Blue Paddle Pilsner - New Belgium Brewing

Murrhey

Montana

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a standard pressure-cap 12oz bottle into a weizen glass in high elevation Kalispell, Mont. Reviewed live.

A- Two-finger creamy white head with tiny bubbles and creamy lacing. Head lasts a while, eating down in the middle first. Amber color with high clarity, a bit of an anomaly for the Pilsners I'm used to seeing. Not a bad looking beer.

S- Some peppercorns, honey, fresh-cut grass. Nicely aromatic, but like most light lagers of its type, not complex or rich.

T- Sweet honeyed malts, some crispness from Czech (maybe) hops. A very refreshing flavor.

M- Creamy and wet feel at first with a crisp bite from the hops and carbonation. Finished slightly bitter and dry.

O- Is this a great beer? No. But a refreshing one that feels right considering it is 80 degrees outside.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 01:48:21 | More by Murrhey

elNopalero

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This poured a clear golden color with fantastic clarity and great foaming.

There’s a light but sharp aroma that’s equal parts lemony and grassy, with a hint of toast hidden in the back. The flavor is light and crisp, with the touch of lemon and grass on it. It’s lightly bitter but just enough to give it some character, with a nice finish, I liked this one more than I had expected to.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 06:26:17 | More by elNopalero

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Honey colored and nearly translucent. Lots of visible effervescence and a one finger cap of off-white foam.

Aroma: Pilsen grain right of the bat. An earthy suggestion of hops. Not too much there but clean.

Taste: New Belgium tends to stay pretty much within style guidelines with their offerings and Blue Paddle Pilsner is no exception. Starting with a light hop bitterness and transitioning into a crackery/grainy malt blend, while striking a refreshing balance, this is a beer that delivers what is expected. The finish is decently crisp and there is a light lingering bitterness. Although it is difficult to truly impress my palate with a Pilsener, this one definitely comes close. At 4.8% ABV it is right near that sessioning range.

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with lots of carbonation as is usual for the style. Easily drinkable and refreshing.

Final Thoughts: A well made Pilsner that will probably impress your BMC friends. As a hop head I'd love to see a version of this beer that uses the same malt base with some West Coast hops. That would be a beer that could turn some heads. For now though, Blue Paddle is a drinker-friendly and enjoyable take on a classic. Would I drink it again? Sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 00:09:14 | More by JamesMN

Kromes

Georgia

3.91/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

It's a nice looking beer...clear gold color with a thick white head that leaves laces down the glass. It smells like a typical pilsner, sweet honey malts with a touch of herbal hop. Maybe a little waxy in the aroma. The spicy hop jumps out at first with grassy flavor and then the beer finishes with some grassy and floral hop and sweet malt. Finish has a nice spicy bitter bite. Overall a good pilsner.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 16:37:28 | More by Kromes

BucannonXC5

California

3.36/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Hotel glass (half pint, half snifter)
From: Wilbur’s Total Beverage in Fort Collins, Colo.
Price: Part of a variety 6-pack for $9.99
Purchased: May 2, 2013
Consumed: May 2, 2013
Misc.: Best by Sept. 8, 2013

Poured a golden yellow color with one finger of frothy white head. Lots of bubbles underneath. Lots of foamy lacing on the sides. Very good retention on the tops on the way down.

Smelled a weird mix of blueberry and shit to start. Not a good start. Some bread, hay, corn and cereal were involved, but the skunky poop malt kept hanging around.

Tasted no poop, so that was good. Pretty plain though, with some light noble corn hops. Still grassy and grainy.

Light body. Thin texture. Average-to-lively carbonation. Abrupt finish.

Just wasn’t a fan of this beer. Would never try it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 05:00:00 | More by BucannonXC5

spoony

Colorado

3.56/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

From a 355 ml bottle (best by May 12, 2013) into a globe glass.

A-A normal pour produces a healthy, shiny, white head that is nearly two fingers tall. The brew is light golden in color, clear, with a decent show of carbonation.

S-Not much happening here. There is a faint hop twang, very light lemon, some doughy malt.

T-The taste is a lot like the smell, i.e., very mild hops, a little bit of toasted white bread, some straw, and barely-there lemon.

M-The feel is very light, crisp, with a bubbly carbonation. Chuggable.

O-This is a good looking beer, but there are certainly better-tasting Pils out there. This one errs on the side of light and refreshing (maybe a good pool beer/golf beer), but even assuming that light and refreshing was the goal, I could use a little more taste and body here.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 04:05:11 | More by spoony

beergoot

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I would call the appearance 'superior': crystal clear and golden with one of the best looking frothy, creamy, white heads I've seen on a beer. Spot-on aroma comes across with a distinct yet subtle combination of malt and hop bitterness that is nothing but inviting. The taste focuses on on the malts with light, delicate grains at the fore; hop bitterness is faint yet well-suited to the malt character. The mouthfeel is light, crisp, clean, and dry.

For some reason, I've always shied away from New Belgium beers with the exception of their 1554 black ale. And that prejudice has been to my detriment. Based on this sampling, this pilsner is one of the best I've experienced in a long time. The beer is nothing but clean, sweet, and delicate with plenty of lager character. Well-balanced with a pleasant, subtle complexity that is nothing but enjoyable from every angle. I will be coming back to this one...

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 00:04:57 | More by beergoot

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.49/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured this Czech style Pilsener from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Poured a clear golden color, produced a nice off white head, nice retention and lacing. The aroma consisted of pale malt and citrus. Light in body, base of sweet malted grain, floral hops and lemon citrus. Overall, this is a easy drinking beer, nice session beer, not very complex but it's worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 03:09:38 | More by GossageBrewery

scratch69

Missouri

3.7/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

I poured a bottle into a pilsener glass.

Appearance- Clear golden-yellow color with two fingers worth of lingering head. Fair amounts of sticky lacing.

Smell- Faint aroma of grain and grassy hops.

Taste- Lightly toasted grain and nutty flavors with hints of herbal hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied and very crisp. Average amount of carbonation.

Overall- A fairly standard pilsener. I can see myself enjoying a few of these while grilling some burgers.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 02:07:25 | More by scratch69

tronester

Oklahoma

3.61/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear golden, with a big, creamy off white head, that leaves tons of lacing as the beer passes through the glass. Aromas of of freshly cut grass. Taste is a citrus peel beginning, followed by some light crackers, then an herbal, zesty bitterness in the finish. Mouthfeel is good. Overall a nice pilsner, easy drinking, but not dumbed down.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 00:43:52 | More by tronester

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-golden with a nice sticky white head. Lots of bubbles

S-crisp grains with a nice hint if light honey. Fair strength

T-comes in with a great grassy bitterness along with a nutty grain flavor, almost reminds me of Cheerios. I like it! It's actually full of bold and quality flavors. There's a good matching after-taste.

M-medium carbonation with a nice crisp finish

O-I bought a 6 pack of this with out ever having it before. I'm glad I did! It's very tasty! It's a quality lager! I really don't know what else to say besides go out and try this please! It's one of the best pilsners I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 03:16:51 | More by AdamBear

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out clear like any other pilsner. Clear with a golden hue. The aroma of the noble hops emerges out as the most pungent aroma. This beer goes down smooth and the clears. There is only a light and slight bitternes to this beer. Very good american interpurtation of a Czech Pilsner where most american craft beers are going for fruitful beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 14:41:33 | More by WoodBrew

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.38/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Blue Paddle Pilsner is brewed in the Czech Pilsner style. While Blue Paddle Pilsner is considered a year-round release, it is a challenge to find this in any local stores in the Atlanta area. The first time I got a bottle of this was in the summer Folly Pack, and I haven't seen it packaged locally since. Fortunately I saved a bottle, and am reviewing it, slightly aged, for the transition from summer months to the wonderful fall. The bottle is dated 16 September 2012, so it's a little past age, but no big deal.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a pilsner glass. Served at 39.5º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a thick, frothy white cream tone head with ample lacing and very good retention. The body color is a vivid golden straw yellow, mildly hazy clarity with rampant active carbonation. Appearance is nearly perfect for the style and all aspects are visually attractive. 4.5

(Smell) A combination of grassy, musty citrusy and spicy hop essence (in that order) over a substantial pale malt body with just a touch of perky sweetness on the high notes. Smells clean and crisp although a bit of murkiness may have come with time but it lends itself well to the beer nonetheless. Light and pleasing aromatics have a medium potency, the balance is quite nice and the aroma is enjoyable overall. 4

(Taste) Flavors are a touch muted in the taste, especially hop characters, which are not nearly as bright and flavorful as they were in the nose. A pale malty base is followed through with a mild grassy hop blend for a very mild flavor- the mustiness, while an integral part of the aroma is all but a whisper in the flavor of the finish. Bitterness is low but prevails slightly in the finish. Finish is expectedly clean for the style. Hop character could be brighter flavored and have a touch more dimension but as a standard Czech pilsner it isn't terrible, just not awfully original nor exciting. 3

(Mouthfeel) Mild texture, slightly dry and chalky finish. Carbonation is mild, could increase a notch or two for a more vivid texture. Alcohol presence is mild, body is light/medium for a pilsner and light overall. The textures of the beer and the carbonation were admittedly muted overall, with lots more to be desired in the overall texture than what we get here. 3.5

(Overall) Blue paddle presents itself to be a lot more bold than the taste reveals it to be. The aroma and appearance are great- bold, bright and colorful, but the flavors are very average by comparison, and half of what was expected was difficult, if not impossible to find in the resulting simple recipe. I was hoping for more than what I got, but drinkability remains high and the beer, while not a star amongst Czech pilsners, does do some things right, and is probably worth a try should you be a fan of the pilsner style. 3.5

New Belgium Brewing's
Blue Paddle Pilsner
3.38/5.00

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 21:22:24 | More by Jadjunk

Fatehunter

Oregon

2.8/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Into a pint glass. Finger of head, light clear straw colored body.
Smells doughy and like pine tree resin. It's a little off-putting to me.
Malty taste (for a lager), mild bitterness at the end, short finish.
Light body, fairly low carbonation.
Pretty average, except for the smell. Good for a summer day.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 20:47:17 | More by Fatehunter

JednoPivoProsim

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 fl. oz. bottle into a pint glass. Best before: 24FEB13. This beer is probably the first US craft beer I ever bought, 10 years ago while living in Colorado. Also, New Belgium was the first brewery tour I ever went on!

Appearance: Pours a golden pilsner body with a decent white head.

Smell: Standard grassy hop aroma. Nothing overpowering. Pleasant.

Taste: Pretty light flavor. Not very malty nor hoppy. A little bitterness on the back end, but not a whole lot of aftertaste. I like my pale lagers with a bit more depth.

Mouthfeel: Again, pretty light and thin. I prefer a beer that coats the mouth.

Overall: Unfortunately, I'm not too excited about this one. I was looking for a good go-to pilsner to replace my Sierra Nevada Summerfest when it goes out of season and I'm afraid the Blue Paddle just isn't it.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 22:20:45 | More by JednoPivoProsim

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

yeah this isnt the most intriguing beer on the planet, but its a worthwhile summer sipper. it smells as german as it does czech on the malt profile, dusty and dry, sturdy but light enough to be easy drinking. the hops enter a little bit in the flavor, but its only in the finish and very subdued. this is a straight up pils, more robust than is traditional, but its not a beer for hop heads. the finish is dry after just a second, and a certain thirst quenching element is there, thankfully. it feels a little filling to me, maybe a little heavier in body than most beers from this genre, but the carbonation is good and its an easy 6pack on a late summer afternoon. no complaints with this, it just isnt getting me off ya know?

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 23:52:50 | More by StonedTrippin

u2carew

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz longneck
A) Pours with a finger thick, white head that settles to thin lacing on top and at the edge of the glass. Clear, blonde body. Thin, sticky lacing on the drink down.
S) Grainy. Floral notes.
T) Nutty. Grainy. Pleasant hop bite in the finish.
M) Fizzy. Crisp. Light body. Dry in the finish.
O) A pleasant pilsener. I'd drink another one.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 16:28:23 | More by u2carew

TownDunkel

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Blue Paddle Pilsner - Never had seen this one before at the beer store and I do enjoy a good pilsner on these hot days so why not

Appearance - Your usual run of the mill light yellow and clear nice but still looks like a good beer.

Smell - A very mellow hints of thistle, hops, and fresh greens. I wish it was a bit more pungent though, since it is a bit weak unless you smelling straight out of the bottle

Taste - This one has a neat mix of an IPA mixed with your usual pilsner. Unfortunately there is not much flavor and it is pretty basic.

Mouthfeel - This beer excelled here on the mouthfeel and keeps staying around with a good amount carbonation.

Overall - This is a decent beer, not one of my favorites so maybe it just is personal taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 01:09:04 | More by TownDunkel

speter

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Lightly golden with two fluffy fingers of foam that fade with moderate lace.

S: Grassy noble hops and light biscuit pilsener malt. Very well balanced.

T: Fairly malty with a tendency towards some chocolate hints. There is an odd hollowness just after mid-palate, just before the hops kick in towards the end. The finish is great: hoppy bitterness without the common lager metallic twang.

M: Spot-on Czech pilsener.

O: If I could, I'd give this a 3.25. The hollowness spoils what would be an otherwise stellar Czech pilsener. Nonetheless, this is better than average.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 20:16:57 | More by speter

Jsteez

New Mexico

3.1/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pilsner glass.

A-It was straw yellow color with hints of gold. Light carbonation. The head was thick and foamy. Once the thick foam dissipated, there was a white soapy head that remained on the surface throughout consumption. Nice lacy sides. It looked good!

S-Not much here, maybe some faint dry hops and a sweet malt.

T-Dry, bitter, peppery, and some hops. I can sense some bread and maybe some light citrus, but not a lot. The dry and peppery aftertaste lingered on my palate.

M-Medium-light bodied smooth feel. Quite refreshing.

Overall-This pilsner is a great sessionable brew to enjoy during the remaining summer months. I have to admit I have tried better pilsners, however this is a solidly good brew. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 16:42:13 | More by Jsteez

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a narrow pint glass; color is straw with bright white head that laces very well, carbonation is light but it could have been a touch warm

Smell is mild pilsner malt with some very light hop notes, neutral - must be something in their to thin out the maltiness and strength of scents but done well.

Taste is a little thin on hop flavor, but the pilsner malts are done well and flavorful - some thining flavors but not hindering flavor.

Mouthfeel is a cross between a kolsch and pilsner, a little more lingering bready feel than typical pilsners but some crispness from the hops and carbonation.

Overall, a well done pilsner, great after a hot and laborous day.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 01:39:22 | More by mvanaskie13

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.7/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Blue Paddle is a simple, no frills pilsener. Looks how you'd expect, smells like you'd expect, tastes like you'd expect, etc. The good news is that it works just fine. It's full flavored, even if its elements are simple. I took a six pack of this out to Lake Tahoe and had several while barbequeing and felt it was perfect for the time.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 17:51:32 | More by TheRealBigC

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a New Belgium globe.
Serve at 38°F, 4.8% ABV, and Best By 28OCT12.

A - Like a good pilsner should be, Blue Paddle shimmers a goldenrod color with brilliant clarity. A tall white head tops the beer and slowly falls down, decorating the whole glass in thick lace.

S - Blue Paddle is pretty subtle on the aroma, offering a very light rice-like note to the grainy pale malts which provide a simple base for the open floral noble hops. The scent touches on gardening; plants and earth, with an herbal quality that's inviting.

T - Quite flavorful indeed, Blue Paddle's bouquet features spicy and floral Saaz noble hops with a backdrop of mild grainy malt sweetness and soft water.

M - A smooth entry quickly leads to a dry, bitter burst on the tongue that's quickly washed down with a champagne-like carbonation level that finishes out clean.

O - Blue Paddle is a relatively bare-bones, simple beer, but certainly not without flavor! This delectable, incredibly refreshing beer is a quintessential summer session beer, gently offering bitterness and hop characteristics of a cleanly lagered pilsner; something a hop-head who doesn't want to get bashed across the face with resin would really dig. Blue Paddle is incredibly well-done.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 00:10:45 | More by BeerFMAndy

vkv822

Oregon

3.73/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz : pint glass

Clear golden with a foamy white head that leaves pleasant lacing.

Lightly sweet grainy malts, with grassy spice hop accents.

Grassy, spicy hops with some clean, malty backing.

Medium body, with active, bubbly carbonation. Clean finish.

A well done Czech pilsner. Easy drinking, light but flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 09:09:39 | More by vkv822

AEArider

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a clear pale straw with a white head sticky enough to leave a good amount of lacing. Smell is bready but also notes of vegetation and citrus. Taste is full, making the experience of drinking a relatively light beer like this enjoyable (as opposed to a necessary step toward toward drunkenness *cough). Mouthfeel is light, smooth and certainly sessionable. Enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 05:11:14 | More by AEArider