Samuel Adams Hallertau Imperial Pilsner
Hazy, peachy-gold in hue with a slight orange influence; the color is wonderful! Poured into the Sam Adams Boston Lager Pint the head was a healthy two fingers tall; off-white in color. Excellent head retention, the foam is very slow to collapse. A modest cap lasted the entire consumption. The lacing was widespread, somewhat disorganized but awfully damn fulfilling to look at. Overall, this is a dandy beer to gaze at. Eye candy beer porn if you will. Huge hoppy nose! I *LOVE* how hoppy a pilsner can beer and still retain the aroma of a pilsner. For example, Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner smells Belgian to me (it is a lovely beer, BTW). The Hallertau hops are rockin! Grass, hay, earth, weeds, flowers, pine, resin, juicy lemon, wood, and hints of herbal spiciness. Amazing. I get hints of cracker/toasted bread maltiness, while secondary these aromas add great complexity. The alcohol is vaguely noticeable but I consider it very well hidden. I just adore the nose. I could smell it for hours but the invitation to take a sip is to strong. Mouthwatering. Perfect. So boastful and yet articulate! Regardless of style, this is one of the best beers I have ever had the pleasure to try. Amazing hoppy flavors upon taking a sip; grass, hay, earth, resin, pith, pine, citrus, and orange peel are the most vocal flavors. I get hints of wood as well. Bready/cracker maltiness, sort of dry but quite flavorful. BAM!!! The bitterness really arrives after a couple sips. My word, this is bitter and so pleasantly so! Screw DIPAs give me SA Impy Pils! The nearly 9% ABV adds warmth and some vague spiciness (and mental glee). I love the complexity of the flavors and the reward of tongue coating bitterness. This is a truly amazing beer; my taste buds crave for another sip as soon as I swallow the previous. I am addicted. Medium/medium-full in body, moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is perfect for this beer. It is not sluggish or too full; it has pilsner qualities to it. My tongue is numb with hoppy flavors what a great aftertaste. Drinkable? Shit yeah!! The three 4-packs were not nearly enough. I should have bought a case. I wish Nebraska had received more than a half pallet. Anyway, this is a World Class beer. It is a must try. Honestly, I might be understating how terrific this beer is. What a joyous quaff