Main Street Pilsner is a collaboration between two Main Street entrepreneurs, Cameron Forsythe (Public Lounge) and Nigel Pike (Cascade Room), and is brewed in Surrey by the Russell Brewing Co. The pilsner style originated in the Czech town of Plzeñ and was a response to the popularity of pale ale.
Essentially, a pilsner is a lager, and is fermented cool and conditioned cold, which slows down the yeast metabolism and happens at the bottom of the tank, unlike ales that are warm and top-fermenting. The slower and cooler process takes more time and produces a clean, crisp and less complex beer that focuses it’s flavour in the malt and hops as oppossed to the some of the fruity esters found in ales. In fact, any evidence of fruit in a lager or pilsner is considered an off-flavour and should be avoided.
The Main Street Pilsner pours a clear golden yellow and produces a robust creamy white head with a subtle floral and hay-like aroma. Brewed with noble hops (most likely the Saaz variety, as it is a Pilsner after all), the taste is floral with a nice spicy hop note and finishes clean and slightly bitter. At 18 IBU’s it is actually far less bitter than the more traditional examples that range from 30-40 IBU’s, which makes it more drinkable. Essentially, this is a no-frills session beer and a good one at that.
Brewer: Main Street Brewing Co.
ABV: 5%
Category: Pilsner
Appearance: 3.5
Aroma: 3.5
Flavour: 3.5
Mouthfeel: 4
Overall: 3.5
Score: 18/25
~ PK
Beer supplied by Brewery Creek Liquor Store.
