Today I’m getting near the end of my Helles journey for 2025. Part of that involves a great beer out of California, North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner. Hey wait – did you say Pilsner? I thought we were in for another malty Helles!
Well, in the Pilsner to Helles overlapping grey zone, there are a few examples. Although Scrimshaw is released as a Pilsner, each and every time I drink it, Helles comes to mind. Granted it has just a slight more zing or effervescence than I’m used to in a typical Helles, it’s still in the family I think, so I’m saying Helles. Just calling balls and strikes folks!
Scrimshaw comes to us with the traditional Water, Malted Barley, Hops and Yeast – a great lineup for duplicating a Euro Helles. I think the low IBU of 22 has me thinking more of a 16-22 IBU range Helles - most Bavarian style Pilsners I’ve been drinking lately are easily in the 22-40 range. Helles it is! Prost!
Well, in the Pilsner to Helles overlapping grey zone, there are a few examples. Although Scrimshaw is released as a Pilsner, each and every time I drink it, Helles comes to mind. Granted it has just a slight more zing or effervescence than I’m used to in a typical Helles, it’s still in the family I think, so I’m saying Helles. Just calling balls and strikes folks!
Scrimshaw comes to us with the traditional Water, Malted Barley, Hops and Yeast – a great lineup for duplicating a Euro Helles. I think the low IBU of 22 has me thinking more of a 16-22 IBU range Helles - most Bavarian style Pilsners I’ve been drinking lately are easily in the 22-40 range. Helles it is! Prost!
