Westheimer Premium Pilsner. 4.8% abv. Pale straw color with a finger of white bubbly head. Clear. Good retention coupled with outstanding lace. Nose of bright sweet corn, grain, light vegetal. Aroma of herbal soap comes across after a bit. Front taste of grassy malt, mild herb, corn husk, sweet herbal on the back end. Aftertaste is grain, sweet botanical, mild bitter herbal hops, dry finish. Light body. Mouthfeel is cool, soft, carby, clean.

This is an excellent pilsner, which is saying a lot considering that, next to sours, pils is my least favorite type of beer. Still, despite my reservations, a good beer is a good beer, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's well constructed end to end, starting with a light yet dancing aroma, continuing with a flavor profile that offers a gentle blend of malt, herbs, and distant sweet botanicals. The body and feel are superb, and the overall impression is refreshing and slightly sweet.

I love old world classics as well as new world craft beers, and this is a wonderful old beer that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. I've always preferred German pils over Czech or Austrian pils, and this beer further supports that. Very good stuff. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Unpasteurized, full-flavored live German lager. Produced strictly according to the German Purity Law of 1516."

[source: bottle]

"One of the best beers in Germany. Year after year, Westheimer Premium Pilsener beer passes the hardest test in the world. Experts at the German Agricultural Society rate this peak Pilsener with top marks. A Spitzen pilsener with multiple awards for quality and taste, you can count Westheimer Premium Pilsener rightly with the best beers in Germany. Craft brewing from exquisite ingredients is what makes Westheimer Premium Pilsener true to the German Purity Law of 1516, carefully brewed and then aged for a full four weeks for unique Pils quality."

[source: westheimer.de]

Tioga-Sequoia 'Cool As A Cucumbier' Pilsner. 4.9% abv. 22 IBU. Clear straw golden color. Finger of white small-bead head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of cucumber, grass, mild spicy botanical. Front taste of cucumber, canned veggies, celery root, bitter herbal on  the back end. Aftertaste is herbal, grassy, vegetal. Light body. Mouthfeel is cool, crisp, light, dry finish.

This is a unique and interesting beer that challenges my tastebuds. "Refreshing" is the word often used to describe it. I certainly agree that it's refreshing, in regards to its light flavor and body. It's best enjoyed at a backyard barbecue like the one I was at. The challenge comes in the amount of cucumber taste. The beer absolutely delivers on its promise of cucumber, and it should be commended for not fearing its own flavor as many novelty beers do. However, I'm afraid it crosses my personal line for cucumber, its flavor crossing over into grass clippings and celery root. Pass on this one.

From the brewery:

"We have taken the phrase “Cool as a Cucumber” to the next level. Cucumbier is a cool crisp Pilsner made the traditional way using Bohemian malts, and Saaz hops. A subtle cucumber flavor rolls gently into grassy notes of the hops, and then finishes soft and smooth. We hand peel and juice hundreds of pounds of locally sourced organic cucumbers to produce this well balanced, exceptional lager. Cucumbier is perfect for floating down the river, hiking in the high Sierra, or simply barbecuing in your backyard. Enjoy!"
[source: tiogasequoia.com]

Sierra Nevada 'Nooner' Pilsner. 5.2% abv. 38 IBU. Yellow-gold color. Thick white head with good retention and scattered lace. Nose of light malt, herbal hops, faint grassy. Front taste of floral bitter hops, grain. Aftertaste of bitter hop, slightly buttery, crackers. Light body. Mouthfeel is cool, spiced, dry, brisk.

This is a good pils that offers easy drinking and less hop bitter harshness than many others in its category. The hop profile is flowery, fresh, and ample without dropping off the cliff. A nice sessionable brew. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"A crisp, hoppy take on the original session beer. Gather your friends, pack the gear, and head out to wherever the day may take you. A midday go-to, Nooner is our take on the classic German-style pilsner—one of the original session beers. Nooner is easy drinking yet packed with the big flavor of spicy and floral whole-cone hops. Its brilliant golden color begs you to take a sip and sink your taste buds into an extremely welcoming beer, full of flavor and balanced by a crisp, dry finish."

[source: sierranevada.com]

Saranac Wild Hop Pils. 5.2% abv. 28 IBU. Pale gold color. Mild floral hop nose. One finger of head off the pour that drops alarmingly fast. Within two minutes, there is almost no carb or lace at all. Tastes of mild banana, grapefruit, faint hops. Thin body. Mouthfeel is bubbly at first, thin for the remainder. Aftertaste is brief. This beer was a disappointment. I can't imagine buying it again.

From the brewery:

"This unique pilsner is the first to use the Belma hops, discovered growing wild on a farm in the Yakima Valley. Crisp. Refreshing. One of a kind."