FOAM Pilsner - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Churchkey. Served in a pilsner glass. Pours clear yellow-golden with a nice white head. Good retention and plenty of lacing. The nose carries a good dose of continental hops. A bit spicy with nice floral character. Delicate. Flavor has crisp malt underneath some biting hops. Good floral hop presence throughout. Very crisp and concise. A very well done pilsner.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2012 19:07:10 | More by Thorpe429

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

"I'm looking through and it all would be so crystal clear if it wasn't for the foam." - Phish

@ Victoria's Station in Salem. Didn't expect to find one-off beers there. I hear tell FOAM was brewed for Phish's performance at Bonnaroo.

For a beer called foam it sure doesn't have much of it. Head dies within the first few minutes. Clear, deep gold color.

Smells and tastes really clean. Some dough to the aroma but pretty neutral. Taste is, again, clean and neutral with some raw dough and subtle hop spice. Full body.

For a music festival in the hot Tennessee sun a guess a fine pils is in order but for a beer called foam I was expecting a big headed BSPA gusher or heady saison.

One of my least favorite Phish songs by the way.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2012 00:04:47 | More by donkeyrunner

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap, Pours a clear golden color with a half inch of head. Aroma is grassy with some grains and lemon. Some lacing. The taste is cut grass, lemon peel and malts. A bit floral at the end. Light, crisp mouthfel with alot of carbonation. Extremely drinkable. Somewhat sweet and bready. Overall, decent beer I'd have again during the summer months. Reminds me a bit of Sierra Nevada Summerfest.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2012 16:51:06 | More by PicoPapa

Kendo

New York

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from teh growler into a pilsner glass. Body is clear yellow, with plenty of bubbles rising nicely to reinforce a 1-finger bright white head.

S: Some bread dough and cereal grains provide the malt profile, while the hops provide a bit of grassiness, some generic fruitiness and mild lemony citrus.

T: Cereal grains up front with a touch of sweetness. Herbal, grassy and modestly lemony citrus hops provide bitterness that balances it out. Lingering crisp bitterness. Reminds me in that way of Sixpoint's "The Crisp." Lighter in flavors than many of the PA pilsners I usually drink (e.g. Victory, Troegs, etc.).

M: Light-to-medium in heft (on the lighter side of the scale). Carbonation is finely prickly, but active (I got some up my nose by accident, an interesting experience).

O: Light, easy-drinking and refreshing - a good summer or lawnmower beer, or one that I'd enjoy drinking at an outdoor music festival in the heat, so the Phish tie-in is appropriate.

Serving type: growler

08-31-2012 22:35:50 | More by Kendo

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap, served in a pint glass

Pours a clear light golden yellow with a paper white thick two finger cap. Some good lacing and big sip marks. The nose is of some honey, clean pilsner malt, floral notes, and some grass. The flavor profile mimics the nose. Clean lightly sweet malt with a prominent earth presence. Fresh cut grass and floral bitterness in the finish. Light mouthfeel with high carbonation. The finish is mildly bitter, clean, crisp, and dry. This is a great beer for the summer heat.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2012 21:27:14 | More by ColForbinBC

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

16 ounce pint - $5.25 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Served a perfectly clear, lemon-hued body housing steady streams of effervescence underneath a fine, snow white head.

Smell: Pils malt yielding accents of dough, gently toasted grains while the hops bring notes of spice, peppery herbs, and mild citrus.

Taste: Grainy pilsner maltiness, lightly doughy, grainy, with just enough sweetness. Spicy, herbal, minutely citrusy hops with sufficient bitterness to perfectly balance things out. Finishes smooth yet crisp.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. A notch above medium carbonation for a pleasing crispness.

Overall: Very refreshing, very enjoyable. I couldn't care less about Phish if I tried, but this was a nice pils, SN.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2012 22:39:37 | More by ChainGangGuy

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brief head that leaves some streaky lace. Color is straw with the mildest of hazes.

Raw grainy freshly gristed malt aroma with a flowery hop background. Mild.

Crisp with a rounded swallow. Interesting. Tastes of raw grain and a touch of oats. The swallow features a moderate peppery bite from the hop. There's some berry sweetness in the flavor. Very refreshing on a hot humid day.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2012 19:08:04 | More by smcolw

elgiacomo

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

32oz Growler from Beverage World. Served at around 40-45F.

Pours almost clear yellow with a one finger white head that recedes to a light cap and doesn’t leave much lacing behind.

Aroma is grassy, noble hops, a hint floral, some bready/cracker malt. Good strength.

Flavor is grassy, noble hops, decent bit of light malt sweetness, decent bit of bitterness on the finish.

Mouthfeel is light bodied, a touch sticky, good carbonation.

Very nice Pilsner, Crisp, super easy drinking. Hoppy, but still balanced.

Serving type: growler

07-29-2012 01:29:12 | More by elgiacomo

Kromes

Georgia

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler from Ale Yeah! in Roswell, GA during the Sierra Nevada tap takeover. Being a Phish fan, I had to grab a growler of FOAM.

A: A clear straw color with a fluffy white head. fluffhead?

S: Sweet honey malt and a floral and grassy hop.

T: The malt starts out a little sweet and with a little grain. The hop then comes in a provides a grassy flavor and bitterness to balance out the malt. Finish is a touch bitter with some lingering grain.

M: Medium body, which was a surprise, with good peppery carbonation. Bitter in the finish.

O: A little bit more bitter than other Pilseners. After the initial few sips, it all blends rather nicely.

Serving type: growler

07-28-2012 18:57:59 | More by Kromes

UCLABrewN84

California

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at The Surly Goat in West Hollywood, CA.

Pours a clear yellow with a white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks and dots form randomly around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and some slight corn/vegetal aromas. Taste is much the same but there is a nice herbal hop finish with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is easy to drink and has a better flavor than aroma in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 04:44:09 | More by UCLABrewN84

HEADYdb

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

drinkin a FOAM watchin the Phish drop that plinko funk, doesnt get much better. def the best beer on tap at super ball IX in the beers of the world tent. phish should bring this beer on tour with them. if you ever have a chance to taste this beer, or see the phish, i highly recommend seizing the opportunity. im lookin in and it all would be so crystal clear if it wasnt for the foam!

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2012 04:18:56 | More by HEADYdb

CampusCrew

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was one of the beer I had at the Sierra Nevada beer dinner at Kickbacks. Nice. big pilsner fan. Lived in czech rep. great repsrestation of style. big body for style. nice hop balance. Was a great night. Had amazingly paired food with one of my all time favorite breweries. I would love to have this beer again as well as others from the night.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2011 21:00:39 | More by CampusCrew

phichifiji00

California

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into pint glass.

Appearance: light amber, clear, pours 1/2 finger of thick white head that fades quickly.

Smell: Malty, hoppy, hints of citrus, crystal malt, hint of pine resin.

Taste: Malty throughout, bready in the middle, bitter finish,

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, good carbonation, crisp, creamy.

Overall: A tasty pilsner. Nothing crazy going on here, but well executed. Drinkability is high.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2011 17:06:02 | More by phichifiji00

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This review is from a tasting I had of this in July at the Phish Superball Festival - Watkins Glenn, NY. Yes, I know its a few months old in my mind now, but I wanted to write a few things down on what I remember, plus I highly doubt I will ever have the opportunity to drink again...If I do, I will update. I was deff loking forward to having this brew as it was brewed in honor of my favorite band.

From what I remember, it poured a light crisp golden color. Nice Foam for a pils...(I guess thats why they call it FOAM)...or maybe its for Phish?? :)
Anyway, It was actually a pretty decent tasting pils from what I remember. Super easy to drink, tastey, and a bit higher ABV than some other pils being offered at a place like a festy...I had a bunch of these throughout the weekend.
Id really like to have again and review live.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2011 13:41:25 | More by DrinkSlurm

Gavage

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: golden yellow in color with a slight haze to it. 1/2" head lasts a bit.

Smell: some grass and bread is all you can detect here.

Taste: bready malt, bits of grass, some green apples, and a moderate bitterness makes up a simple but tasty pils.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Very crisp throughout. Short lasting afftertaste.

Overall: I found this to be very drinkable and nicely refreshing. Not a beer to blow you away, but a very solid offering.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 22:12:10 | More by Gavage

oline73

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at Max's. Poured into a sample glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear golden light amber with fluffy white head and a mild amount of lacing.

Smell: Very mild. Crisp pils malt with a sweet honey note.

Taste: Light and very easy to drink. It definitely has that distinctive pilsner taste. Bready grain with a mild hop bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: Admittedly, this isn't my favorite style, but I really enjoyed this beer. Super easy to drink. I would definitely have another.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 23:34:41 | More by oline73

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Cole's. Served initially too cold, its true balance and flavour reveals itself as it warms to room temperature. Light yellow,and lacey, but yet spot on and so drinkable. Very good dinkability. Very good malting that adds to the mild but significant bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 00:37:27 | More by northyorksammy

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.47/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Max's for Baltimore Beer Week.

The beer pours a solid gold color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is all pils goodness, showcasing honey, bread dough, graham cracker and white pepper. The nose on this beer is just classic pils. On the palate, this beer is every bit as good, with a snappy, thirst quenching bitterness on the finish. Otherwise, the flavor profile replicates the nose beautifully. So much flavor in a 5.6% beer... this is fantastic stuff. Mouthfeel is medium bodied at most, with a crisp, thirst quenching, bitter finish. Alcohol is completely undetectable... this is such an easy drinking beer.

This is about as good as it gets in a domestic pils, and is clearly right up there with the best from Victory, Troegs and Stoudt. This beer truly shows the capabilities of the brewers at SN. Just excellent...

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 18:57:25 | More by johnmichaelsen

BrewCrew2010

New York

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had it on-tap at the Local in Saratoga Springs, NY.

A: Pours a brillant clear, golden body, allowing one to see some visible carbonation. I don't know if it was the waitress' fault (both times), but no head except a small white ring around the edge of the glass.

S: A nice cracker-like aroma balanced with some grassy hops. Slightly sweet from pale malts, but has notes of some spices.

T: Sweet bready malts upfront with a hint of grassy and herbal hops to give it the necessary bitterness. Some spices in the middle with notes of some grains in the middle. Finishes dry and almost a cracker-like finish.

M: Light body; lots of carbonation; crisp and clean mouthfeel.

O: I hope to see this one around more. Extremely easy to drink, had two in one sitting, and if it weren't for the fact they ran out, I would have had more. One of the better German Pilseners I've had in a long time.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2011 16:39:51 | More by BrewCrew2010

JizackFH

New York

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler of this earlier tonight at Bierkraft in Brooklyn, NY. This is apparently brewed for Phish music festivals.

A - This beer pours a nice clear golden straw color. It has a big fluffy 3-finger white head on it. The head has really good retention, and it leaves behind quite a bit of scattered lace on the glass.

S - It smells of biscuity pilsner malt up front. There is a nice floral hop presence, that adds a bit of spiciness as well. There are also some earthy grassy aromas too it.

T - The taste starts off with some bready malts and a touch of sweetness. There is a nice hop presence that adds some spiciness as well as some mild bitterness. There is a nice earthy grassiness in the background as well. The finish is somewhat dry and clean.

M - This has a medium body and good carbonation. It goes down smooth and has a nice crisp feel to it. There is some hop spiciness, as well as some bitterness. I found this to be very refreshing. It dries out in the finish which is quite clean.

O - This has very good drinkability. It goes down easy, and I could drink glass after glass of this on a hot summer day. Very refreshing. Overall, I thought this was a very nice pilsner. This is the third or so pilsner I have had by Sierra Nevada, and they have all been solid. Anyways, I really enjoyed this one, and I recommend giving it a shot if you come across it.

Serving type: growler

09-09-2011 10:51:37 | More by JizackFH