Coldfire Brewing's Italian-Style Pilsner

Indie Batch Series

5.2% ABV 27 IBU's
Untappd - 3.97/5

To cool for Beer Advocate

5D. German Pils Overall Impression: A light-bodied, highly-attenuated, gold-colored, bottom-fermented bitter German beer showing excellent head retention and an elegant, floral hop aroma. Crisp, clean, and refreshing, a German Pils showcases the finest quality German malt and hops.

Found at Market of Choice (Willamette St) - Hails from their local Eugene Public House.

I know what you're thinking (not really, I am just taking a stab), how can an Italian-style Pilsner be in the German Pils guidelines? Well, you take a German Pilsner, add some floral hops, a little bit of bitter citrus and a Vespa (with an Italian gentleman saying ciào) and violà! Oh wait, "violà" is French...I guess that explains the Moulon Rouge in the background of the beer picture...On to the review!

Appearance: A golden straw color with a fancy, foamy head. Nice lacing as the head dissipates.  8

Aroma: A big floral presence upfront with a herbal and malty aroma backbone. Has a citrus undertone to it as well.  7.9

Flavor: Clean with a floral sweetness to start which quickly gravitates to a citrus bitterness. Has a nice, peppery spiciness kick to it as well that lingers on the back of the throat.  8

Mouthfeel: Crisp, bright and light bodied. The pepper on the back, while tasty, is a little harsh...just a little.  7.8

Overall: I really liked this Pilsner from Coldfire. I don't drink them that often because Pilsners are just not that interesting to me. Don't get me wrong, a well done Pilsner is great in certain situations, they just don't make their way into my hand the way a barrel-aged stout does. The Italianizing does add character to the Pilsner style that I can get behind. Well done Coldfire! Ciào!  7.92

Matt's mark: 3.96/5

Fruit Monster by Great Notion Brewing

Photo by my beautiful daughter Madison

Tart Ale with Mango, Guava, and Peach

6% ABV No IBU's

Beer Advocate - 4.25/5
Untappd - 4.26/5

28B. Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer

American Wild Ales are beers that are introduced to "wild" yeast or bacteria, such as Brettanomyces, Pediococcus, or Lactobacillus. This introduction may occur from oak barrels that have been previously inoculated, pitching into the beer, or gained from various "sour mash" techniques. Regardless of the method, these yeast and/or bacteria leave a mark that should be noticeable to strong, and often contribute a sour and/or funky, wild note. Mixed-fermentation examples will display a range of aromatics, rather than a single dominant character.

From the source in Portland, Oregon.

Shout out to my good friend Jeremy Eckstein for offering to grab me a four pack of this beauty (also another four pack of Pineapple Pillows IPA). This made for quite the treat on Mother's Day...I just need an encore for Father's Day.

Appearance: A delectable creamy tangerine with a foamy white head. The head dissipates quickly leaving a hazy good looking brew...I must admit, the hazy look is growing on me a bit.   8.3

Aroma: A bright guava and mango bonanza. I couldn't make out the peach but sometimes my sniffer fails me...especially this time of year. Still, if you could taste an aroma...  8.4

Flavor: Uuuuuuh, maybe you can taste an aroma? The tartness delivers up front with explosions of peach, mango and guava one right after the other...what more do you need?  If I were crazy, maybe pineapple.  8.4

Mouthfeel: Creamy and smooth. This low to medium carbonated brew goes down quite easy and is highly refreshing.  8.2

Overall: My last post was about the Wishing Wand, which is still my favorite. But this crowd-pleaser just landed in second position, pushing out Mango Flossi. Great Notion has quite the reputation. I have not had anything bad from them...then again, I have only had 3 brews from them. They are hard to get a hold of in my neck of the woods (even though I reside in the same state).  This version (that's right, I said version) of the Fruit Monster was delicious. I can't wait to try another version of it. 8.33

Matt's mark: 4.17/5