Firestone Walker Pivo Hoppy Pils (355ml)

An American interpretation of a Pilsner, influenced by Germany, the Czech Republic, and Italy, yet with a prominent hop flavor. Aromas of grassy greens, florals, and lemongrass.

This hoppy Pilsner was first released in 2013.

Pivo, the Czech word for beer, played a significant role in restoring the status of Pilsner beer in the United States.

The creator of Pivo is Brewmaster Matt Brynildson.

His goal is to dispel the notion that "Pilsner equals mass-produced beer."

"American Pilsners have been hijacked by mass-produced industrial beers, leading people to have a mistaken image of them," he states.

"Now is the time to reclaim the status of American Pilsners and usher in a new era."

Pilsner, which originated in Plzeň, Czech Republic, in the mid-1800s, spread throughout Europe and caused a sensation.

In America, sophisticated Pilsners were also brewed by European immigrants, but by the 1900s, mass-produced lagers became widely available, leading to the perception that "Pilsner means industrial, mass-produced beer."

Even in the 2000s, when what is known as craft beer gained popularity and many delicious IPAs were brewed, genuine "craft Pilsners" with authentic flavors were rarely available (New Belgium Blue Paddle, Lagunitas Pils, Coronado Golden, and Victory Prima Pils were a few examples of authentic craft Pilsners available at the time).

Pivo was born to put an end to such treatment of Pilsners.

Pivo, which initially drew inspiration from dry-hopped Italian Pilsners (Matt drank Tipopils from a brewery called Birrificio Italiano in Italy, and it was this beer that gave him the idea to brew a dry-hopped Pilsner), is a Pilsner influenced by Germany, the Czech Republic, and Italy, but with a West Coast twist.

While 100% German hops, malt, and yeast are used, it possesses the bitterness and rich flavor of a Czech Bohemian Pilsner.

If that were all, it could be said to be a beer brewed faithfully to style, but with the added dry-hopping of Saphir hops, this should be called a West Coast-style hoppy Pilsner.

When poured into a glass, it has a clear straw color with a pure white head.

The clean malt biscuits are accompanied by a powerful aroma of grassy, floral hops.

The taste is clean malt sweetness with a floral, spicy, and firm bitterness.

Notes of bergamot and lemongrass from the dry-hopping add complexity to the flavor.

The finish is very dry with lingering bitterness.

Refreshing and light-bodied, with hop aroma and flavor at the forefront.

This beer, which garnered unexpected popularity immediately after its release, showed a 45% sales increase even two years after its launch in 2015.

Matt believes that this figure not only represents an increase in Pivo's sales but also suggests that craft beer fans are beginning to discover the appeal of Pilsners.

"People who first get into craft beer often seek out intense flavors and go for triple IPAs," he says.

"But as they gain experience, they start looking for balanced, easy-drinking, and sessionable beers. Authentic Pilsner beer fits all of those criteria."

It may not be long until Pilsners with authentic flavors are brewed by many craft breweries and enjoyed as a matter of course.

Awarded gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

• ABV: 5.3%
• IBU: 40
• Category: Beer
• Ingredients: Malt, Hops
• Hops: -
• Brewery: Firestone Walker
• Style: Pilsner
• Volume: 355ml
• Container: CAN