Brewery: Zyweic Brewery, Poland
Price: approx $2 (single)
ABV: 5.6%
Not sure how to pronounce this one but Zyweic Pilsner is apparently the most popular beer in Poland. It’s been brewed for over 150 years and became popular worldwide after WWII as the people of Poland brought the beer with them to other countries.
I tend to shy away from anything labeled #1 or best, but in my quest to try all the Pilsners on the planet it was a necessity. I purchased this beer as a single for a couple dollars at Total Beverage in Westminster CO. They have a giant selection of singles and this one jumped out from a packaging perspective.
The back of the label is pretty cool. If the beer is at its “ideal drinking temperature” (I assume this means “cold”) a Zyweic logo appears on the pilsner glass. You can sorta see it below:
I’d have to say, thats really the only thing that stood out about this beer. Cool package and love the history, but the flavor seemed very Heineken-esque to me. Which is fitting since Heineken is the majority owner of this brewery. Zyweic is worth trying and certainly drinkable, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it.
Pilsner.me Rating
- Sniff Test: 2
Smells like a Heineken to me. - The Package: 4
Very cool, old-school packaging catches the eye. Their logo includes a couple dancing in traditional Krakow clothing - a historical symbol very important to the Polish culture. - Appearance: 4
This is a great looking beer when you pour it in a glass. Long-lasting head with a honey color. Continuous streams of carbonation rising to the top. - Skunk-factor: 4
Definitely some Skunk action in this one. - Deliciousness: 3
Has a Heineken-like aftertaste. Not much interesting going on with the flavor but drinkable nonetheless.
Overall - 6 of 10
Brewery: Victory, Downingtown, PA
Price: $9.99 (six pack)
Ever wonder what carbonated bong water with hops tastes like? Wonder no more. Victory has achieved an essence only to be compared with the lights going dim at a (insert your band name here) concert with its Prima Pils.
1) THIS IS NOT A BAD THING, and
2) It’s really only the first sip. Theres a lot more going on with this beer. It’s delicious.
…scores to come
Brewery: Oskar Blues, Longmont, Colorado
Price: $8.99 (6 pack)
ABV: 5.3%
This beer comes in a can, as do all of Oskar Blues amazing beers. Mama’s Little Yella Pils holds a special place in our livers as it comes from one of the many amazing breweries in Northern Colorado. Originally from the tiny town of Lyons CO (just north of Boulder) Oskar Blues has all but blown up on the micro beer scene with a facility in Longmont (a significantly bigger town) that we have yet to tour.
I haven’t bothered to do any research on it, but my local liquor store dood tells me that there’s a story behind the screen on Oskar Blues cans. Apparently they wanted to name a brew after cannabis and the FDA wasn’t cool with it. So, as a big “FU” they put a “screen” imprint strategically located on the can.
Accordin’ to their site…
Mama’s Lil Yella was a winner at the 2009 World Beer Championships and “Unlike mass market “pilsners” diluted with corn & rice, Mama’s is built with 100% pale malt, German specialty malts, and Bavarian hops. While it’s rich with Czeched-out flavor, its gentle hopping (35 IBUs) and low ABV (just 5.3%) make it a luxurious but low-dose (by Oskar Blues standards) refresher.”
Pilsner.me Rating
Skunk-factor (1 to 5)
2
Deliciousness (1 to 5)
4
How I feel after 3
“I could have 3 more, or I could move on…”
Traditional Rating
Appearance - 4 of 5
hint of cloudiness, gorgeous golden color, no glass lacing, comes in a kick ass can too!
Aroma - 3 of 5
smells like beer to me, but if I had to label it - sweet honey-like smell
Palate - 4 of 5
balanced palate. lingers just long enough.
Flavor - 4 of 5
on the sweeter side, but has a good hoppy bite I like in a European pilsner.
Overall - 17 of 20
