Blue Paddle Pilsener

A New World interpretation of the traditional Czech pilsners, Blue Paddle is a beautifully conceived and crafted beer, displaying superb balance between sweet, luscious malt and Noble hops. A beautiful, yellow-golden beer with a dense, rocky, pure-white head, this is truly a classic pilsner. Bright, spicy and floral Saaz hops notes float over the sweet, honeyed malt. Tim picked up a hint of sulfur in the nose, and Pete noted traces of sweet-corn, both of which are appropriate for the style. All of our judges commented on the flowery, spicy hop aromas, and all agreed that the beer would benefit from just a touch more. An assertively bitter yet eminently drinkable beer with soft, round malt flavor peeking out from behind the hops. Tom praised the clean, sweet malt and aggressively spicy hop flavors, while Rick found the hop flavors more herbal and reminiscent of thyme and rosemary. While hops definitely dominate the flavor, they do not beat the lightly biscuit, honey-sweet malt into submission. The flavors work in harmony to produce a truly memorable drinking experience. Yet another fine offering from Jeff Lebesch and the crew at New Belgium.