Pearly Pils

[FedoraDave]

I've had this bottled since late September. For the first two weeks, I kept the bottles at fermentation temp (around 54*F). Then I upped the temp to around 70 for about two weeks. They've been at 34* for around ten days. I know they're still green, but I keep taking out test bottles to gauge the progress. I'm hoping this helps me with timing my lagers in the future.

I had one just now. Good color, a deep golden yellow. Pretty good clarity, too, especially initially. Condensation may have made it look cloudier than it really was after the first minute or two. A rich snow-white head with pretty good retention, although not much lacing. A slightly fruity aroma, blended with a slightly grainy/bready smell.

So far so good.

It's a little sweet, at first, possibly due to the hops, possibly due to being a bit young, possibly a combination of both. I'd have preferred a drier initial impact, and may rethink the hops in the future. Not as crisp and bracing as I'd want a German Pils to be, but again, it's young.

It has a good malt presence, and it balances well with the hops. Not overcarbed, either. The balance, I think, is pretty good. The initial sweetness doesn't linger, and the finish is strong, with a blend of floral and spice, which is what I was aiming for.

Conclusion: My process is good. My timing for this review may be premature, and I'll be interested in tasting it in another couple of weeks to see what has changed. I may fiddle around with the hops bill a little to get less floral/fruity (Hallertau) and more spicy (Tettnang).

But it's a good base recipe.

[BlackDuck]

I'm glad you decided to open one up and see what it's like. I think you'll find that it will improve over the next couple of weeks. My first on did, and I'm expecting my Sapphire to do the same. Tettnang will definately add some of the spice your looking for. It was in my first and I left it out of my current. The first one was absolutely more spicy than the Sapphire.

Nice job Dave...I'm glad your pleased so far.

[Inkleg]

Sounds like a beer I'd be PROUD to call my own. Can't wait to hear another review in a few weeks.

[Kealia]

Wait....you made BEER?!?!