Judge’s Review: 92 Rating – For The Love Of Lager: German-Style Pilsner by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.

German Pils | Limited Release | USA

By Rick Franckhauser

Judges Rating: 92
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 37
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 18

For The Love Of Lager: German-Style Pilsner by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. was judged as BJCP category 5D, German Pilsner. The aroma opens with a moderately high level of spicy and floral hops that are fresh and inviting. Just a hint of sulfur is present, which may be hop-derived or via the lager yeast, as it comes across as a touch yeasty with some underlying bread dough. Additional grainy malt raises up after that, and the floral hops become more dominant as it warms. Clean and fresh aromatics. The beer is a deep straw color and brilliantly clear. It is topped with a creamy white head and maintains a nice foam cap throughout. Lots of tiny bubbles are ascending, making this a beautiful beer.
The floral hops are more pronounced in the flavor than what was found in the aroma. Some herbal hop flavor also joins the party, which are fresh and lovely. Some sweet malt comes through to smooth and round out the bitterness. The balance is toward the hop flavor. Personally, I’d like a touch more bitterness, but the beer features a very pleasant, medium-dry finish. The yeasty, sulfury note appears toward the end as the floral hops reappear and carry into the aftertaste. The beer has a medium-light body with moderate levels of carbonation. A smooth and soft mouthfeel that’s somewhat creamy follows, and it’s maybe a touch too creamy for a German Pils. A little minerality would be welcome here.
I do love a good lager and this Pils is an excellent example of the style. In fact, it is one of the better American craft versions I have had. Great fresh noble hop aromatics and flavors are present with a nice malt backbone. I really enjoyed the interplay between the hops and malt, although it seems a touch too sweet for the style or perhaps leaning toward a Bavarian example. As a German Pils, I would like it be slightly crisper and lean a little more into the bitterness or provide a little minerality to help push the balance toward bitter. However, there is nothing to complain about here, as I would gladly knock back a liter of this at a biergarten.