Sawmill Brewery Pilsner

Rating:

image“Biscuity pilsner malt and distinctive Motueka and Riwaka hops bringing aromas of lemon and lime. Nelson Sauvin for a tart gooseberry hit. Straw coloured appearance, brilliantly clear, with a long lasting white head. Crisp and bitter. Medium dry finish.”

Served in a flute. Relatively clear golden appearance with just the slightest haze. It knocks up a modest finger of head which holds up quite well, working a healthy lace as it ebbs.
There’s just something about kiwi hops that work particularly well with pilsners. The hop bill is made up of Riwaka, Motueka and Nelson Sauvin – the two previous (being bred from European Saaz hops) bring a distinct green and fresh citrus and herb character while the Nelson Sauvin offers a somewhat lemony somewhat tart berry profile. Nice grainy/biscuity malt base being incorporated as well.
In the mouth it’s crisp and zingy with a vibrant Co2. Light on and effortless in the swallow. Good amount of hop bitterness coming on as well.
It presents a good splash of hop character upfront: zesty citrus, gooseberry and white grapes with the dry but clean grainy malt in tow. The bitterness really kicks in to gear mid way, reaching well in to the clean finish where we find light notes of grapefruit and pine offering good length in the tail.
We may be hop heads but we like our pilsners leaning more on the traditional side. Just a little too heavy on the hops here….that’s in no way a negative though…just our personal opinion. On merits it’s a light, crisp and sessional pilsner that’s super easy to put back. Not bad.