Imperial Pils
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Story by:
Chris Guest
Experimental Beer
Special Release
California
United States
Judges Ratings 89
Aroma: 20 / 24
Flavor: 35 / 40
Appearance: 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 18 / 20
Description
When ya think about it, calling any PILS an IMPERIAL PILS is somewhat ironic. At the time of its creation in the dim recesses of post-stone-age / pre-X-box European city states the PILSENER style was indeed the IMPERIAL beer of its time, putting every other more colorful beer of its time to shame amidst a revolution of thermometer making. And without a doubt; its reign was long. Now American-born ales have usurped all of the imperialness there is to usurp and for the PILS to rise again, like every aspiration-ridden social ladder-climb-ing creature on the planet it must furthur evolve… This is that! We have made our own not-so-ordinary PILS every week of every year since 1996 and we have come to respect its stature in our own brewery-world..but Darwin never sleeps. Evolution persists, the weak are meat and the strong will eat, and now this brew has happened… furthur, further, furthur…
Beverage Profile
ABV: 8.60%
IBUs: 57
Served at: ()
Hops:
Malts:
Judges Review
By S J Klein
Judges Ratings 89
Aroma: 20 / 24 / 24
Flavor: 35 / 40 / 40
Appearance: 6 / 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 18 / 20 / 20
This is an incredibly big version of a pilsner. The nose has hints of grapefruit and sharp matchstick, which is totally appropriate for the style. You get a mouthful of hops before it even hits your lips. This beer is thick and cloying, but it hits all the right notes: Light corn up front, then a full bitter hop assault as it reaches the back of your tongue. They’re not noble hops, but the effect is still lovely. A deep resinous bitterness finishes on the sides of your tongue. The beer is sharp, effervescent, and brilliantly clear, with enough bubbles to keep a thick white head present all the way to the bottom of the glass. This is a fun take on a classic style on steroids. Boozy, cloying, bitter… and definitely worth a try.
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