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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Lagers Get Some Love

Imperial Pilsner

Pilsners are one of the latest styles to be “imperialized”: with characteristics, generally alcohol and hops, bumped up sufficiently to constitute a new style but with a familiar profile. These new imperial pilsners may sacrifice pilsner’s famed delicacy, but they retain the floral aromas and dry, bitter finish of their progenitor style.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

94 Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, Rogue Ales (OR). 8.8% ABV (3/09)
Deep golden amber color with a white blanketed head. Aromas of dried peach, baguette crust, and minerals follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with tart grapefruit and toasted meringue notes. Finishes with a long, chewy citrus and pine-accented hop fade. A big, delicious and balanced strong lager.

91 Pecker Wrecker Pilsner, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 7% ABV (12/11)
Rich amber color. Bright aromas of chocolate lemon peel, crème brûlée, and pepper bread with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a chewy, grilled root vegetable and earthy, peppery hop finish. A rich, hoppy, bock-like pilsner that hopheads will love.

83 Liv’s Lager Imperial Pilsner, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 8.5% ABV (5/11)
Tart citrusy and vegetal hop aromas and flavors with hints of peach vinaigrette on frisee, apricot butter, date nut bread and grass. More of a double IPA in character.

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