Last night good friend Uncle Crappy taught Craft Beer School at the Cabaret and joined myself and sickpuppy as alumni teachers for the event. I thought a nice change of pace would be to recap the beers when I attend these events and also give you an idea of what goes on.

Quick recap if you haven’t heard of Beer School before. It’s a 4 class schedule held in the fall and winter/spring at the Cabaret at Theater Square in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Sponsored by Vecenie Distributing Company, it’s $25 a ticket per class and you get 4 beers to sample plus a light fare. For the food, beer and education plus the company it really is a great deal. For more information

Last night we were treated to 4 pilsners that stretched the spectrum so instead of drawing them out over 4 weeks we’ll hit it all up in one shot. Shells Pils, Edelherb Pils, Heavy Seas Small Craft and Baltika 7

• Shells Pils – Smelled like Bud. tasted like Bud. I could barely stomach it. Thank God I was sharing this with Norm. Spoon rating: D
• Edelherb Pils – Very crisp and surprising. Mild bite from the hops. Finished a bit dry. Ideal summer session. Spoon rating: C+
• Heavy Seas Small Craft – This was an imperial pils that lived up to it’s name. To mock the Staples commercial “WOW! Thats a great beer!”. The alcohol was tasted slightly but quickly masked by the muscle punch of flavor of hops and slight sweetness. Incredible experience! Spoon rating: B+
• Baltika 7 – This was my shocker. I’ve had other Baltika’s and hated them but this was actually very pleasant. if you’re looking at a basic pils to get started into the style I would suggest this one. Very clean, crisp and not overwhelming flavor to get your hopes up on all beers in this style. Spoon rating: B-

Here are pics from WPXI’s “See & Be Seen – Covering the hottest people and events in and around Pittsburgh” from last night’s Beer School. I’m in one pic and sickpup is in 3. Good times

I wasn’t aware that this was available in PA until I stopped by 3 Sons today with Teaspoon. Oskar Blues is the only craft beer company that, in my opinion, have been able to master the can. Time to see if this lives up to the name.

Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils
brewery: Oskar Blues - oskarblues.com
style: pilsner
abv: 5.3%
serving size: 12oz
glass used: pilsner
price: $2.75

Overview
Our new canned good is a delicious, small-batch version of the beer that made Pilsen, Czechoslovakia famous. Mama’s is made with hearty amounts of pale malt, German specialty malts, and traditional (Saaz) and 21st century Bavarian hops. It’s the perfect antidote for the watered-down, cornfed versions of pilsner clogging America’s shelves. Our first canned lager, it’s also fermented at cool temperatures with a German yeast. While it’s rich with Czeched-out flavor, Mama’s gentle hopping (about 35 IBUs) and low ABV (just 5.3%) makes it a luxurious but low-dose beer. Look for our Gold Metal Winner on US shelves in March. Sadly, the Feds rejected our “Take Two and Call Us in the Morning” line on the can.

What I think

First thought that came to mind was Miller Lite’s more experienced brother. The aroma and initial taste was that of ML (which if I’m going macro, I drink) which is grassy/hay-like but the flavor is much more mature.  The pour was bubbly white head and the body was the color of gold we think of as kids and in cartoons. Crayola needs to work on this. If you’re staring out on pilsners this is the way to go. The taste was sharp, malty and like the aroma, slight hay, but in a good way. The finish is a tad bitter and hoppy.

I think I found my new summer session beer while watching some baseball or sitting on my back porch.

Spoon’s rating: B

My first review back after teaspoon’s arrival so I thought that since non-Irish people are wrapping up pretending to be a nationality that I would actually celebrate part of mine, the Polish side.

Okocim Beer
brewery: Browar Okocim S.A. - www.okocim.pl
style: Pilsner
abv: 5.5%
serving size: 500ml (16.9oz)
glass used: pilsner
price: $3.50

Overview
Purchased at 3 Sons Dogs n Suds. Since I can’t translate Polish that’s about all you’re getting.

What I think
I’m slowly converting over to a Pilsner fan and this reinforces it. The head poured robust but disappeared rather quickly. The aroma was a typical pils where those unfamiliar would think it was stale beer. The taste was smoother than Billy Dee Williams’ moves on some fine ladies. One thing that really impressed me was the potential for beer porn if I had a better camera. Pristine golden hue and ivory white head makes this a photographers ideal candidate.

Spoon’s rating: B+

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a fan of the Pilsner style. I’ve had some extremely bad beer in this style and it probably goes back to swill I drank as a lad. Wait, that was Golden Anniversary from my parents basement. If I’m going to review the style I might as well go for the best.

• Details Magazine – One of Ten Best Summer Beers (June/July 2006)
• Men’s Journal – Top Lager Worldwide (July 2005)
• Grand Champion Pilsner: United States Beer Tasting Championships 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Prima Pils
brewery: Victory Brewing – www.victory.com
beer website: Prima Pils
style: Pilsner
abv: 5.3%
serving size: 12oz
glass used: pilsner
price: $32/case, $3.00 bottle

Overview
Heaps of hops give this pale lager a bracing, herbal bite over layers of soft and smooth malt flavor. This refreshing combination of tastes makes Prima a classy quencher in the tradition of the great pilsners of Europe. Dry and delightful, this is an elegant beer.

What I think
If you’re new to craft beer you will see this and think “hey, that looks like my Bud/Coors/Miller”. Unlike those, this has character and doesn’t need to be served ice cold to hide its flavor. Pours a gorgeous golden body with a robust white head. If you’re trying a pilsner for the first time you may think it’s a tad stale tasting. After consulting the world renown beer filmmaker, foodie rockstar and home brewing expert Phil, this is from the character of the German and Czech whole flowers hops. Prima Pils has a medium body and a crips clean finish. New to Pilsners? Start here.

If you’re looking to start out shooting beer porn, this is a must for your list. Very photogenic.

Spoon’s rating: A-

I was lucky enough to partake in some fine beverage this weekend as we celebrated Emerson’s bachelor party. For fans of a typical Pilsner, don’t even think about this purchase. Coming in at 110 IBUs this bad boy will punch you in the face with hops. Honestly my mouth puckered after 3 and I had to switch beverages.

Being a fan of hops, this was heaven. It had the strong hop flavor but it still wasn’t overpowering so you couldn’t drink it. Other guys were drinking Miller Lite and talking about women while I’m holding my glass up to inspect color of the beer, sticking my nose in to get that hoppy good aroma and taking my time savoring the work put into this. Thankfully I know when to turn off the beer snob and get into the conversation. In this town just say “How about dem <insert pens or steelers>!” and you’re golden.

Griff told me it ran about $62 for a case so I may need to stock the beer cellar. Though at 24 bottles that may be sitting for awhile. I’ll have to stop at 3 sons instead and get a 4pk.

cheers!