Pilsner Urquell
Half-liter bottle served in the tall PU-branded pilsner glass. Perfect clarity in the light golden body. A 3-finger head erupts from the narrow cylindrical glass, but it's formed chiefly of large bubbles that die down into a skim fairly quickly. Lacing's OK. The nose is spicy and floral, with some crisp grains and a bit of doughiness in the background. Smoother than the fizzy carbonation might lead one to believe. A moderate amount of Saaz bitterness and some tangy lemon yield to a bready sweetness for a moment, then return for a couple of moments before being snapped off for a very crisp finish. A tiny hint of funk at the swallow. Overall impression: Crisp and refreshing, yet somehow a bit lacking in liveliness at the same time. I'd like to go back in time and try the former version of this beer.