Hop Point, american pils

HOP POINT

Style: Pils, American Pils
Brewed: Baba Jaga, Poland
Tested: Bottle, August 2016

Baba Jaga (Polish equivalent to a Boogey Man) is very nice name. Would this Pils be a Boogey Man for all boring concern beers?

In fact, this American Pils is a perfect illustration of what I have described recently in H41 Heineken lager review. There is a big difference between using the different strain of yeast (and all the work behind it) and taking aroma hops. Effect could be the same, but – first approach is master-level science (and maybe revolution); second one is just apprentice level craft.

Does this mean that this is bad beer? Not at all. It has beautiful light golden color. Its reasonably carbonated and pours with decent head. Reasonably malt and slight bitter in taste. Aroma is mostly floral and citrus.

Drinking it, I was wondering what was the idea behind that beer. Seems like an academic discussion, but it is not. I think the idea behind also decides on the note I give that beer.

If – Baba Jaga wanted to prepare a beer being a “bridge” between all hopheads and concern-lovers; a combination of modern and traditional taste – then congratulations. This beer kicks ass. Both sides will drink it and both should like it.

If – this beer was aimed at hopheads, and was supposed to be a modern interpretation of old beer style – then… it didn’t work.

Decide for yourself.

Viru

Style: Pils
Tested: bottle, spring 2015
Brewed: A. le Coq Brewery, Estland

Viru is the firs beer from Estland I have ever tried. That is a plus. It is also a well made commercial beer, pils-style, that can easily stand a comparison with any German commercial Pils. On contrary - this means that Viru is also boring like hell and I don´t really see any reason to buy it again.

Schönramer Pils, Pils

Schönramer Pils

Style: Pils
Brewed: Private Landbrauerei Schönram, Germany
Tested: Bottle, December 2014

This Pils was awarded with the Gold Award at the World Beer Cup 2014...
Do I need to add more?
If you can get this Pils go for it. It is surely not the cheapest one on the market (different online shops sell it at around €6/liter  -for comparison Licher is at €1,5), but its worth any cent you spend on it. Excellent and original adaptation of the Pils idea. I love it!

Licher Pilsner, Pils

Licher Pilsner

Style: Pils

Brewed: Licher Privatbrauerei

Tasted: Several times from 2009 to 2015, bottles and from the tap

Now this one is not going to bring me friends. When I first came to Hessen, I wanted to try some local bier. The name Licher was on every bar, shop and sign you can imagine. So I got it. Big mistake. I would say, this could have been the worst beer I have tried in Germany. I have to admit, that I have tested this one on my guests from Canada, UK and Poland and nobody ever liked it! Years passed, and I was still avoiding this beer. But recently, in December I got a bottle and drank it. Surprise, surprise - it was acceptable! Not good, but at least the first sip didn´t make me to throw away the rest of the bottle. Somebody told me, that the company moved from one hands to another and the new owner is working on the whole production process. Possible. Still, almost any Pils on the market tastes better than this one. Avoid.