Lakefront Klisch Pilsner

Pilsner
5.4% abv
? IBUs
12 oz standard brown bottles

They Say:
“Named after our brewery’s founders, Russ and Jim Klisch, this beer is brewed in the tradition of great Czech pilsners.   A beautiful, brilliant blonde-gold pour with a light hoppy aroma. Malts and a slight hop bitterness round out the flavor of this classic style. Klisch is a smooth and full bodied golden lager you’ll remember forever.  Try Klisch Pilsner with any Bohemian or German dish, especially sausages. This beer has a full enough body to stand up to spicy and rich foods as well.  Ideal Serving Temp: 45-47° F”

http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/klisch_pilsner.html

Subzero Says:
Color – A beautiful, classic straw color which looks a bit darker than it probably is (wow, meta) due to a slight hazy opacity.  Must be unfiltered.  I LOVE unfiltered pilsners, even though many Beer Geeks consider it sacrilege, as I think the lager yeast flavor perfectly accents this style (better in the maltier Czech/Bohemian style than classic German though).  Perfect 1 1/2″ lacy head in a tall glass, with decent persistence (for a pilsner).

Aroma – Beautiful even layers of sweet malt and Saaz hops.  I can definitely tell this is Czech style right away. Mouth waterering ACTIVATED!!  It is exceptionally difficult to keep smelling this and not take a sip.  I am weak.

Taste – Hot damn.  THAT is what a pilsner is supposed to taste like.  This beer is soft and intense at the same time, like a….um…Harley pillow?   Equal parts malt fullness and spicy/floral hoppiness.  I prefer the Bohemian style because of that balance, and the yeast helps to round out the mouthfeel without making the beer feel heavy.  The carbonation is also soft and just lightly prickly, which is in keeping with the whole soft Czech concept.  No discernable mineral or alkalinity present.  Some minor corn-like sweetness as it warms, but not offensive.  I could drink a LOT of these.  Strike that….I just drank a lot of these.

Overall – I am continually impressed with Lakefront Brewery and wish I had found them sooner.  This beer and Fixed Gear are highlights of my recent personal beer tour, and Bridge Burner is solid, as well.  They have an Imperial Maibock which is the only one that has fallen short for me, although others might like that malt bomb style more than myself.  I say wait until porch and picnic season and go buy a case of this for the cooler.  Perfect Father’s Day beer.  Perfect with salty food…I’d kill for one of these at Sea Salt with some calamari and a nice oyster po’ boy.

Parting Shot — Other similar beers to find and try include Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold, Bayern Pislner (Missoula, MT), and the local reliables Surly Hell and Summit Pils.  The first two are similarly malt forward and the latter two not as much but in that general direction.