Top of its Class -- Polestar Pilsner

Left Hand Brewing never ceases to amaze me; they brew in a way that modifies classic recipes ever so slightly in order to make amazing new creations that are extremely innovative yet hold true to the classic styles that inspired them.  Polestar Pilsner is not any different, Left Hand Brewing took the world's most popular brew style and made it a bit more robust and flavorful while still retaining the classic refreshing and crisp quality of a classic Pilsner. This beer is the only Pilsner that I drink in my regular winter beer rotation because it is a titan that is wrapped in in modest clothing. Subtle complexity is hidden within a light and refreshing demeanor yet it has a depth that allows it to compete with even the best Winter and Black Lagers.

I enjoyed Polestar Pilsner in a classic Pilsner glass where it pours a pale and clear golden yellow with small and uniform carbonation.  The light and airy white head dissipates quickly into a thin cloud that still aerates the beer yet does not compromise the flavor in any way. The nose is characterized by a hint of floral notes and a lingering essence of hops. The taste is light, crisp and balanced with the final impression being much more complex and flavorful than the body would indicate. The aftertaste has a mild skunk but this is a good thing with the slight bitterness and a hint of hops finishing this beer quite well. The Pilsner Malt and Pale 2-row grain help balance this beer in a way that makes it possible to drink all day as you are cooped up in a warm house on a cool day.

Left Hand Brewing’s Polestar Pilsner is an amazingly well balanced beer that is at the pinnacle of its style and can be enjoyed year round; whether it is cooling you down after a hot day or keeping you warm in the depths of winter.  

Winter Seasonals are Coming -- Accumulation White IPA from New Belgium

As temperatures drop and snow finally starts to fall I get extremely excited because it is finally winter beer season. The arrival of this amazing time is marked by the release of one of my favorite seasonals; Winter White IPA by New Belgium. This beer is best enjoyed in a Tulip glass sitting by the fire as the muffled world outside your frosted window fills with snow.

Accumulation is a rare breed known as White India Pale Ale which is a relatively new style inspired by the American IPA revolution.  Accumulation leverages the best aspects of the American IPA and minimizes the ones that turn so many drinkers off. The first thing you notice is that the bitterness tends to be much cleaner and smoother than its hop-forward cousin, and the Belgian Ale yeast used causes a sort of dry finish that is very pleasing and helps offset the palate destroying aspects of the standard American IPA.  The color is a cloudy pale yellow with with light pure white foam and on first pour smells faintly citrus with only a slight note of it’s hoppy base.  The beer itself is cautiously hopped and quite subtle with the wheat malt balancing out the flavor profile extremely well. Dry-hopping is evident with a satisfying but not overbearing in either finish or taste.  

This is an extremely well balanced beer that I look forward to enjoying on many cold winter days as the sunlight slowly fades.