North Coast Brewing Company's Scrimshaw Pilsner

We just had a cold snap here in Houston, so you'd think tonight would call for at least a porter, and maybe a stout or barley wine. But, dinner is a huge bowl of a pretty spicy lentil soup, and nothing goes better with spicy food than a pilsner.

This one pours a super clear yellow, with a white head that thins but stays due to good carbonation. That's fairly unusual for a pils, even a malty German one.

Smells crisp and has the right pils funk, but it's pretty light. More sophisticated? We'll see. Definitely smells maltier. Not quite sweet, but just more substantial.

It's a more subtle, more malty German pils, instead of a more funky in your face Czech type. Moderate bitterness with a heavier body than a Czech, so it doesn't fizz away in the feel as fast and isn't as sharp in the smell or taste.

Good beer. I prefer Chezchs, but this is right on type for a German. My only complaint is that it's a little too sweet, but again that's from the maltier German style. Many people say a German pils is a lot hoppier, but this one shows that you can do it right without over-hopping it (I'm looking at you, Prima Pils, you ridiculous excuse for a beer).