Jul 3, 2014

Mikkeller Keeper

I’ve had a relatively benign relationship with the gypsy brewer Mikkeller through the years. Their product tends to vary drastically with me — either hit or miss, nothing really in between. That history is now muddied with Keeper, a 5% ABV Pilsner brewed and canned by Sly Fox Brewing Company.

This pilsner definitely leans more toward the “Americanized” interpretation of the style with loads of assertive hop character. Keeper certainly had potential to be a solid offering, but this strong willed brew just packs too much hop flavor for this type of beer. It some across more like a slightly maltier Pale Ale when all is said and done.

Mikkeller Keeper photo

Appearance

The brew pours a golden amber in color with a strong cap of white foam.

Aroma

Bread, crackers, grain, light citrus, grapefruit and a peppery hop character combine for an enticing aroma.

Taste

A solid malt presence leads the way with bread, dough and grain. It’s balanced momentarily as the hop flavors arrive, but is quickly overtaken by a brisk bitterness, grapefruit and pine. It’s an assertive hop character that grabs for your attention throughout the brew.

Overall

Mikkeller Keeper is a refreshing, hoppy beer, but not sure that I would call this a pilsner. Yes, it’s a lager and has a solid bready and malty character, but that hop profile is what I would call an “attention whore.” It’s just too domineering for my linking in this particular style of beer. Now, in a pale ale or IPA it would be right at home.

Rating: 3.5/5

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