Imperial Pilsener - Beer Camp #43 - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

vinhgoh

3.35/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer is the first imperial pilsner I've ever had.

I picked up the Beer Camp 12pk from the local store, seemed pretty interesting.

Pour: not overly carbonates, golden color, not much foam.

Smell: Not a really strong smell, took quite a few sniffs. Pineapple notes as well as citrus notes.

Taste: Definitely taste the citrus followed by a refreshing bitter after taste (not too overwhelming or anything)

Mouthfeel: light carbonation

I like this because its easy to drink...after all its a pilsner. What distinguishes it is the taste. Overall, nothing really special about it. But easy to drink...

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 09:34:19 | More by vinhgoh

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.61/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a clear medium golden yellow in color with a very light amount of fine visible sediment in suspension, light amounts of visible carbonation, and some medium yellow highlights. The beer has a finger tall bright white head that reduces to a very large patch of very thin film and a very thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of bready malts with some floral and herbal hops.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of bready malts with some light to moderate notes of grassy and herbal hops. There are some lighter flavors of floral hops. All of the hops contribute a light amount of bitterness which fades pretty quickly. Light hints of alcohol in the finish.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Clean.

O: It is a little surprising that the taste of alcohol is not more well hidden considering the ABV on this beer is not really that high. I would have enjoyed it more if the alcohol was more well hidden, otherwise this is an average beer for the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 22:34:56 | More by dbrauneis

soze47

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +12.4%

03-16-2013 14:50:22 | More by soze47

NYR_Rob

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

03-09-2013 03:30:43 | More by NYR_Rob

Lawl3ss

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Somehow this one ended up on my imperial shelf instead of the drink-this-soon area; whoops. Should have known, that blue label was out of place. Well, let's see how it's held up.

Chilled 12 oz. bottle into a shaker pint.

Look- Deep straw with two fingers of frothy white foam that settles quickly. OK lacing.

Smell- Bready, melon rind, something of an adjunct wheaty feel. Strongly reminds me of Middle Age's Swallow Wit.

Taste- Definitely hoppier then your average pilsener, crusty French bread and floral notes. Finishes clean, faintest hint of honey.

Mouthfeel- Medium body, crisp feel. Average drinking for 5-6% ABV, chewier than expected. On the whole, it feels a bit heftier than I recall from a few months back.

Overall- It's actually done pretty well, but again it's been in the fridge for the last six months. Certainly not bad, but not something I'd gravitate towards.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 09:03:52 | More by Lawl3ss

Newbiebeer

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

01-19-2013 01:56:15 | More by Newbiebeer

Leinie

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

01-13-2013 01:45:34 | More by Leinie

KFrank729

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +26.4%

01-02-2013 19:34:01 | More by KFrank729

ESPNman

California

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a near-clear golden yellow with one finger of fluffy white head. Not much retention.

S - Much more hops than I would expect from a pilsner, but the hops are balanced nicely with a solid wheaty malt nose. It's like smelling a grapefruit that's rubbed all over with rolled oats.

T - More citrus hops and bready malts. Superbly balanced brew that doesn't stray too far into the bitter, and manages to avoid being overly bready or sweet.

M - Relatively thin for an "imperial" pilsner. It drinks like the 5.6% ABV, easy and with a fairly dry finish.

O - A solid addition to the beer camp line. I definitely enjoyed this one, and would gladly pick up a 6-pack to bring to a poker game or a tailgate. A beer that can be enjoyed by both beeradvocate regulars as well as light beer lovers.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 01:14:00 | More by ESPNman

sendbeer

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

12-15-2012 05:58:02 | More by sendbeer

runlikeakenyan

Indiana

4/5  rDev +12.4%

12-13-2012 12:04:19 | More by runlikeakenyan

stabbingcontest

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%

12-04-2012 01:34:56 | More by stabbingcontest

chinchill

South Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz 2012 bottle served in lager glass.
Pours a yellow gold color with a proportionate white head. The head is reasonably durable and partially coats the glass with lacing. Clear with visible carbonation.

Flawless (but see below) execution of style, with excellent hop/malt balance in keeping with style, albeit more hoppy than average.

M: rather lively and crisp with a semi-dry finish. Near medium body

A very fine pilsner, but not as bold or strong as expected for an "imperial" pilsner.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 23:59:22 | More by chinchill

metter98

New York

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear golden yellow in color and has a slight amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high bright white head that died down and left lacing on the surface.
S: There are aromas of floral hops and bready malts in the nose along with some notes of herbal hops.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has flavors of floral and grassy hops along with some hints of bready malts and a light amount of bitterness. There are some hints of alcohol in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and somewhat clean on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is an average pilsner, although I would have enjoyed it more if I didn't taste any alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 17:03:39 | More by metter98

tizride

California

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%

10-21-2012 01:49:30 | More by tizride

WoodburyMN

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

10-11-2012 14:51:47 | More by WoodburyMN

Nage37

California

4/5  rDev +12.4%

10-07-2012 22:30:27 | More by Nage37

Apellonious

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz from beer camp 12 pack.

A - pours a clear golden yellow, with one finger head.

S - bread, pine

T - taste of mild biscuit, malt

M - decent for a pilsner, which tend to be overly thin. Carbonation is mild.

O - A good, if not noteworthy, pilsner.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 00:31:40 | More by Apellonious

Jmick28

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

09-26-2012 04:56:25 | More by Jmick28

jimmah120

Minnesota

3.18/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle no date into pint

Look is pale gold orange with a sudsy head that fades to a slightly sticky film. Smell is saltine crackers, muted earthy hops, some clove, dry leaves. Taste is earthy floral hops, medicinal in their bitterness, dry crackers, dust, dry leaves. Slight 7-Up flavor I'm probably imagining. Feel is light medium well carbonated and easily drinkable.

Tasty beer, but with some odd, off-putting notes of metallic dry bitterness, and dry leaves. Still remains extremely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 10:44:11 | More by jimmah120

kaelingirl

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +12.4%

09-21-2012 02:24:15 | More by kaelingirl

mrebeka

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

09-18-2012 02:57:58 | More by mrebeka

brez8791

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%

09-16-2012 15:06:19 | More by brez8791

Humulus85

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Going to Beer Camp today! Reviewing all four of 2012's SN Beer Camp. Up first #43 Imperial Pilsner. 12 oz bottle into my tasting snifter.

Pours a crystal clear straw yellow. About a finger and a half of bone white head displayed nice retention with some great lacing.

Very clean, very light in the nose. Grassy/herbal noble hops blend with pilsen malt.

Follows the nose. Very crisp and clean. Noble hops upfront, bready pilsen malt in the middle, finishes slightly bitter. Tastes like a good Pilsner, but lacks the depth and amount of flavor I expected from the term "Imperial".

Classic Pilsner. Light in body, well carbonated, slightly dry, no alcohol, finishes clean.

Overall this is a very tasty beer, but far from extraordinary. Hits all the right notes, but doesn't wow. If it was a regular offering I probably wouldn't seek it out, to many better Pilsners out there. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 20:54:14 | More by Humulus85

buzze40

Illinois

3/5  rDev -15.7%

09-12-2012 01:42:34 | More by buzze40