Foothills Brewing Hop of the Month Mandarina Pilsner

It’s time again for Foothill Brewing Hop of the Month, Mandarina Pilsner, 54% ABV with 42 IBUs. Mandarina hops only available since 2002. The German Mandarina Bavaria is derived from the Cascade Hop, and is know for its distinctive tangerine, pineapple, and lemon notes. Mandarina Pilsner pours a crisp golden yellow color with a huge fluffy white four finger head that sticks to the top like glue. It looks like marshmallow fluff on top. The aroma is crisp and straw like with a little lemon aroma. Not much pineapple on the aroma. This Pilsner has a crisp taste of light lemon up front with a subtle yet faint tangerine in the middle with a little spiced bit of pineapple on the end with a hop twinge to it. The mouth feel is light with a crisp refreshing light fruity finish and an after taste that is much the same as it finishes. I thought this was particularly good Pilsner and well thought of idea for a good pilsner. Foothills Brewing Mandarine Pilsner is an A-. The spice at the very end held it back just the slightest bit, but it was good otherwise. This mighty Pilsner was crisp and refreshing and easy drinking.  I do thinking that Pilsners are overlooked when it comes to craft beer, and I also believe that Pilsners are harder to brew well compared to say a Porter or Stout because you can hide any imperfections in a Stout/Porter behind the big bold flavors, where as in a Pilsner everything is out in the open for your taste buds to find. Foothills has brewed a great Pilsner here. This new series is really starting to be as great as the last IPA of the Month. Foothills brewing is quickly becoming one of my favorite breweries out there. I can say enough about them and their beers. This one you should defiantly try for yourself. I recommend that you do! Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!