Have I mentioned that the Three Taverns Brewery of Decatur is one of Georgia’s up and coming new brewers? I think they are. I’ve been extremely impressed with just about every beer I’ve tried from them, both on tap at Taco Mac and in the bottle. I could tell you some stories about the growler of their impressive Quasimodo quadruple I enjoyed. But that night seems to be a bit of a fog.

Anyway, the other day I walked into Bullock’s Wine and Spirits in Woodstock, Georgia and saw my first ever six-pack of Three Taverns beer (most of the ones I’ve seen have been 4-packs and 750s). This distinction goes to Three Taverns Prince of Pilsen, a “Euro-Style Pilsner” as they call it on the label. Which is a good thing, because 4-packs and pilsner just seem completely incongruous to me.

This is the second pilsner I have tried from Three Taverns, the first being Pils Mundial, a limited run brew they did for the World Cup season. I’ll tell you already that I much prefer the Prince of Pilsen to that brew. From the label:

Prince of Pilsen tributes the beer sensation first brewed in the bohemian City of Pilsen in 1842, now makes up 90% of beer consumed around the world. This Euro-style pilsner is uniquely dry hopped for a crisp citrus aroma and bite.

Three Taverns Prince of Pilsen has an alcohol content of 5% by volume and 35 IBUs. I paid $8.99 for a six-pack, which is about average these days. Falconer’s Flight 7C hops are used for aroma according to the brewery, and the beer is actually dry-hopped on them.

Three Taverns Prince of Pilsen pours to a pale golden color with a thick foamy head of tightly packed bubbles and a very inviting nose of light fresh crisp biscuit malt and aromas of citrus and herbs. A fine layer of Brussels lace forms on the sides of my glass as the liquid descends. Taking a sip, the crisp biscuit malt the nose promised comes through perfectly and forms the base for a gentle grassy hop aroma and long drying bitterness. There’s a bit more of the lemony citrus, too as the beer warms, and that makes this one a bit unique.

The grassy Czech-German hoppiness is definitely here though and works very well with the hints of lemon. All in all, this is an excellent American pilsner, easy drinking but very flavorful brew. As it warms there is just a hint of diacetyl like I want in the style, and I am appreciating the firm body and clean maltiness of the beer as well. The zesty lemon from the hops makes this one a bit different and not really what I would think of as a “Euro Lager”, but that said this is a very tasty beer at a fair price. I’ll be back for more, and after a few sips, I was quite ready to believe I was the Prince of Pilsen myself….

Update 7/21/2016: Saw Three taverns Prince of Pilsnen on the draft list at Taco Mac tonight and thought, "Oh yeah, I gotta have that!". So I did. Wonderfully malty, a little creamy, biscuity and finishes with dry lemony hops. A treat fit for a Prince, and all that for a measly six bucks!

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



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