SA Noble Pils

**Budzu** · 12-31-2009, 01:27 PM

Has anyone enjoyed this pilsner yet? Its a seasonal by Sam Adams. It has an amazing hop flavor that the aroma didn't prepare me for at all. Nothing about it is overdone though, it just presents the noble hops so clearly and cleanly that its really surprising and lemony-spicey. Also it has a great malty background. This beer is one of those landmarks to me that I won't ever forget.

On the bottle it states that "all 5" noble hops are used in it. So I suppose they mean Tettnang, Hallertau, Spalt, and Saaz. So what is the 5th?

I think if I will clone this beer I will use pils with a tad of vienna and carapils, and then do some FWH and heavy heavy flavor additions. Maybe a WLP 833 bock yeast for some nice maltiness.

Any ideas on this one? Anyone else fall in love with this sexy beer?

Cheers!

PseudoChef · 12-31-2009, 01:30 PM

I have not tried it yet, but all the early reviews seem like it's a homerun. Good job, BBC - love it when people can step back from the RIS and IIPA regime and really appreciate a good Pils. I'll be on the lookout for a 6er.

electric_beer · 12-31-2009, 04:06 PM

Fuggles is the 5th.

**Budzu** · 12-31-2009, 06:22 PM

Hmm I'm not sure it would be the fuggles, but possibly. If they're saying only 5, I'm thinking its continental hops and not any english. Maybe Hersbrucker is considered seperate from Hallertau hops?

electric_beer · 12-31-2009, 06:34 PM

I stand corrected. Per Brew 365: Tettnanger, Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Spalter, and Saaz

I don't know if I've ever come across Mittelfrueh. "Imported from Germany, this is a mellow, spicy hop with a wonderful flavor and aroma. Its importance in German lagers is drastically underrated, as it’s herbal character cannot be matched by domestic varieties. It is a true noble hop variety." -- Sounds pretty tasty to me.

mosquitocontrol · 02-01-2010, 11:23 PM

Fiance just brought me home a 12 of this tonight. I'm definitely waiting to see what can be don about a clone. I've never had a pils before and now I realize that was a mistake.

Lenny2884 · 02-02-2010, 02:45 AM

Had this for the first time this weekend and thought it was excellent as well. In terms of a clone, the Sam Adams website has some good information for a starting point. It says they use a floor malted Bohemian pilsner malt with a starting plato of 12.1. For type and variety of malt is says Two Row Harrington, Metcalfe, and Czech pilsner malt. They use all 5 noble hops (Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Tettang Tettnanger, Spalt Spalter, Saaz & Hersbrucker) and of course lager yeast. Report back if you guys get something close to the original.

Ryno · 02-02-2010, 08:29 AM

Just tried it too.....very tasty! First time I've had a Pils with that much aroma. I'd like to make something similiar when I get my lager fermentation temp situation in order. This beer tasted like like they sneaked in some cascades for aroma. maybe its just me.

**Brew-boy** · 02-02-2010, 12:06 PM

SA rocks and makes very good beers and is home brew friendly. The nobles Pils is a winner in my book.

**greenbirds** · 02-02-2010, 12:34 PM

I bought a sixer of this and am really enjoying it. It is downright delicious, and the hop character is great.

Btw, the 4 noble hops are Hallertauer [Mittelfrüh], Spalt, Tettnanger, and Saaz. I'm fairly certain the 5th SA uses is Hersbrucker, which some consider a noble hop, while others stick to the original 4. Hersbrucker largely replaced Hallertauer in the 1970's/80's when Hallertauer acreage was decreasing due to disease.