Beer: Old Style Pilsner
Brewery: Molson Coors (Edmonton, Alberta)
Style: Pilsner
Alcohol: 5% ABV
Although my bias leans toward the directions of ales, as the temperatures rise, crisp and clean lagers can provide a nice change from the various ales on the market. It wasn’t until moving to the north that I ever spotted Molson’s Old Style Pilsner, and in the last two months since I set foot on soil north of 60, I’ll admit I’ve consumed my fair share of this beer. But what’s it really like?
Appearance
The 341mL bottle (or can, if you’d prefer) doesn’t look like a traditional Molson label, but when you look closely, you’ll spot the brewery name is small letters. The beer pours a bubbly yellow with a short-lived head. With a high level of carbonation, this lager is crystal clear and doesn’t leave a trace of lacing.
Aroma
Old Style Pils has a weak aroma, but I find that’s not uncommon for lagers. What aroma is there is mostly sweeter malts and a touch of grassy hops.
Taste
There’s a malty sweetness that seems a little out of character for a Pils, and the hop character is too light. The finish is sweet rather than bitter, and there’s a graininess that sticks with you. Is it a true-to-style Pils? I don’t think so, but it’s a quaffable beer on a hot day.
Overall
“Mediocre” describes this brew, but that’s not to say it’s a bad beer. It has its purpose as a summer beer that is good for sipping either direct from the bottle (I know, I know) or poured into a glass. There are far better Pils lagers in the Canadian beer market, and if you’re a Pils fan, I’d say you’re best going with one of them.
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