Gordon Biersch Czech Style Pilsner

I had the pleasure to once visit one of Gordon Biersch brewpub/restaurants in San Diego, CA. It was a pleasant visit with an really nice atmosphere. The beers I tried that time tasted kind of moderate for being craft beers. It reminded me a little bit about Samuel Adams, not industrial but not truly the best flavors for hop heads either.

APPEARANCE: (3) This Czech Style Pilsner pours nicely into my testing glass. The foam is moderate even if the beer is served at a somewhat warmer temperature than pilsner style beers usually are served at.

I could smell a typical malty flavor when I poured this beer into the glass. A repeated twirl of the testing glass does not reveal that much more aroma but nothing smells bad. AROMA: (2)

The TASTE (4) is malty and clean. Malt dominates the palate and there is just a little bit of bitterness hops lingering in the after taste. This is a good session beer and can also be successfully paired together with numerous dishes. It is true to it's ancestry and is a great example of how good a lager can taste. No acidic or sulfuric taste like industrial brewed lagers.

Gordon Biersch does not print serving temperatures or alcohol content on their labels which I think all breweries should do. New Belgium is an excellent example of doing this on all their beers. The label is somewhat a 'traditional style one obviously depicting Prague. However their website gives all that information so I can at least give them a 3 EXTRA points for this beer.




Gordon Biersch Website

Beer style: Lager/Pilsener
Serving temperature: cxcx
Alcohol: 5.2%
Hops: Hallertau & Tettnang, 30 IBU
Food Pairings: Hot Dogs, Burgers, very versatile beer with food.

APPEARANCE: 3 x 5 = 15
AROMA: 2 x 10 = 20
TASTE: 4 x 10 = 40
EXTRA: 3 x 1 = 3

Total: 78/130