Samuel Adams Imperial Pilsner 2005 Harvest
This beer is a murky dark orange color like apple cider with a thick tan head. Fine rings of lace form on the glass as I drink. An unexpected appearance for something calling itself a Pilsner, even an Imperial one, but since it is one of those fun recently made-up styles, whatever goes, goes. I detect orange in the nose. The beer tastes very hoppy to say the least. There is some orange and other citrus fruit and a general sense brash, coarse bitterness that cannot be tied to anything in particular. On second thought, sucking on a tea bag may produce a similar result, though I dont think Ill be giving that a try. None of this is a bad thing, of coursethis beer is all about the hops and the richness of flavor they can produce. There seems to be a meek hint of bready sweetness in theresomewhere. The mouthfeel of this beer is rather thick and it has a medium level of carbonation. This beer reminds me of an American Barleywine in a lot of ways with its thickness. Again, any Pilsner connotations are sort of lost on me, but whatever. This beer is drinkable for a big beer, though the thickness takes its toll.