Capital Pilsner - Capital Brewery

ibashmuck

Wisconsin

2.58/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Purchased as part of "build-your-own-six-pack" at local grocer. Poured your basic "beer yellow", with a small head. Smelled a touch sweet, but mostly just hoppy. A bit too bitter/grapefruity for my liking, but not terrible. Just not one of favs.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2008 15:44:38 | More by ibashmuck

hotstuff

Indiana

2.6/5  rDev -27%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I found this beer to be lackluster in that it lacked character, aroma and flavor. It poured a small sized white head that contained fine sized bubbles that completely dissipated. The body was carbonated and clear with a golden hue. The nose was lightly malty and fruity with a light bitter flavor. The mouthfeel was smooth, thin and watery texture and light bodied. The lacing was very, very sparse. This beer is nothing to get excited about in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2003 23:21:40 | More by hotstuff

hero27

Iowa

2.6/5  rDev -27%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Medium golden color.. Frothy head dies pretty quickly and leaves spotty lacing at best.

Smell: Grainy, typical pilsner aroma. Nothing very distinct at all.

Taste: I'm not a big fan of Pilsners, but if they are well-made, they don't taste bland like this one did. Initially, the taste is not too bad, but it dies off very quickly leaving me a bit dissapointed. Very similar in smell & taste to Leine's original.. a little darker, a little thicker, a little better overall.. but nothing too impressive.

Mouthfeel: Decent mouthfeel. There really is no redeeming or unique quality in this beer. It tastes like a typical lager, with very little effort put into the quality of the brew.

Drinkability: Drinkability is probably it's only redeeming characteristic. If you didn't mind the taste, you could easily drink quite a few of these Pilsners. Whether you'd want to or not, well..that's for you to decide.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2004 21:23:36 | More by hero27

znichols

Wisconsin

2.6/5  rDev -27%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A- a light gold beer with a slight hazy character. Small head dissipated quickly. leaves little to no lacing. looks pretty standard.

S-Hmm, the aroma is a little better. light lemon and soft, buttery malt. a touch of straw. Not a ton going on. Subtle aroma but not aweful. Nothing "off" about it.

T- The taste aint great. Very, very light flavor. I like a very easy drinking beer on occasion but this is not far from an MGD. Very slight spicy hops, a little bit of sweetness from the malt. Thats about it. Maybe a little bit of cereal flavor if you look for it. Not much bitterness.

M- The mouthfeel is about the same as a Pabst. Very light body with moderate to high carbonation.

O- A good pilsner should be light-bodied, very crisp, and have a firm, spicy hop flavor and bright bitterness. There really isn't much of that here other than being light. I would liken this to a step up from a Miller product. This is a modern version of your dad's nostalgia lager. Not even as flavorful/hefty as a spotted cow. I'm sure this beer is exactly what capital was shooting for, and it probably sells well during the hot, humid months, but i won't seek it out again. Lakefront's Klisch is a much better example of the style from a local brewer.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 01:32:55 | More by znichols

mckajd03

Illinois

2.63/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A - Hazy straw color with a large white foamy head. Should be a lot clearer than it is.
S - Strong corn aroma with a small hint of noble hops.
T - The corn aroma continues in the flavor. Very one sided, and too sweet. Hop presence should be stronger and more complex.
M - Clean and crisp, but there's an astringent finish from the corn flavor.
O - Very forgettable if not off-putting. There are much better pilsners on the shelves.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 23:27:30 | More by mckajd03

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.65/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Pours a gold body with a small, fleeting white head.

Smell: Light pilsner maltiness. A bit of floral, a bit of spice. There's some sulphur in the nose, with all the other parts of the scent coming together to bring my of a just opened can of salad shrimp.

Taste: Pilsner malts with a slight sweetness. Sulphury sourness. Spicy hops bring a mild bitterness, not nearly enough to take your mind off that sour grain taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: I did not care for this one. It didn't bring anything worthwhile to the table (special or otherwise).

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2008 22:26:02 | More by ChainGangGuy

CreamCity

2.68/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into pint glass

S- Citrus, grains

A- 1 finger head, minimal lacing, average head retention, clear with moderate carbonation, looks like watered down apple juice

T- Slight hop presence, corny

M- Crisp, wet feel, finishes dry

O- Decent pilsner. If I was served this in a glass next to an MGD I don't know if I could tell the difference. Expected more from a micro.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 07:08:50 | More by CreamCity

Shiloh

Ontario (Canada)

2.73/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I expected more out of this brew than what I recieved. Disappointing! The colour was what I anticipated as a medium golden hue. The head was minimal at best and the carbonation very light.
The body was a medium/full and the nose was a tad grainy.
The taste was heavy and lingering of yeast.
Nothing crisp and clean here.
Bottle says "German style" but the taste says "British" to me.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2003 17:34:39 | More by Shiloh

Dogbrick

Ohio

2.85/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I didn't find this to be too bad at all, noticeably better than the 1900. Unfortunately even the best Pils will never score big with me because I am just not a fan of the particular style. Typical Pils color/aroma. Medium bitter finish that turned mildly sour. I couldn't detect much malt at all. I am hoping for better from the rest of my Capital sampler.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2002 08:14:50 | More by Dogbrick

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle.

Poured a medium and cloudy golden color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of grain, some grass, floral and sweet malts. For a second there, I swear I smelled strawberries (I wonder where that came from). Tastes of grain and some sweet malts.

Notes from: 11/20/05

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 01:35:46 | More by hopdog

stoutman

Michigan

3.05/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pleasant if not a particularly hoppy pilsener. Hop profile is more german (hallertau) then czech (not saazy at all). Pleasant malt richness, but not quite hoppy enough to fit a quality pilsener definition. Malty sweet taste with a nice carbonation on this one, the slight hint of hops show through with the after taste being mostly that of malt and light hops.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2003 02:50:16 | More by stoutman

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

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

Barely fuzzy bright amber. The head is bone white, fluffy, soft and maintains a one finger disk for quite a while. Scattered scraps are the extent of the glass coverage. The nose is subdued. Pale malt and an indistinct hoppiness are about it.

Special Pilsner fails to float my boat. There's nothing bad about it, but it isn't the least bit interesting or complex either. The flavor intensity knob seems to be turned down too low. My taste buds are begging for more to work with.

What I do appreciate is grain-like and mildly bitter. The beer tastes dull and gives up the ghost before the flavors have a chance to impress. The mouthfeel is light-medium, which isn't that far out of line for the style.

Special Pilsner is my second Capital Brewery beer. Granted, that isn't much to go on, but I'm not impressed with these guys so far. This offering is strictly average. On the other hand, it doesn't have any glaring negatives. Calling it 'Not Very Special Pilsner' would be closer to the truth, but I'm pretty sure that sales would take a hit.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2004 22:26:37 | More by BuckeyeNation

steveh

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

No longer the "Special" Pilsner, but with the tagline: "Our Original Garten Brau."

A -- Hazy golden color with a thick, off-white head. Just a little too hazy for a German lager.

S -- Spicy and mildly citric noble hops up front with some sweet, bready malts peeking through - very nice.

T -- Hmm. Somewhat tart up front with some off vegetal character in-between, but some nice bready malts following up at the end.

M -- Light body with a crisp mouthfeel and dry finish.

D -- Drinkability is okay, if you aren't expecting the usual precision lager from this brewery -- I'm a bit disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2010 22:22:12 | More by steveh

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3.18/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Capital Pilsner pours a bright golden color with a nice size head. Very weak aroma, some malts but there is almost no aroma. There is a slightly malty taste, a bit watery. Easy to drink but the flavor is very weak, but there are weaker pils out there. Overall its not a BAD beer, but just very weak.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2012 06:22:32 | More by vette2006c5r

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a hazy light amber color with moderate white puffy head.

Smell shows a bit of malt, but mostly a slighty off-kilter sweetness..

Taste starts off moderately dry, but malt begins to kick in to balance it.

Thin in the mouth.

Drinkable, but not anything to revisit.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2008 22:54:14 | More by tgbljb

blackie

Virginia

3.28/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a: decent white head and a pale golden color on the beer

s: Not the bright, crisp, floral pilsner aroma I prefer, but not bad. A blend of pale malts and earthier noble hops. Bready and grainy.

m: medium carbonation and a lighter medium body

t: Pale malts and a moderate sweetness, not as clean as expected. Aged hop flavor and mild bitterness. A decent pils, but it could stand to be tightened up a bit.

d: easy enough

stolen from the fridge of dirtylou

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2007 04:41:55 | More by blackie

ZAP

Minnesota

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

I don't know if I'd use the term special when labeling this, but it's a decent drinkable Pils...not as good as New Glarus edel Pils or Schells Pilsner but along those lines.....

Pours a medium gold with a little 1/4 inch white fluffy head.....nose is grainy and malty...it's really soft...maybe some fresh floral notes too but you have to really strain...

Flavor is malty (for a pilsner)....grainy....sweet....finishes on a dry note....not sure what hops they used but I don't taste much saaz...

This is probably not too far off from what some American made macros tasted liked in the 60's and early 70's before they totally dumbed them down......nothing incredible, but a step up from the Macros of today....

I much prefer their Bavarian Lager as a session beer....I wouldn't buy this one if given a choice but really it's not a bad beer...just nothing really grabs me with it....

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2003 04:53:18 | More by ZAP

wiscokid920

Wisconsin

3.3/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into pint glass

A- Clear straw colored. White frothy one finger head with nice retention and lacing.

S- Grains, corn, and some subtle noble hop notes.

T- Honey sweetness, bready malts, grains with a touch of hop bitterness on the end.

M- Light body, nice carbonation. Clean and crisp up front and dry on the end.

O- Was quite surprised by the sweetness of this pils. I prefer mine to have more of a hop profile, but overall it’s a decent offering.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 00:29:40 | More by wiscokid920

daledeee

Iowa

3.35/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice yellow color with medium head and lace that stays. Nose is a little spicy. Taste is quite hoppy with just a little malt. I will try this again but it almost has a soapy taste.

It's just hard for me to give high marks to lagers. Too many are the same. This one is unique but I am not sure in a good way.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2004 01:03:26 | More by daledeee

PhantomVodoo

Ohio

3.4/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazed to cloudy brownish golden that looks like a very light caramel color. Off-white head.
Aroma dominated by grainy malt. Some earthy hops and corn as well.

Taste also prominent in grainy malts. Earthy hops provide a slight crispness, but are understated IMHO.

Good mouthfeel and drinkability although a little too grainy and sweet.
Overall a decent to solid pilsner.
Thanks to Blatzman for the bottle!

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2003 05:20:50 | More by PhantomVodoo

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.43/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Firm, frothy head, pale yellowy color. Good aromatics, fresh, floral nose. Taste is happily zingy, with an impressive hop presence on the palate, nice touch of sweetness, nowhere near as dry as Pilsner Urquell, just for example. Finish is sadly bland. A drinkable pils, but I'm not sure what makes it special.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2003 12:38:26 | More by feloniousmonk

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.43/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A fairly recent addition to the Oklahoma beer market, here's hoping they send some of their stronger stuff in the future...

Pours an effervescent gold with 2 fingers of fluffy ivory colored head. Good head retention & lacing

S: Grassyness & not much else...

T: Grassyness, soapyness & breadyness & some mineral dryness. More soapyness & crackery dryness as this warms. Finishes with much grassyness & soapyness, perhaps too much

MF: Light/medium bodied, light carbonation & pretty good balance

Pretty drinkable, but not terribly interesting, but clean enough that I could do 3 or 4 while watching a game if pressed. A bit more malt & hops is in order to hold my interest. Come on Capital, send us bocks & dopples please!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2010 02:57:33 | More by russpowell

abrand

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce twist off topped bottle poured into a pilsener glass. Looks like there is a new label for this beer that is different than the pictured above.

The German Pils pours a clear straw golden color with a quick dissolving head that leaves no lacing. Aromas are mostly breads and grains. No sweetness is noticed but some hop characteristics. Smell is mediocre at best. Quaff has plenty of doughs and a slight presence of malts. Sort of watery, sort of plain, nothing special. Mouthfeel is watery and has a dry finish. I may be biased on this since it is not my favorite style but I'm not sure I can handle more than 1 of these at a time. Just not much too any of the characteristics. Pretty straight forward beer with an okay drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2010 21:10:09 | More by abrand

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.43/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Has a clear light golden yellow color (as it should) with a one finger white foam collar that leaves behind minimal lacing. Smells of light grains with a hint of corn adjunct aroma and mild herbal hopping. Flavor is a strange beast: It seems to be a combination of German Pilsner-styled hopping with Czech Pilsner-styled levels of malt dryness, texture, and crispness. The corn aroma has nearly no matching presence at all in the actual flavor, but the herbal hopping certainly does make a solid presence in the finish. The body is appropriately light and snappy with carbonation. Overall, a rather solid if strangely dry pilsner.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 02:32:47 | More by WastingFreetime

ADR

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Darker gold color with a clear appearance and a small-bubbled shiny head of 1/4 of an inch. Mostly a hoppy aroma with a far-off sense of green grass and some bread smells. Malt flavors are nuttier than I expected, not overwhelming but more Munchener-like. Hops balance and dry the finish but like a German Pilsner, aren't Bohemian-like in delicate crispness -- more lemony astringent. Kind of an ordinary beast in Capital Brewery's stable of big, bad cold fermenters, but I'll try a few more come the dog days of summer.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2003 08:14:11 | More by ADR