Human Robot Head Brewer and Partner Andrew Foss Talks Hallertau Pils
96 Rating - Exceptional
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Editorial Dept.
We spoke with Human Robot head brewer and partner Andrew Foss about Hellertau Pils.
Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe?
I’d been sitting on this recipe for a few years. I worked out the mash on some one-offs with different hops, but then I moved on from that job and worked under another brewer for a while. When I started with Human Robot, I had this one ready to go. We’re always tweaking, but the basic outline remains the same.
What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
Our pils is probably more malt-focused than most examples you’ll find in the U.S. It’s more influenced by industrial pilsners like Bitburger (which is truly amazing when fresh), fused with some of the offerings you’ll find in Franconia, which are less hoppy with a more significant malt and fermentation profile. Most pilsner brewers in the U.S. look to a northern example (like Jever) for inspiration: squeaky clean, low body, and a lot of hops.
What makes this beer truly World Class?
I’m not sure I’m qualified to speculate on that, but I will say that I and the rest of the brewing staff keep a keen eye on this beer. There can be a little drift from batch to batch as raw materials change, and keeping it right on target is important to all of us. I think that shows.
What is your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, etc.)?
I simply love this beer. I love watching our bar staff pour it for guests. I love brewing it, too, as there’s a real rhythm to the mash program. For a long time in brewing, balance was seen as boring, and everything had to jump out at the drinker. Hallertau is just simplicity expressed well.
How popular is this beer among your faithful fans?
Hallertau Pils is our number-one beer. It’s been our best seller overall in every sales report I’ve seen, and it makes up about 20% of our total production.
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