Judge’s Review: 92 Rating – PIVO-tal Czech-Style Pilsner by Pivotal Brewing Co.

Czech Pilsner | Year-Round | USA

By Michael Heniff

Judges Rating: 92.00
Aroma: 21.00
Appearance: 6.00
Flavor: 37.00
Mouthfeel: 10.00
Overall Impression: 18.00

PIVO-tal Czech Style Pilsner by Pivotal Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Czech Pale Lager (category 3A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Czech Pale Lagers are golden-colored lagers noted for their malt flavors (typically bready in character) and an assertive yet balanced spicy hop character but with characters a little muted from the stronger Czech Premium Pale Lager. PIVO-tal was brewed with Saaz and Hallertauer Blanc hops.
This beer pours golden in color with excellent clarity and a medium, fluffy white head. The aroma is moderately light spicy hops complemented with a light pilsner malt. The flavor is moderate spicy hops with a lighter herbal note; lightly bready pilsner malt complements the hops. The beer finishes with a moderate bitterness with a moderate-light spicy hops and a hint of pilsner malt. The mouthfeel is medium in body with a moderately high palate-cleansing carbonation with a crisp and clean finish.
PIVO-tal is an exceptional Czech Pils. The hop flavor is spot-on, even despite the use of non-traditional Hallertauer Blanc hops. The malt flavor is from high-quality malt. The balance between the hops and malt is excellent; the hops shine and the malt supports, but neither impede the quaffability. Na Zdraví!