Troubled Monk Brewery USS Bright Idea Black Pilsner Pilsener at 5% ABV (C$3.00 at Oak & Vine, 355 ml, packaged on 29-May-2018, acquired 19-Jul-2018, reviewed 22-Jul-2018)
Appearance: clear cola brown with one finger of loose light beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: roasty malt, coffee, nuts, light smoke. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter lightly ashy finish. (4/5)
Yay! Music beer! (Released coincident with the single “Medicine” by USS.) I approve in theory, even if neither the music nor the beer are particularly my cup of tea. I don’t know if there’s actually smoke there, or I’m just interpreting the dark malt roast that way, but it almost ends up smelling and tasting like a watery Schwarzbier. It’s all right, I guess, but it’s missing something – maybe a more emphatic hop presence to temper the ashiness? (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
