Ramstein Pilsner - High Point Brewing Company

Dantes

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Package: ½ gallon jug-style, screwtop, brown glass growler.

Presentation: Ramstein fluted glass at ~45º

Appearance: I actually thought this was lighter and more straw-colored than the golden lager; but the other reviewers seem to disagree with me. Since I didn’t compare them side-by-side, I could easily be wrong. Otherwise, a classic, crystal-clear straw-yellow with a touch of gold. Generated a beautiful white head, which didn’t last very long. Yielded some lace.

Smell: A lovely, grassy, noble-hops infused nose, with a nice background of malt. Spicy and prickly on the nose.

Taste: Again, a quintessential pilsner. Although not my favorite style, or one that I have all that much experience with; this jibed perfectly with the pilseners I remember from my German and Czech sojourns. Nicely spicy, Saaz-y bite, gentled by the surprisingly rich malts. There’s also a touch of fruitiness in the short, clean finish.

Mouthfeel: As usual, the carbonation was super-smooth and tight. The beer also had a surprisingly full, strong flavor and a medium body. Smoother and more finely carbonated than the Golden Lager. Greg estimated that the beer finished at an ABV of ~5.2%.

Drinkability: Another hugely drinkable Ramstein offering. I drank 2 growlers over about 3 days, decanting some into 2 Fischer bottles. The smoothness and complexity make this an ideal Summer quaffer.

Backwash: I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to get up to High Point soon enough to get some of this, but I was relieved to find out there was still some left. I bought three growlers (sadly, one didn’t make it to Minnesota). All I can say is that High Point keeps turning out some pretty great beers.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2004 18:34:08 | More by Dantes

brez8791

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -19.5%

07-24-2012 02:01:27 | More by brez8791

donniecuffs

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

It is important to note that the German-style Pilsener that Ramstein brews is actually an 'Imperial Pilsener', that is only brewed on rare occasion (unfortunately), and is strangely usually available at the Waterfront Ale House in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. The abv weighs in near 7%.

Into a pint glass, poured a slightly cloudy (as the sample I had was unfiltered) golden hue, with over two fingers of white, lots of carbonation, and great retention and lacing. The fact that this beer wasn't filtered (because it apparently usually is) was a God-send, because the nose picked up copious amounts of biscuit, malt, grass, bitter noble hops, hay, and some pear. The taste began with a bitter/herbal mix, followed by a nice malty balance midpalate, and finished on a crisp dry bitter note. Great flavor progression, and great balance. No hint of higher abv whatsoever. The feel was heavily carbonated, yet thicker than expected, yielding a nice balance. Dangerously drinkable; another beer that should be bottled and sold in stores.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2010 02:01:31 | More by donniecuffs

jwc215

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours golden with a white head that thins, leaving lacing.

The smell is floral and grassy/hay-like with a grainy touch in the back.

The taste is floral/grassy bitterness backed by sweet grainy malt. Bittering, dry, crisp finish.

Light-bodied and refreshing.

After several generous samplings of this, I'm glad I brought a growler of this. It showcases the hops very nicely while maintaining balance. Very nicely done. It is certainly sessionable!

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2008 14:15:26 | More by jwc215

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Brewery filled growler.

A sparkling gold crystal clear body, a steady stream of fine carbonation rising, all topped by a head of tight white foam, which started at three fingers and slowly laced down the glass. This is the image that the words "beer" or "Pilsner" should bring to mind.

Nice hay-filled nose. You feel like you're in the country.

Soft, smooth malt floor, with the hops gently tickling the mouth and tongue, and waying goodbye from the rear of the train as it pulls from the station, a nice lasting afterglow. An absolutely outstanding balance.

Mouthfeel is spot on for a summer seasonal pilsner, not watery, not syrupy, very soft.

Drinkability - damn, I should have bought more growlers.

Just another gem from Ramstein's draft only series. Get it fast, it's not going to last.

Serving type: growler

07-12-2004 03:11:51 | More by RonfromJersey