The One They Call Zoe

There is a bold herbal, earthy and spicy hop aroma in this beer. The hops are slightly floral with a slight pungency, but not minty or citrusy or anything undesired. The malt is sweet with a touch of bready doughiness. There are no off aromas from the fermentation, and the color is a slightly hazy deep straw (quite likely a chill haze, but unexpected if properly lagered). The head is a fine, persistent off-white with a thin layer of bubbles. The aromatic sensations translate smoothly into the flavor: herbal hops with a rich, but not unbalanced, malt character. The malt is well-developed with a bready character. The finish leans towards the hops, especially a touch of black-pepper spice, but the malt lingers well into the finish as well. There are hints of mineral in the water with just a touch of salt and chalk. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with some creaminess from the malts. A slight mineral bite is noticeable, especially towards the finish. This may be exaggerated by a touch of carbonic astringency as well. This is a very enjoyable Czech Premium Pale Lager. The malt and hop profiles expose good complexity and are very appropriate for the style. I do taste some water character coming through that throws it off from the very soft water that characterizes the Pilzen region of the Czech Republic, where this beer style originates, but regardless, this is a strong example of the style and is well worth seeking out.