It’s a given: beer and music go together famously. Back in
the eighties, I used to love to listen to music late into the night, all the
while enjoying a few (OK, sometimes more than a few) of my favorite brews.
As much fan as I had in those days, I could never imagine the music and beer
pairings that exist today.
Lagunitas, for example, has named a number of beers after
Frank Zappa albums, including
Freak Out Ale,
Cruising with Ruben and the Jets, and
We’re Only in it for the Money. Just to name a few. More recently,
Diamond Knot Brewing launched
Whip Ale, a beer dedicated to Michael Whip Wilton of Queensryche.
That brings us to the beer under consideration today,
Sierra Nevada Foam Pilsner. Foam Pilsner is a draft only brew
specially brewed for the rock band Phish. Sierra Nevada has brewed this
beer in the past exclusively for the band’s Phish festivals, but for 2012
Foam Pilsner is receiving a broader release, albeit still draft only.
Given the rarity of the beer, I was elated to see it on the
“just in” section of the tap menu at the Windward Parkway location of Taco
Mac. Better yet, the beer was an extremely reasonable $5 for a pint (or 20
ounces in my case). I ordered one up posthaste and it arrived at my table
in no time.
Sierra Nevada Foam Pilsner
pours to a deep golden color with a thick head of rocky foam, but could we
expect any less from a beer called Foam? A wonderful aroma of fresh
biscuit malt and grassy hops wafted from the glass to my nose.
Taking a sip, I found a truly luscious German style pils in
Foam. Indeed, the beer bursts with crisp biscuity malt underneath, then
some minty grassy hop aroma, and finally an aggressive long dry finish
with a sharp lingering bitterness. Think Jever or Prima Pils if you will.
The freshness of this beer really came through wonderfully,
and I found it truly delightful. It’s an interesting departure from the
usual Sierra Nevada Pacific hop profile as well. The bitter hop finish
stood up nicely to a plate of Taco Mac Three Mile Island wings.
Someday, perhaps Sierra
Nevada will bottle this one. Until then, I’d suggest you keep on Phishing
until you find it.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For
reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft