“Big Pigeon Pilsner is a clean, crisp pilsner made with premium malt and cold-conditioned for weeks until matured, boldly flavoured with noble hops for bittering, and for a bright finish: Nelson Sauvin and Motueka hops.”
Served in a footed flute glass. The appearance offers a pale and hazy golden hue with a finger of fluffy snow white foam capping it off. The head is maintained quite well and weaves a fine lace as we imbibe.
We’ve enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence with Pilsners this summer and it’s directly due to new world interpretations like this from Kereru. The nose provides a traditional grainy/cracker malt base beneath a lifted citrus and slightly herbal overtone thanks to the use of Nelson Sauvin and Motueka hops. It’s also quite grassy with hints of white grapes and very subtle lemon zest.
As to expected the texture is light on, crisp and effortless in the swallow. Nicely carbonated with a surprisingly firm bitterness forming in the tail.
A big blast of grassy hops, citrus and fresh herbs meet the front palate. The sturdy bitterness we mentioned before pairs up with the grainy and slightly honeyed sweetness through the mid as it finishes dry, crisp and grassy with an assertive bitterness drawing out on the back end.
This Pilsner is our first crack at this breweries range and we must admit it’s a pretty good way to kick off proceedings. Not only for this brewery but also for 2017!