Jul 16, 2013

Left Hand Brewing Polestar Pilsner

Left Hand Polestar Pilsner has been around for several years now, but this is the first time that I had encountered it in any local shops. Loving a solid pilsner as I do, it was a no-brainer to pick up a couple of bottles — especially considering that the Virginia area is now in heat-wave season. There’s nothing like a crisp, flavorful pilsner to refresh after slogging out in the yard in high 90 degree weather. Polestar handles the job nicely.

Polestar Pilsner is a well balanced blend of malt (Weyermann Pilsner Malt and Pale 2-Row) and hop (Magnum, Mt Hood and Sterling). It’s thoroughly refreshing and at 5.5% ABV, it drinks quite smoothly. It’s not as sharp in terms of carbonation as I would normally like in the style, but I can certainly overlook that based on the brew’s flavor alone.

Appearance

Pale straw in color, the beer pours with a dense, frothy white crown of foam that showcased tremendous resiliency through to the last drop.

Aroma

Light fruit, grain, subtle sweetness, distant floral hops and biscuity malt combine for a clean nose.

Taste

The flavors of Polestar Pilsner follow the nose to a tee. Biscuity malt and grains are present throughout as hints of fruit and a grassy hops linger gently in the background. A low level of hop bitterness arrives in the back half as the softer than expected carbonation carries each component smoothly over the tongue. The brew finishes a little on the dry side.

Overall

I’m glad I picked up more than a single bottle which is typically the norm when I come across a product I haven’t had before. Left Hand Polestar Pilsner is a beer with excellent flavor and drinkability — perhaps a little too soft in terms of mouthfeel. I will happily restock the fridge with a few more six packs of this beer as the Summer progresses.

Rating: 3.75/5

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