Showing posts with label Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Thursday, 27 March 2014 0 comments

Sly Fox Brewing Pikeland Pils

Sly Fox Brewing Pikeland Pils
Style: Pilsner
Alcohol Content: 4.7%
From: Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA
Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney 

Finally after months of flooding it appears that the UK is finally drying out. Near tropical temperatures of 15 degrees centigrade have been recorded in London this week prompting the daffodils to awaken and bloom. To many daffodil sightings are the first signs of Spring and people begin planning for their summer holidays. I am no exception to this as I have recently booked a two week holiday to Croatia. The winter has however played havoc on my body and I am rather out off shape. So as the weathers improved, I have decided to start running again. After running just over three miles yesterday, I was in need of some light refreshment. I have often seen runners turn to beer after their gruelling exploits so I decided to do some research and find out more.

The answer is surprisingly uncomplicated. Beer is made up from 99.5% water with the rest being made up from malted barley, hops and yeast which are all rich in vitamins and minerals. Researchers suspect that sugar, salts and carbonation in beer combine to help people absorb the fluid more quickly. Faster hydration after exertion helps you to recover quicker. So next time you run home from work, grab a cheeky pint to recharge, doctors orders!

Sly Fox Brewery hails from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in December 1995 by the Giannopoulos family as the Sly Fox Brewhouse and Eatery. When off-premise sales increased beyond the Phoenixville location’s ability to keep up, Sly Fox opened a 20-barrel production brewery and accompanying restaurant in nearby Royersford, in November 2004. However this was not enough for Sly Fox as in 2012, they choose to open a third site in  Pottstown to take their annual production up to 3,600 barrels. The subject of this review is their Pikeland Pils, a Pilsner style lager.  

Pikeland Pils

Colour: Pours a lemon yellow with a thick white head that reminds me more of a Weiss beer than a pilsner. It's so thick that you could mistake it for a Mr Whippy (minus the flake of course). This dies down after a few minutes but coats the side of the glass beautifully. Unlike every other pilsner I've ever drunk, the beer is very opaque. So much so, you almost can't see the bottom of the glass.

Aroma: Not the most perfumed beer in the world but you can certainly smell aromas of freshly cut grass and subtle hints of lemon.

Body: Very light and refreshing as every good pilsner should be. This beer will help refresh you after a hard day at work or a long run like the one I undertook earlier today. There is no clogging on the back of throat and sips down a treat.

Taste: On the first sip you will be presented with notes of freshly cut grass and subtle hints of lemon and honey in the background. As the drink warms slightly, a slight wheat note comes to the fore. This changes the character of the beer some what to become very reminiscent of a Weiss beer minus the banana and cloves. Very different to the soft perfumed pilsners from Czech Republic and Germany that I am used to but very nice all the same. A twist on a modern classic style some may say. The finish is mildly bitter but very crisp. The perfect refresher.

Pikeland Pils


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Tuesday, 21 January 2014 0 comments

Victory Prima Pils

Victory Prima Pils
Style: Pilsner
Alcohol Content: 5.3%
From: Downington, Pennsylvania, USA
Purchased From: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames
http://www.victorybeer.com/

It’s been a while since I last reviewed a Pilsner and to be honest, I can’t even remember the last time I drank one. After hoppy IPA’s and dark malty Stouts, a crisp and dry Pilsner was a welcome break from the craft beer norm. So after a long internet search, I came across Victory Prima Pils, whom in a you tube video claim that their Pils, is the best Pilsner in the world; well let’s see about that. 

Founded in 1996 by Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski in an old Pepperidge Farm bakery, Victory has grown considerably and evolved well outside the traditional small market of a beer-brewing restaurant. The brewery's first three beers were Victory Festbier, Brandywine Valley Lager (now Victory Lager), and HopDevil Ale. Initially they thought that the malt forward Victory Festbier would become their most popular beer. However, they soon realized that consumers craved very hoppy beers, such as HopDevil Ale, the most. The brewery uses an automated, energy recovery, 50 BBL system made by Rolec in OberBayern, Germany. Victory also brews using traditional methods where appropriate, such as using the energy intensive decoction process for production of certain German style lager beers.

Prima Pils
Its Prima Time!
Unfortunately, when I brought this Victory Pils from the Real Ale shop, it was already a couple of days out of date. So as soon brought it home I popped it in the fridge to try later that night. Will that affect the taste? I hope not.

Colour: Pours a rich straw yellow with a nice brilliant white head. This will dissipate after a few minutes but it's remnants lace the glass beautifully.

Aroma: Notes of grass mixed with fresh floral aromas dominate. These are under pinned with hints of pine and crisp soft water. In short it's like the Bavarian alps in a glass. Ah it takes me back to my holiday in Munich!

Body: Very light to drink as most Pilsners traditionally are. The drink is very heavily carbonated which is drastically different to the ales I have reviewed previously in this blog. Honestly, it makes a welcome change.

Taste: Normally, I am not of fan of any Pilsner that is not made in either the Czech Republic or Germany. Will this drink change my mind? Well the answer is most definitely a Yes! (Insert Daniel Bryan's pointing to the sky). The pale malts provide a lovely slightly sweet and crisp taste to start which is promptly followed by a long lingering, lemon bitter finish created from the blending of Hallertau and Saaz hops. Very nice indeed, but is it the best Pilsner in the world. Sorry Victory, but for me that honour is still held by Pilsner Urquell. Disagree? Let me know what you think by commenting below.
Prima Pils

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/ellezelloise-hercule-stout.html

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