Winter of Pilsners Continues...Sly Fox Tettnang Keller Pils Review

Tettnang noble hops

by Jack Horzempa
originally posted on Beer Advocate

Today I have another installment for my series of Winter Pilsners: Sly Fox Tettnang Keller Pils.

For the uninitiated a Keller Pilsner is an unfiltered Pilsner. For those of you who do not speak German the word “Keller” literally translates to Cellar. In addition to being unfiltered these beers are unpasteurized as well. In my opinion, the less processing that a beer goes through the better.


Below is a description of this beer from the Sly Fox website:

“Tettnang Keller Pils

Unfiltered single hop Pilsner

11.7 OG 50 IBUs 5.2% ABV

This classic German-style Pils was brewed with 100% German grown barley and hopped exclusively with the prized noble hop variety* from the Tettnang region of southern Germany. This beer is served unfiltered accentuating the vibrant flavors and aromas of the hops and yeast.”

Let’s drink!!

Served in a new Christmas present – Firestone Walker Pivo Pils glass

Appearance:

Pours straw colored with a touch of haze and a HUGE rocky white head.

Aroma:

Wow! Lots going on here!! A complex combination of bready malt, a bit of a yeasty component, and spicy hop aroma accompanied with a tinge of lemon.

Taste:

The flavor has a BIG bready malt flavor along with spicy/herbal hop flavors. There is a firm bitterness.

Mouthfeel:

Medium bodied, smooth mouthfeel and a dry finish.

Overall:

This beer is AWESOME!! The combination of bready malt, spicy/herbal hop flavor and smooth mouthfeel = Excellent!!

I have one other new Pilsner in my existing inventory and I have another locally produced Pilsner ‘on my radar screen’ for purchase. Stay tuned!!

Hop farm in Tettnang, Germany

*Noble hops are traditional European hop varieties. They are generally characterized as having low alpha acids and subtle aromatic qualities. As such, noble hop varieties are most suitable in low IBU beers and traditional European styles, especially lagers.  Along with Tettnanger, Hallertau, Spalt, and Saaz are generally considered the main noble hops.

Jack Horzempa is a longtime friend of the store and an extremely knowledgeable home brewer, brewing some of the best beer I have ever tasted. Jack's palate is well seasoned and he has been a valuable source of beer expertise to the store. He has graciously allowed us to repost his review/posts from Beer Advocate where he has achieved Poo-bah status. Since joining Beer Advocate 12 yrs ago, Jack has posted more than 20,000 times and earned over 25,000 likes.