Royal_Hoppiness

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

03-10-2013 21:50:37 | More by His_Royal_Hoppiness

jamiecoppin

North Dakota

3/5  rDev -20.6%

03-10-2013 17:35:06 | More by jamiecoppin

SenorHops

Rhode Island

3.25/5  rDev -14%

03-06-2013 20:31:02 | More by SenorHops

bubseymour

Maryland

4/5  rDev +5.8%

03-01-2013 12:19:16 | More by bubseymour

Blanco

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.8%

02-19-2013 04:28:55 | More by Blanco

DIPAFAN

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

02-18-2013 20:45:18 | More by DIPAFAN

Thedrizzle

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

02-16-2013 00:46:56 | More by Thedrizzle

JohnnyFire44094

4/5  rDev +5.8%

02-15-2013 03:48:36 | More by JohnnyFire44094

tsco7

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%

02-13-2013 18:58:26 | More by tsco7

robertrunner

California

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

02-11-2013 03:27:35 | More by robertrunner

isualum12

Idaho

4.39/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great beer....
I have had this beer for the second time this month and have really enjoyed it both times. This is easy one of the best pilsner I have had.

Look very light yellow glow in color. Low head with spider legs.
Smell is slightly fresh fruit or floral.
Taste iss refreshing.

Feel is classic pils.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 03:59:27 | More by isualum12