Oskar Blue Brewery - Mama's Little Yella Pils

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. can, poured into a fluted glass


This Pilsner-style brew from Colorado-based Oskar Blues pours a glowing-golden medium straw body, clear with a chilled-haze. The head is a large, soft, airy foam in off-white. The nose is feint overall with a slight sour graininess and mild apple juice notes. The aroma is semi-sweet with a dusting of hops.

A mild carbonation produces a muted crispness on the tongue. Apple juice comes through with a hint of under-ripened pear. The beer is very lagery with an emphasis on light malt body. A very light hopping provides a hint of drynesson top of a vague honey sweetness. No Noble hop influence in this lager steers it away from its Pilsner designation. A finish is semi-tight with carbonation, a sweet malt profile and understated hops.


Final Verdict: B-

Sierra Nevada - Summerfest Lager

Sierra Nevada - Summerfest Lager

Purchased From: Plumsted Buy Rite Liquors

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a Pilsner glass

Talk about out of season. It’s December and I’m reviewing a Summer seasonal. Well, I found one of these hiding out in the back of the refrigerator at my parent’s house and couldn’t let it go bad. Summerfest is a Czech-style Pilsner, which promises crisp and refreshing drinking for those warm summer days. I had to imagine the weather, but the beer held up regardless.

It pours a mostly-clear golden hue with a very fine suspension. The creamy yellowed-foam head is impressive and boasts excellent retention. On the way down the foam produces delicate lacing around the walls of the glass. Citrusy hops are clear up front on the nose. There’s a lager-like sweet malty must, but the style-signature Noble hops are more subdued.

This is a very interesting take on a Pilsner. Sierra Nevada clearly added some well-placed American influence. Citrusy and fruity Perle hops are up front, but meld nicely into the more traditional Saaz Noble hops renowned for Pilsner flavor. The Saaz hops provide an excellent bitter profile to match the distinct mid-palate malts. 

Just near the end the hops seem to go a bit piney. Its very interesting the range of flavors that are present in the beer from only two hop varietals. They’re bold, but not overpowering, striking an excellent balance. The finish is clean and very refreshing. This is an excellent Summer drinking beer.

Final Verdict: B+