Saaz Republic Pilz

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 6:18 pm

I saw this in Beer Store recently and went for it. Glad I did. To my surprise, as I never rated Big Rock very highly, this beer has the true Czech taste. It has a clean rich Saaz character, very similar to how it tastes in Urquell, only the body is lighter, not as sweet. Still excellent though, and locally on draft it must be a stunner.

Well done Big Rock, and good to see them still going after all these years.

Gary

icemachine · Post by **icemachine** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 7:05 pm

Tried this on the weekend, although the hop profile is well done as Gary notes, I found it had too much residual sweetness as if they had used a fair portion of CaraBelge or the like in the malt bill.

markaberrant · Post by **markaberrant** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 8:17 pm

I tried this about 6 months ago, and all I recall is the typical Big Rock house yeast character, which I cant stand. It was otherwise forgettable for me.

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 8:43 pm

By coincidence I just got back from New York where I had a pint of very fresh cold-shipped Pilsner Urquell, which may be unpasteurized (it tastes it to me). I found the Big Rock Saaz Pilz very similar, just a little lighter in body.

Odd how people can vary in assessments, I couldn't detect the "typical" Big Rock taste in it. I'll have to get a another can for further assessment.

Gary

markaberrant · Post by **markaberrant** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:37 pm

I did sample a Firestone Walker Pivo Pils yesterday. Wow, hands down the best craft brewed pilsner I have ever tasted, and maybe the best period. Many hoppy craft pils have a bit of "raw" hop taste with an inordinate amount of fruitiness, but not this one. Refined and complex all the way, with a mellow bitterness of a Bohemian Pils that keeps you coming back for more.

G.M. Gillman · Post by **G.M. Gillman** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:47 pm

It was very good Mark but Urquell is better in my judgment. The Saphir taste is a little unusual IMO, it simply doesn't taste as good as Urqell although the other has 160 years (at least) on it.

Gary

markaberrant · Post by **markaberrant** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:59 pm

I do enjoy fresh Urquell, but the Pivo Pils really blew me away, way better than the highly touted Victory Prima Pils.

The Mick · Post by **The Mick** » Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:34 am

Had this shortly before Christmas time and thought that it was really tasty. It was on tap at the Loon. Agree with what Gary said in the OP. Just a really nice beer.