-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Phil's Pils
Half Pints Brewing Company
- From:
- Half Pints Brewing Company
- Manitoba, Canada
- Style:
- German Pilsner
- ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 88
- Avg:
- 3.96 | pDev: 7.07%
- Reviews:
- 26
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Apr 17, 2015
- Added:
- May 16, 2007
- Wants:
- 16
- Gots:
- 0
Phil is a friend of good beer, so Phil’s Pils must be an impressive ode to good taste. Thankfully (Phil would say) it’s the opposite of most Pilsners available today. Brewed using two-row pale, melanoidin, and crystal malts, this lager is chock full of malty goodness on top of German hops. His Pils actually tastes like malt & hops – what a novel idea!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by CalgaryFMC from Canada (AB)
3.78/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Tasting notes: Interesting pils-euro lager hybrid? David Miller in his book on "Continental Pilsner" might dub this a "Dutch-Scandinavian pilsner", less dry than the Czech and German takes, and less hoppy as well. Actually, this is quite hoppy. It has some Czech features, at least to my palate. Who knows, really. Pungent grape-like fruity flavor, nutty cereal, grass. Quite a bitter finish with a lime-like mineral bite, notable after such a sweet start. Even getting a little pine. Slightly buttery with moderate carbonation. Pale straw color. Rather enjoyable initially, becoming a little cloying and caustically bitter, an odd combination of traits.
Apr 17, 2015Reviewed by Bunman3 from Canada (AB)
3.9/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.9/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is a very unique take on the Pils style. I really enjoyed the combination of dry hops and honey. The beer pours with an unexpected cloudiness, but delivers a very satisfying combination that is extremely drinkable. Try it, you'll like it!
Dec 28, 2014Reviewed by leaddog from Canada (AB)
3.63/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.63/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - Pours a hazy golden straw with a finger of bubbly white head.
Smell - grassy hops, straw, toasted grains, citrus, bready malts.
Taste - Starts with the grassy hops followed quickly by the straw, toasted grains, bready malts, and citrus.
Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with light to moderate carbonation. Finishes crisp and dry with pleasant bittterness from the grassy hops.
Overall - An interesting concoction that tastes like a combination of a pilsner and lager. What we have is nothing really fancy but is definitely an easy drinker.
Oct 05, 2014Smell - grassy hops, straw, toasted grains, citrus, bready malts.
Taste - Starts with the grassy hops followed quickly by the straw, toasted grains, bready malts, and citrus.
Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with light to moderate carbonation. Finishes crisp and dry with pleasant bittterness from the grassy hops.
Overall - An interesting concoction that tastes like a combination of a pilsner and lager. What we have is nothing really fancy but is definitely an easy drinker.
Reviewed by bylerteck from Canada (ON)
4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pint at the Yellow Dog in Winnipeg. From notes.
A - Poured bright and medium to slightly dark golden. Strong carbonation and a two finger thick white head that left good lace rings and a finger of retention.
S - Grassy, soapy, lot's of noble hop.
T - Lot's of noble hop again with orange, lemon, soap, and grass. Quite soapy but it works.
M - A nice little bitterness is there with a creamy medium body and strong carbonation.
O/D - I always enjoy a good pils. This did the trick. It was easy drinking and really flavourful. Can't ask for much more. Another goodie from Half Pints.
Nov 17, 2011A - Poured bright and medium to slightly dark golden. Strong carbonation and a two finger thick white head that left good lace rings and a finger of retention.
S - Grassy, soapy, lot's of noble hop.
T - Lot's of noble hop again with orange, lemon, soap, and grass. Quite soapy but it works.
M - A nice little bitterness is there with a creamy medium body and strong carbonation.
O/D - I always enjoy a good pils. This did the trick. It was easy drinking and really flavourful. Can't ask for much more. Another goodie from Half Pints.
Reviewed by TheSevenDuffs from Canada (ON)
3.85/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.85/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle courtesy of kjyost. Poured in to pint glass.
A - Light yellow/straw colour with one finger of bubbly white head.
S - Crisp bitterness up front with some light floral notes and some bready/grainy malts in the background.
T - A nice crisp bitterness with some floral and light citrus notes and some bready/grainy malts in the background. A somewhat dry finish.
M - Light body; moderate carbonation.
Jun 24, 2011A - Light yellow/straw colour with one finger of bubbly white head.
S - Crisp bitterness up front with some light floral notes and some bready/grainy malts in the background.
T - A nice crisp bitterness with some floral and light citrus notes and some bready/grainy malts in the background. A somewhat dry finish.
M - Light body; moderate carbonation.
Reviewed by BasementBer from Canada (MB)
4.13/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
4.13/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Fantastic. This is definitely the beer i look forward to most, which i can count on being released by the brewery.
reviewing spring(it sure doesnt feel like summer yet!) 2011 edition.
A: Light straw yellow pale body with good head retention and medium carbonation.
S: Grainy and sweet malts, the honey notes add to the multiple effects in this lager.
T: One of those tastes that makes you check the glass again to see that your not drinking a brown ale as the sweet malt is really uncharacteristic of the pilsener in the name. Very good hopping ratio as only great pils can deliver.
M: Bitter rests in the pockets and the sweet malt plays a bit of jazz on the tongue.
D: Phil's gonna be a happy camper if hes anything like me.
May 26, 2011reviewing spring(it sure doesnt feel like summer yet!) 2011 edition.
A: Light straw yellow pale body with good head retention and medium carbonation.
S: Grainy and sweet malts, the honey notes add to the multiple effects in this lager.
T: One of those tastes that makes you check the glass again to see that your not drinking a brown ale as the sweet malt is really uncharacteristic of the pilsener in the name. Very good hopping ratio as only great pils can deliver.
M: Bitter rests in the pockets and the sweet malt plays a bit of jazz on the tongue.
D: Phil's gonna be a happy camper if hes anything like me.
Reviewed by marty21 from Canada (MB)
4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours a deep golden with two fingers worth of white fluffy head. Settles to a nice cap and left quite a bit of lacing.
S: Good amount of hops in the nose with faint light malt in the background.
T: Initially a good amount of hops but then the grains take over. With some honey and grains for the after taste.
M: Light to medium carbonation with a light body.
O: This is one of my favorite beers from Half Pints. You still get a good amount of hops but it’s light enough for a hot summer day.
Feb 05, 2011S: Good amount of hops in the nose with faint light malt in the background.
T: Initially a good amount of hops but then the grains take over. With some honey and grains for the after taste.
M: Light to medium carbonation with a light body.
O: This is one of my favorite beers from Half Pints. You still get a good amount of hops but it’s light enough for a hot summer day.
Reviewed by LilBeerDoctor from New York
3.97/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Reviewed on 1/29/2010. Bottle thanks to DalzAle. Pours a slightly hazy dirty light orange with a small white head. Aroma of light fruits, melon rind, crisp pale malts, honey. Flavor is initially rather sweet - honey, sweet malt, floral hops, light fruits, light citrus hops, tons of herbal notes - with a toasted pale malt and bitter finish. Very nice pilsener with lots of complex flavors. Much more interesting than your average pilsener. Well done!
Dec 23, 2010Reviewed by andrenaline from Canada (ON)
4.15/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.15/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours a slightly hazy golden orange colour, finger of head with mild retention, and some nice sticky lacing. Carbonation in the body is visible and very appetizing.
S - The grassy malts are complemented by some sweet lemon iced tea hops. The sweetness is predominant on the finish and is quite pleasing on the nose.
T - Again, grassy malts dominate off the top, but the bitter hops come through very nicely, almost overpowering the pilsener flavour. I love the hoppy twist on the Pils and quite suiting of the Euro Pale Style. They've nailed it!
M - Mouthfeel is perfect, medium bodied, nicely carbonated and the finish is only slightly dry, leaving craving more. Given the bitterness I would've expected something much drier, but this is just perfect.
D - I could pound these for hours. Nicely balanced offering with the malts coming through and a generous blast of hops on the finish. Yet another winner by Half Pints. Now, if only it were offered year-round!!
Sep 24, 2010S - The grassy malts are complemented by some sweet lemon iced tea hops. The sweetness is predominant on the finish and is quite pleasing on the nose.
T - Again, grassy malts dominate off the top, but the bitter hops come through very nicely, almost overpowering the pilsener flavour. I love the hoppy twist on the Pils and quite suiting of the Euro Pale Style. They've nailed it!
M - Mouthfeel is perfect, medium bodied, nicely carbonated and the finish is only slightly dry, leaving craving more. Given the bitterness I would've expected something much drier, but this is just perfect.
D - I could pound these for hours. Nicely balanced offering with the malts coming through and a generous blast of hops on the finish. Yet another winner by Half Pints. Now, if only it were offered year-round!!
Reviewed by joemcgrath27 from Canada (AB)
4.03/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
grabbed a single at Zyn, had the wax top coating
A - very bubbly, slightly hazy golden straw, nice tall white head retained very well with the consistent rising bubble
S - toasty pale malts, strong resiny herbal hop notes, slight touch of honey, very pilsnery
T - toasty grainy malt flavour, grassy herbal hop kick, mild honey and peppery finish
M - generous carbonation, light breadiness quickly followed by a nice dry that lingers
D - very crisp clean pils flavours kicked up a notch with the hops make this delicious and very easy drinking, happy to final see this in Calgary
Sep 19, 2010A - very bubbly, slightly hazy golden straw, nice tall white head retained very well with the consistent rising bubble
S - toasty pale malts, strong resiny herbal hop notes, slight touch of honey, very pilsnery
T - toasty grainy malt flavour, grassy herbal hop kick, mild honey and peppery finish
M - generous carbonation, light breadiness quickly followed by a nice dry that lingers
D - very crisp clean pils flavours kicked up a notch with the hops make this delicious and very easy drinking, happy to final see this in Calgary
Reviewed by Shadman from Canada (AB)
3.88/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
says pils on bottle EPL here...been waiting for awhile for this beer to show up in the 'Hat.
Nice aroma. Biscuit malt, grassy, herbal hops. Slight cheesy smell.
Tasty. Kinda citrusy with some nice spicy/weedy hop. Sweet malts with the advertised hint of honey follow. Finish is slightly dry and bitter in a Dandlion sense.
Nice smooth body with carbonation that let's the flavours come through easily.
Too bad summer is over because this would be a great patio/deck brew
Sep 10, 2010Nice aroma. Biscuit malt, grassy, herbal hops. Slight cheesy smell.
Tasty. Kinda citrusy with some nice spicy/weedy hop. Sweet malts with the advertised hint of honey follow. Finish is slightly dry and bitter in a Dandlion sense.
Nice smooth body with carbonation that let's the flavours come through easily.
Too bad summer is over because this would be a great patio/deck brew
Reviewed by biboergosum from Canada (AB)
4.22/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.22/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
341ml bottle. Don't know who this Phil fella (phella?) is, but I'm glad he has a hand in Half Pints taking a stab at producing a pilsner.
This beer pours a mildly hazy, medium golden yellow colour, with two fingers of puffy, tightly foamy, and somewhat fizzy off-white head, which leaves a bit of sudsy sheet lightning lace around my new Yukon pint glass as it gradually melts away.
It smells of biscuity, crackery, and breakfast cereal-heavy pale malt, grassy, leafy, and kind of spicy hops, an ethereal honey sweetness, and fresh-cut hay. The taste is fairly strong up front with the bitter grassy, zesty floral, and light citrus hop notes, followed closely by a still not so sweet grainy, cereal maltiness, and a touch of earthy honey, which all contribute to a pleasantly robust flavour.
The carbonation is on the lower side, generally, but has a tendency to rear up on the palate at times, the body a decent medium-full weight, mostly smooth, and even a tad creamy. It finishes off-dry, and clean, with the hops taking a firm hold of the reins, a minor lingering honeyed graininess kicking about.
Wow - a very savoury lager, if I ever saw one - big and tasty all around. Perhaps this doesn't fit into either the German or Czech definition of a Pils, but s'alright, it's all the more enjoyable for its unique Canadian re-jigging of things. I could easily have multiple rounds of this on a summer (next year, I suppose) patio/deck/balcony, whatevs!
Sep 06, 2010This beer pours a mildly hazy, medium golden yellow colour, with two fingers of puffy, tightly foamy, and somewhat fizzy off-white head, which leaves a bit of sudsy sheet lightning lace around my new Yukon pint glass as it gradually melts away.
It smells of biscuity, crackery, and breakfast cereal-heavy pale malt, grassy, leafy, and kind of spicy hops, an ethereal honey sweetness, and fresh-cut hay. The taste is fairly strong up front with the bitter grassy, zesty floral, and light citrus hop notes, followed closely by a still not so sweet grainy, cereal maltiness, and a touch of earthy honey, which all contribute to a pleasantly robust flavour.
The carbonation is on the lower side, generally, but has a tendency to rear up on the palate at times, the body a decent medium-full weight, mostly smooth, and even a tad creamy. It finishes off-dry, and clean, with the hops taking a firm hold of the reins, a minor lingering honeyed graininess kicking about.
Wow - a very savoury lager, if I ever saw one - big and tasty all around. Perhaps this doesn't fit into either the German or Czech definition of a Pils, but s'alright, it's all the more enjoyable for its unique Canadian re-jigging of things. I could easily have multiple rounds of this on a summer (next year, I suppose) patio/deck/balcony, whatevs!
Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)
3.65/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.65/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
341ml bottle at Bar Volo in Toronto, ON. Dark golden in colour with a thin ring of white head that dissipates to nothing. Bubbly carbonation in the body, no lace on this pour. Smell and taste are bread, grainy malts, honey, lime, grassy and herbal hops, citrus, light Noble bitterness, and a lemony sourness. Brief flash of wheat in the aftertaste, which disappears instantly. Medium, crisp mouthfeel, moderate carbonation, mild hop bite precedes a malted finish. Tasty and refreshing enough to be interesting. 30 IBU seems accurate, as the hops add flavour but contribute very little bitterness. Best in class for a Euro pale lager, just don't go into it expecting a pilsner (as the name infers).
Apr 05, 2010Reviewed by wordemupg from Canada (AB)
4.3/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.3/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
341ml bottle poured into Stella glass jan28 2010
A a cloudy golden yellow with a solid thumbs width of head that has good retention but left only a patch of lace.
S a little sweet with lots of floral hops
T as it smells but a little grassy with some citrus and enough malt to balance things out a bit, lots of flavor for a lager I was surprised with this one
M quite full for a lager a little creamy with just a little bite
D this is a great value for a beer and I will be drinking it again
this is one of the better lagers I've had in recent memory, big flavor and well rounded. Half pints is brewing some of the better beers out west and I hope the rest of their stuff is as good as the few I've already had
Jan 29, 2010A a cloudy golden yellow with a solid thumbs width of head that has good retention but left only a patch of lace.
S a little sweet with lots of floral hops
T as it smells but a little grassy with some citrus and enough malt to balance things out a bit, lots of flavor for a lager I was surprised with this one
M quite full for a lager a little creamy with just a little bite
D this is a great value for a beer and I will be drinking it again
this is one of the better lagers I've had in recent memory, big flavor and well rounded. Half pints is brewing some of the better beers out west and I hope the rest of their stuff is as good as the few I've already had
Phil's Pils from Half Pints Brewing Company
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
32 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!