Blue Paddle Pilsner - New Belgium Brewing

ZenAgnostic

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Bottom right of front label stamped BEST BEFORE 18DEC11.

Appearance - Pours hazy light golden yellow body with a big white loose head with good stick and good retention.

Smell - Mild sweet corn with no muskiness. Almost a first for the style. Mild to moderate spicy hop presence.

Taste - Full bodied up front. Honey sweet malt, bready yeast, and spicy hop which dissipates quickly and cleanly, leaving only a faint bitter lime-peel aftertaste. A little too mild overall, and lacks much complexity.

Mouthfeel - Light to medium bodied. Somewhat refreshing. Acidic. Somewhat astringent. Frothy head offers almost no consistency. Somewhat clean finish.

Overall Drinkability - Pretty decent American made German-style pils. A little too acidic and not quite refreshing enough. Otherwise it might have been a letter grade higher.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 01:39:56 | More by ZenAgnostic

falloutsnow

Illinois

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

Bottle purchased from Hyvee in Omaha, NE.
Best before February 2012.
Poured into a standard US pint glass.

Pours about a 1cm head of fairly white, medium-sized bubbles. This lasts about a minute, declining to virtually nothing in terms of residual foam and leaving very little lacing. Body is a transparent golden yellow, giving perspective of much carbonation.

Aroma is fairly drab, light malt and floral hop notes seem to be the only things played.

Taste follows the lackluster scent, light sweet malt, slightly floral and bittering hops, perhaps some fruit-like esters. Nothing substantial, very average.

Medium-light in body with fairly aggressive carbonation, yet this combination still works for this beer and its flavor palette. Moves very quickly along, as has been noted, and leaves a semi-dry finish.

Overall, this was a fairly unexciting pilsener. Expected more from New Belgium. I won't seek this out again.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 05:41:57 | More by falloutsnow

ChadQuest

Illinois

3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pour is perfectly clear, like a magnifying glass, the head only lasts a short while but i think that is from this st bern goblet being so wide. light straw color.
Aroma is like toasted bread, the hops are earthy and noble but with some citrus notes.
The flavors are very clean and earthy, some grassy notes and a bit of lemon on the finish. Very very fast finish, clean, the flavor comes in and gets out fast.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 04:46:37 | More by ChadQuest

womencantsail

California

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at New Belgium Hub in the Denver Airport

A: The beer pours a clear golden color with a finger of white head.

S: The aroma starts off with sweet corn and pale malts. There is a hint of perfumey citrus peel and a light floral hop character as well. A bit of lager yeast and some light fruity esters.

S: Moderately sweet with some corn, pale malts, and a bit of grain husk. A light bitterness to it, too. A light ester character, mostly apples. Floral hops and a mild citrus peel flavor on the finish.

M: Light in body with medium carbonation.

O: Though rather simple, the flavors were pleasant and the beer was easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2011 00:35:28 | More by womencantsail

MrDonQuixote

Colorado

3.05/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served on tap at New Belgium

A- Light golden color, slight head

S- Pilsner smell, grainy and malty

T- Crisp pilsner taste, nice bite to it, nice finish. I've just never been a super big fan of the style.

M- Carbonation is perfect, makes the beer quite crisp

O- Better then most pilsners, but I have yet to find a stand out pilsner as of yet

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2011 05:16:32 | More by MrDonQuixote

John1985

Tennessee

4.22/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted in a Sam Adams perfect pint glass

Pours a light gold color with a bright white two finger head. Head fades into a skullcap as the beer is consumed with plenty of lacing down the sides.

Aroma was malt based with some light hop flavor. Flavor was biscuity malt flavor with hops to balance in the back. Very dry finish. Medium to light body contributes to high drinkabilty especially with the heat wave we have had in Tennessee.

Very fine pilsner, a definite repeat purchase.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 00:18:09 | More by John1985

fsvan

Tennessee

3.85/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into pint glass. Best by date of November, so this guy is fresh.

A- Light golden. Nice two fingers of white head. Good carbonation, big and bubbly.

S- Big bready malt pils nose with a nice hop bitterness. Smells spot on for what you'd expect from the style.

T- Flavor is subdued compared to the nose, but in line as far as characteristics. Light bready malts, and nice dry hop bitterness.

M- Light, and easy do drink. Nicely carbonated.

O- A solid New Belgium offering that I like, but won't be likely to confuse with Stoudt's pils or Victory Prima pils as the frontrunners of the American take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 00:36:11 | More by fsvan

Duff27

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Aggressive pour leads to a two inch white head. Beer is a medium pale color with a few streams of effervescence. Well above average head retention and lacing.

S- Bready, grass characteristics.

T- Follows the nose, with a "burnt" quality. Sharp noble hop bitterness overpowers the short-lived sweet pils malt.

M- Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation.

D/O- I've had better of the style, though I've certainly had worse. This is a good candidate for some with decent flavor that you could drink a lot of.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 22:09:24 | More by Duff27

DoktorZee

Alberta (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at the New Belgium restaurant in the Denver airport - nice find I'll have to use again as I'm there from time to time. I'd presume this is pretty fresh since it's New Belgium's own establishment!

A - nice crisp looking beer with a clear golden color, no head and some thin, streaky lacing

S - primarily a slightly sweet malt note on the nose, not much else

T - a sip reveals a small shot of citrus hops that endures for a while; it's sharp and astringent, but not in a bad way, just very crisp. Basically no obvious malt on the finish

M - very light though with some moderately sharp carbonation. Nice clean mouthfeel

D - ultra drinkable - excellent patio beer

Solid Pilsener - nice and crisp, slightly citrusy and likely amazing outside on a patio.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2011 16:54:05 | More by DoktorZee

elginirishpunk

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | 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

07-19-2011 04:20:57 | More by elginirishpunk

mjgooner13

New York

3.28/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- Hazy straw color...fluffy white 2 finger head with loads of small bubbles...

S- Crisp floral notes

T- Nice bit of spice and hops to to add to the floral...

M- Lighter bodied, crisp and fresh tasting...spice hangs out in the mouth for a little...very easy drinking

O- No real big flavors, but certainly a good-light summer beer...so if that is what you are looking for, then pick one up..

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 14:16:09 | More by mjgooner13

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.38/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer was served in a standard pint glass.

a: light golden body with a 1/2 inch of white head

s: the smell of noble hops dominates here

t: the balance of malt with hops is perfect in this pilsener. I typically do not care for the style but this one has been a favorite for many years. The hop bitterness hits in the middle of the flavor and tapers well after the swallow.

m: light and crisp

Overall, this is the one of the only pilseners that I have ever liked...and I love this one. This is my go to session and summertime beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 01:31:26 | More by eyeenjoybeer

domtronzero

California

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at KnB Wine Cellars (SD)

A - Brilliantly clear golden colored with an average lasting whitish head. Little lacing.

S - Grainy pils malt with a loe hop character. Not much of an aroma on this one.

F/M - Crisp and clean with a grainy malty flavor. Light earthy hop character with moderate bitterness. Dry finish. Medium light body with moderate carbonation.

O - Decent and worthy of a pint when you're not feeling anything over 5%. Worth the tick.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2011 03:01:55 | More by domtronzero

dankster

Colorado

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

Reviewing this beer on a warm summer day in early June. First note picked up is strong smell of Noble hops with slight malt taste in the backround, head is light and not much carbonation. Small amount of lacing in regular pint glass. Very similar to euro style or Czech style pilsner lagers. Mouthfeel is light but with good flavor. overall a good summer brew best enjoyed on very hot days (90+) not something to go searching for but I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 18:26:26 | More by dankster

AmericanGothic

Iowa

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass:

A: Pours a clear golden yellow color. One finger of off-white head with good retention and lace. Fairly active carbonation.

S: Typical pilsner notes of hay and sweet malt, a bit of fruity esters.

T: Like the smell, mostly the sweet malt. Hops are nearly absent at first, but do try to emerge as the beer warms. However, they are too tame overall.

M: Nice and light, crisp and a bit soda-like.

O: Not bad, but not that far above average. No off-flavors, but really miss the hops. Still, a good thirst quencher that would do well on a warm day. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 00:24:47 | More by AmericanGothic

claytong

Vermont

3.9/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

this beer holds up strong with the pilsners i had in germany and beats most of them hands down.
it was a while ago since i had this beer so i cant really get specific on it but it is certainly a traditional pilsner and im generally not crazy about pilsners but this one has easy to drink and refreshing and wet in the mouth.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-25-2011 22:13:11 | More by claytong

JMad

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I poured a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

The beer was a clear, pale, yellow with a thick soapy white head that left a lot of lacing. Smells of lemon with light pilsner malt, grass and hay. There is a smooth but solid bitterness, the taste consists of lemon peel with a light pine flavor and a biscuity background. The beer is light with prickly carbonation and a dry finish. I would choose this pilsner over any other that I have tried so far.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 01:20:24 | More by JMad

TheSarge

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours perfectly with a three finger thick head of a bright white color. The body is ultra clear and bright gold.

Aroma wise it has an arid lemony hops tone, and a grainy huskiness.

Has a blunt grainy taste to it. Not much in the way of hops. This is the weakest category for the brew.

Has a crisp clean feel to it and leaves the palate satisfied.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 01:26:20 | More by TheSarge

doucmehu

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tall tulip, with a clean light blond color. Plenty of fine carbonation that lasts until the end, with a nice 3 finger clean white head. Lacing was abundant in both bottles I had today, with a ring from each swig.

Smells of grain and a hint of floral hops and lemon zest. Mild nose, with not a lot going on but that is to be expected of this style.

Taste is quite enjoyable for a Pilsner. Just enough mild floral hops to offset the graininess, and a hint of citrus aftertaste to keep on drinking. Slight bitterness on the tail end, but not much.

Mouthfeel is excellent, very crisp and clean, exactly what i would expect from a highly drinkable Pils. Leaves you feeling refreshed, et wanting more.

Overall, this is a thirst quencher of a beer. I enjoyed this one with fish and fresh vegetables, and it was the perfect light and crisp combo with a light meal.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 23:32:40 | More by doucmehu

rawfish

California

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours brilliant clear gold large white head 2 fingers plus a little extra frothy almost whipped texture. Spotty lacing, wish it could have been a bit more clinging.

Rather floral for a pilsner. Sweet grass, dry malt husks and touch of spice likely from the yeast. Clean grassy hops, nothing over powering.

Light grains, a touch bready but nothing even close to some other NB offerings. Floral, grassy hops, light, just a touch of drying bitterness to clean out the sweetness of the malts. Finishes dry, crisp and clean even when it begins to warm. Flavor profile is very balanced and vanishes without a trace. I'm ready for more.

Lively carbonation and slightly light bodied, leaves no mouth coating or aftertaste. Exactly what I'm looking for in a sessionable lager.

As summer nears this one will be a staple for the fridge, well crafted style that is easy to overlook. Crisp, refreshing and only gets better on tap.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 00:48:16 | More by rawfish

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had not tried this one before, so last night when I was out for dinner, decided to try a bottle of it. The pour was rather standard for the style. Very nice clarity with a nice golden amber color to it. Lots of carbonation streaking toward the surface throughout the entire session. A very nice three inch high head of white foamy and fizzy lace formed on the top and hung around for a few moments before finally settling down to just a thin film across the top that lasted until the end.

The aroma was loaded down with cereal grains and a touch of light fruity yeast. The aroma of banana clearly evident as was a nice fresh grass like hoppy nose. The flavor followed right along with it, being very light in profile and feel and very highly carbonated. List grain flavors dominated with a nice earthy feel. Hints of banana and fresh grass running through it as well, with a very nice light, refreshing taste. The finish was quick, crisp, and very clean, leaving virtually no aftertaste, but leaving you looking for more.

Overall not a bad pilsner at all. Nothing really earth shattering here, but still a very solid effort. I would most certainly not turn this one down if offered it again, especially with the warm weather approaching.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2011 01:44:18 | More by mikesgroove

DCon

Missouri

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on tap from the Wolf Public House in Ballwin, MO and served into a Pint glass.

Appearance- Clear and golden color with high carbonation! 1/6 finger of head and leaft behind foam.

Smell- Very bready, grassy, and a great split of hops and malt.

Taste- Malty and hoppy as hell! The bready taste came into play at the end.

Mouthfeel- Refreshing, smooth, but has a spike on the tongue at the end. Light-Medium bodied.

Drinkability- Enjoyed three of these after work and was able to get a positive vibe from this beer. New Belgium always does a great job though.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 04:36:31 | More by DCon

DocAJ

Alabama

3.78/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Gift from a fellow BA; Poured from 12 oz bottle into Pilsener glass

A-straw-light gold color that poured with a big fluffy white head, lots of carb action going on, head disappeared quicker than I thought it would, but lacing stuck arround

S-slight aroma, floral hops and grassy notes

T-zesty citrus, bready notes, well balanced hops/malt flavour

M-light bodied, high carb, dry finish

D-too bad I only had one!

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 22:59:31 | More by DocAJ

merlin48

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Twelve ounce bottle is two months before "best by" date. Pours a crystal clear light golden body that is alive with carbonation. Two finger vanilla head hangs around a few minutes and deposits some attractive spiderweb lace.

Aroma features grassy and spicy hops with a hint of bready pilsner malt.

Light medium body is smooth and well carbonated.

Taste has a subtle crackery and bready malt base that has just a faint hint of sweetness. Grassy and spicy noble hops run the show and exhibit a solid bitterness throughout. Finishes clean, with a grassy hop bitterness in a long finish.

This is another solid American pilsener and one I will stock up when warmer weather rolls around. Very well crafted and highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 20:25:37 | More by merlin48

TexIndy

Texas

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my NBB glass. Best by date of 6/12/11 on label. It was a clear pale yellow with lots of carb streams. It had a large, fluffy white head that settled into a thick collar and foam cap. Great sheeting with lots sticking.

The aroma is classic pils with grassy and herbal notes, spicy hops and bready malt. The taste follows the aroma is really good for a pils. Starts out smooth then the subtle bitterness kicks in and then the spicy hops for a great finish. Not my favorite style but this one goes down easy. Having in winter but would be great on a hot summer day. Light to medium mouthfeel with lots of carbonation and great aftertaste.

Overall, an excellent pils that I highly recommend. Hadn't had this one in years but glad I did. Avail here in TX. Rotation - this would make a good addition to my light (wit, wheats, etc) rotation especially in the summer [R;Y]

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 02:23:20 | More by TexIndy