Edel-Pils - New Glarus Brewing Company

Realale

Missouri

4.58/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Clear medium gold, with a bright white extremely fine head that dissipates somewhat quickly to a thin rim.

Explosive spicy noble hop nose absolutely jumps out of the glass. Beneath it lurks rich, bready malt. How so few elements combine to make such a satisfying nose, I'm not sure, but this literally makes my mouth water.

Medium in the mouth with waves of malt barely kept in check by the spicy hops, and the hearty whack of bitterness that kicks in mid-palate. Gorgeous balance. Incredibly long, lingering finish with both the malt and hop notes echoing seemingly endlessly.

Luxuriant mouthfeel - the malt just fills each nook and cranny. Carbonation is fine and prickly - just enough to scrape the weight of the malt off the tongue before the next sip. And this is a beer to sip and savor. Drinkability is off the chart for me. I'll drink it all!

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2008 00:37:36 | More by Realale

cokes

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is my favorite American style pilsener, period. New Glarus has outdone themselves with this beauty.

Pours a rich crystalline golden color...nearly amber. Dense, creamy head. Very inviting. Nice sweet malty smell with faint (noble?) hop notes. And this needn't be sucked down ice cold. Actually, it considerable better out of the fridge for a awhile.

Smooth and creamy, and yet perky with CO2, and obviously attentively lagered. Full mouthfeel is New Glarus' trademark and it really pushes this beer to the top. Phenomenal to drink. Sweet near caramelly malts caress the taste buds, mingling with grain, and husk flavors. The noble hops enter and keep things nicely balanced, grassy and brown. I could go for a little more hop snap, then it might be truly perfect..
Quite honestly, this is one of the most complex pils I have had. The creaminess seems to bring out myriad hidden flavors. Maybe some faint vanilla, honey and herbal notes as well.

Great beer. On of NG;s upper tier. Excels in the spring to early summer. But since it is brewed year round, it's great anytime.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2002 18:21:51 | More by cokes

wheatyweiss

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a half chalice.

Pours a golden straw with a towering head that slowly recedes leaving sticky lace and rings.

Aroma is of garlic hops, very astringent. Malt is present, but not overly so.

Flavor is fruity, like fruit punch with a hit of malt and hops. Green apple and crisp greens. Hops are there, with a hint of clover honey and white sugar. This is one complex flavor profile that ends to many quaffs.

Mouthfeel is full and creamy.

Drinkability is awesome.

I know that New Glarus makes some good brews but I have never had a Pils as tasty as this one. Dan knows what he is doing, I only wish he wasn't local, so singing his praises wouldn't be overlooked.

Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2008 00:48:41 | More by wheatyweiss

WolfsbaneBloom

Illinois

4.44/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a perfectly clear golden straw with three fingers of fluffy off-white foam.

Smell: Spicy and floral hops, bready malt, and a nice lightly fruity yeast. I was expecting a typical pilsner aroma but this is quite nice. It does have a little bit of that sharpness inherent to the style but its softened by the Bavarian yeast.

Taste: Dry, crackery malt, lots of graininess, some spicy hops and fruity yeast. Picked up a little apple and lemon tartness as well.

Mouthfeel: Wow. Starts off crisp and then becomes incredibly creamy. Finishes extremely smooth. Carbonation seems to die off rather quickly but other than that I absolutely loved the feel of this one.

Overall, this was a fantastic pilsner. I've never been a fan of the style but leave it to New Glarus to make an expertly crafted version of a boring classic. In my opinion, this is the kind of beer they do best. Simple, clean, beautifully constructed lagers.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 17:10:54 | More by WolfsbaneBloom

ZAP

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Looks a little like apple juice in the glass....initial head fades quickly(seconds rather than minutes) to a flat looking beer....AMAZING clarity...nose if of toasty malt....I love the way this tastes...It is my kind of Pilsner, but true Pilsener lovers might appreciate more of a hop bite. It has a strong toasty malt flavor with just a twinge of a dry hop finish. Extremely drinkable....a great summer beer and my type of Pilsner..

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2002 21:40:43 | More by ZAP

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle obtained via trade with Skidz. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed 1/2" of white head over the straw-hued brew. Lacing is excellent. Aroma is lightly of pale malts, but I've never found pilsner-styles to overcome my lame sniffer, so if I smell anything, it must be significant. Taste is solid pale malts, with a crisp hit of slightly fruity hops at the outset. Refreshing. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both excellent. Great summertime brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2004 22:31:27 | More by ppoitras

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

New Glarus' Edel-pils reeks of rich, grainy malt, and not surprisingly, it's found in the flavor as well. Gently spicy and mildly floral hops round things out; and it's really well-balanced, displaying its rich maltiness without ever becoming sweet. The mouthfeel is great with its medium body and very fine-bubbled, restrained carbonation lending a caress to the tongue before warming to become creamy and smooth. Always satisfying and highly drinkable, this is one of my favorite beers (and that says alot!).

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2005 21:59:21 | More by NeroFiddled

jackndan

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very nice looking Pilsner beer, deep amber, almost red color. The head turned flat very quickly. Very nice aroma, earthy, fresh mown hay aroma. Rich malt flavors, deep mouth feel, smooth flavors throughout the after-taste. This is a wonderful smooth beer, with deep layered tastes throughout. I like this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2002 20:49:17 | More by jackndan

proc

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

For those who don't think a pilsener can be a good beer, think again. Edel-Pils is a fine pilsener, if not one of the best I've ever tried. Pours out to a darker, but still bright, golden color in the glass with a slightly off-white head that sticks around for awhile. Smell is that or faint yeast, but somewhat faintly sweet. Taste is that of a great hop to malt balance, with a slightly sweet tinge to it. Very similar to a European pils, i.e. Pilsener Urquell, Czechvar, etc, but better. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2002 05:48:15 | More by proc

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This crystal clear golden brew throws a nice creamy off-white head that sticks around for a little while. There are some orange tints noticeable also. Malt tones blend nicely with the noble hop accents on the nose. The spiciness noted isn't as great as true Bohemian or German style pilseners, but it's nice. Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy. Body seems to be about medium full. This is a very thirst quenching brew. Great subdued maltiness and hoppiness. Some spicy hop notes surface midway through. Nice malt backbone the whole way through. Very nice brew, but I do prefer their Hometown Blonde which is more of a true European style pilsener.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2002 19:33:18 | More by Bighuge

maxpower

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle beautiful golden in color with a nice white foamy head that doesn't seem to last long, light hoppy flowery aroma, balanced malt and hop flavors, medium to full mouthfeel has a clean crisp finish, I am not a big fans of pilsner but I love this one, well done.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2003 12:59:27 | More by maxpower

beerfairy

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Nice clear golden color. Nice head and lacing in the glass.

S: Crisp with a pleasing, grainy aroma.

T: Crisp with hints of malt and grain, goes down easy. No noticeable hop taste.

M: Well carbonated, pleasing dryness on the finish. Good stuff

D: Very easy to drink!

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2008 02:46:11 | More by beerfairy

bditty187

Nebraska

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear, bright gold in hue with hints of orange as well, there is some animation lazily dancing to the white head. The foam was one finger in height and the head retention was decent, it faded to a skimpy cap after a few moments. Subsequent lacing was stringy and unorganized. It looks like a Pilsner. The nose is uncomplicated but articulate. It is succinct like a dictionary definition and this beer would be the very entry for a Pilsner. Both the nose and palate are ideal for the style. The bouquet is largely malt with tons of crisp biscuit aromas, hints of grain but the maltiness is concisely “Pils.” Nice. Hops play a secondary role but their influence is easily noticeable, they offer some flowery, lemony smells. Clean. Tremendously inviting. I wish the potency were a little louder. In a word the palate is great. IMO, if you can’t dig this beer you just don’t like Pilsners. I’m not knocking you if you don’t; I happen too love it. The malt backbone is perfect, great strength, very firm and so damn tasty! It offers very slight and succulent sweetness that dances a sexy tango with the biscuit flavors. A trace of grain is a distant wallflower. Speaking of flowers, the hops contribute such a taste along with the most modest kiss of lemon. Great stuff. There is no start or finish, just full-on flavor at all times. The aftertaste really elevates this beer, it is a sense it is clean but I don’t forget what I just had. I don’t want that “empty” feeling either. Good crispness. Super refreshing. This is the best Pilsner I’ve had. Yummy! Medium/medium-full in body, modest but natural carbonation, it is ideal for this style of beer. The mouthfeel has some bulk and it has a very pleasant essence to it. Nice. Amazingly drinkable! This would be a great everyday beer or a BBQ beer or even a beer for the macro-lager crowd. I’m very impressed. I should have bought more than the six-pack I purchased in Milwaukee, WI.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2004 18:46:49 | More by bditty187

battlekow

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Edel Pils pours a crystal-clear golden color, with surprisingly little head or lacing. Smell has a funky Euro Lager character to it, very grainy. Tastes quite sweet upfront, verges on apple but doesn't quite get there. Lots of graininess in the taste as well. Lacking in hops relative to the style, I would think. Dryish finish. Pretty full mouthfeel for such a light beer. Overall, Edel Pils is extremely refreshing and oddly compelling.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2005 03:45:30 | More by battlekow

badbeer

Iowa

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Beer pours a light golden color with a quarter inch of head with a ring of lacing that lasts throughout. Hints of flowers in the aroma. Taste is slightly sweet at beginning with a hoppy finish. Mouthfeel is nice and full. Very drinkable brew, definately a pilsner that I will be frequenting when the opportunity arises. Let this beer warm a little, not room temperature, but it gets better when it's not ice cold.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2005 07:36:07 | More by badbeer

steveh

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Excited to see this back in the line-up. Haven't had it in so long and, honestly, can't recall what it was like back when.

A -- Clear, deep golden color with a long-lasting, pretty firm white head.

S -- Mildly spicy hop nose with lightly sweet, bready - even melanoidin in character - malts and a touch of DMS. Some very light fruitiness back, probably from hops.

T -- Lightly sweet, bready malts up front that blend into a mellow crackery graininess and finishes with a mild hop bitterness and a citrus tartness that lingers into the aftertaste.

M -- Mouthfeel is incredibly soft and smooth with a light to light-medium body. It's not as light as the typical American Light Lager, but it's certainly not heavy.

O -- Overall, this is a great drinker and very tasty as a fresh lager. My only complaint to style is that the hops seem a little lacking. This beer is more Helles than Pils in character, yet a very well-made Helles and goes down as good and delicious as any fresh tapped lager you'd find in Bavaria.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 21:19:59 | More by steveh

ryantupy

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Man this was an enjoyable pilsner it went great with my pasta and was a definate thrist quencher. It poured a strawish bronze color and has a little sticky lace. It smells very floral and wheaty. It tastes of smooth malts not to sweet yet to not to bitter. This beer is defiantly drinkable and is defiantly worth checking out if you can get ahold of it.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2005 23:14:21 | More by ryantupy

KeefD

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a golden yellow straw color with two inches of head and moderate lacing down the glass. big carbonation bubbles are keeping a nice cap on top of the brew. Smell is of some grainy malts and yeast, slightly fruity. Sweet malt character for a pilsener, some graininess and dry yeast finish. Nice hop character provides some crispness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, slightly creamy and goes down smooth. A great lager for the summertime or anytime!

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2008 20:34:39 | More by KeefD

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.21/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Edel-Pils is finally back after a drought of 4-5 years. I heard it was brought back to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of New Glarus Brewery because this was one of the original beers! This pours a clear, light amber color with a frothy head. The scent is quite grainy with a slight hint of hops. The taste is superb for a pilsner! Lots of rich flavor of grains, malts, and hops combine together to make a well balanced brew! This beer will pair quite well with most foods as it’s very simple yet very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 04:16:14 | More by Lemke10

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Been saving this one for a little while. It pours a slightly golden straw color, with a 3 finger head that fallst to coat the beer. The nose is slightly grassy and witha bit of noble hop. Smells like a pilsner should. The flavor is slightly honey sweet and grainey flavor. The hop is less than what I would want, but it is definately there. The feel is light to moderate, with a fairly active carbonation. This beer is very refreshing and crisp. The hop flavor is a little light, but this beer is a good example of a pilsner.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2005 02:34:07 | More by kmpitz2

ibashmuck

Wisconsin

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Purchased as part of "build-your-own-six-pack" at local grocer. Medium foamy head on a golden body. Smell featured the "lager bite", although the hop bitterness taste was moderate. Malts are very nicely balanced here, taste is very good, maybe a hint of some sweetness. Very smooth and easy to drink. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2008 21:57:14 | More by ibashmuck

beveragecaptain

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle. This beer pours out a pale golden color with a one inch head. Endlessly rising bubbles. Bready malt aroma with some apples. Pilsner malt flavor with some honey, apples, and grassy hops. This pils is not as spicy as some versions, but there are enough other interesting flavors to keep this beer from being boring. Full bodied for a pils, which is a good thing. Great drinkability too. Nice offering from New Glarus.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2005 23:49:56 | More by beveragecaptain

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.14/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle with no date

pours very clear, orange-gold color. very sweet smelling, buttery New Belgium-style malts, vanilla wafers, hazelnut spread. buttery sweet start and finish, the middle is my favorite: crisp, and tart. the sweetness lingers with a slight pepper feel on the finish.

not overbearingly sweet, but heavy in the nose and a lingering aftertaste. that said, it might do with some extra hopping.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 05:53:04 | More by jimmah120

demcorhip

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Another kick ass lager from NG. Looks good, straw coloured, very clear, moderate level of carbonation. One finger white head doesnt really want to stick around, and fades to a thin collar that intially manages to leave scant yet intricate lace.

Nice aroma. Pale, grainy malts with some husk and a touch of honey like malt sweetness. Hint of stewed veggies also present. Nice hop aroma, some fresh cut grass with a touch of lemon and hint of citrus blossom.

Straightforward and tasty. No surprises here, what is present in the nose carries through on the taste.

Crisp, clean light bodied lager. Slight creaminess almost provides more substance but is broken up by the moderate level of carbonation. Good stuff!

A very drinkable and sessionable brew. Goes down quite nicely on this warm July night. This beer was made for quaffing on a warm summer day and fits the bill quite nicely. Highly recommended for fans of pilsners, and may also serve as a good crossover brew. Would be a great choice for any gathering during the warmth of summer.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2008 04:05:53 | More by demcorhip

AKBelgianBeast

Alaska

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Homerbag for this extra.

Pours a nice clean golden pilsner with a white head that actually retains quite well. grassy nose with grain and slight straw. Taste follows, very lagery graininess, some hay, and a tiny bit of pepper. A slight cream. wierd i know, but its there, not obvious and works well with it though. A good mouthfeel that is just a touch too thick. Drinkability is quite good, a defenite good choice for a lawn mower refresher. Overall a solid pils from NG, as always, I am satisified with their product.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2008 01:40:40 | More by AKBelgianBeast