Samuel Adams Noble Pils
One would expect Noble Pils, so named because it is brewed with all five varieties of Noble hops, to carry the characteristic grapefruit-bitter IPA aroma. This is true, but not to the extent that the label might suggest. There is a good hop aroma drifting from the glass, but the bitterness is blended nicely with a sugary rosewater scent. Underneath this is the clean toasted grain smell of a good quality pilsner, giving the beer a crisp, light feeling. On the tongue, the brew is fairly hoppy, but the level is roughly on par with a medium-strength IPA. What is immediately noticeable is the variety and quality of the hoppy ingredients, which swim across the nose in ever-changing rivulets of grapefruit, pine, lychee nut, and rosewater, maintaining a breadth and depth that is fascinating and alluring. Again, below this is a good-quality pilsner, full of apricots, toasted grains, and crisp apple flavors. The aftertaste is a good combination of grains and (mostly) hops, much like the main mouthful. Mouthfeel is medium-light, and carbonation is medium-high. Overall, this is excellent fare, and should be on the must-try lists of both pilsner and hop enthusiasts.