Unfiltered pilsner! What the hell is that you ask? Wasn’t the point of pilsners to produce a golden colored beer, far different from the dark brown and black beers of old? If you don’t filter, then you’ll have gisms in your beer and they’ll mess up the whole idea of lagering and cold fermenting: to produce a clean tasting, bright golden brew.

All this is true, dear readers, and if you are so offended by the idea of an unfiltered lager, fear not: clear pilsners abound, and you can find many good ones. Why not, though, try a Kellerbier (that is the style of the beer I’m here to talk about, Sierra Nevada Southern Gothic Unfiltered Pils). Kellerbier is German for cellar beer, and these beers are usually lagers (though not all are; Sierra Nevada has also made a Kellerweis). They just are cloudy lagers, which is a rare thing.

Sierra Nevada says:

Steeped in tradition, yet ready for anything—that pretty much sums up our Southern Gothic Unfiltered Pils. This hop-forward but light-bodied pilsner is crisp and drinkable, perfect for an afternoon on the porch or a night down at the pub. We left it unfiltered and raw to bring out its complexity and add a depth of flavor.

Ingredients from the website:

Yeast Lager yeast

Bittering Hops Magnum, Saphir

Finishing Hops Saphir, Sterling

Malts Pilsner, Vienna, Acidulated

Sierra Nevada Southern Gothic Unfiltered Pilsner has an alcohol content of 5.2% by volume with 38 IBUs. I paid $5.37 for a 23-ounce mug at Taco Mac and it runs $9.99 a six-pack in cans at Total Wine. I got a free glass with my beer to boot.

My mug of Sierra Nevada Southern Gothic Unfiltered Pils arrived a slightly hazy golden color with grassy hops in the nose. Taking a sip, I got clean biscuity malt with just a little more meat on its bones from the yeast in suspension. The beer isn’t fruity but it is a bit fuller thanks to the yeast. A sharp herbal grassy long lingering bitter finish rounds this one out.

I love it! Kellerbiers are rarely done here in the US, and this is a tasty one. Don’t miss it!

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler



Home