While packing for the shore, I received a text from G-LO (he had just come back from his biennial pilgrimage to Canadia, aka Maine, and brought back some new beers for me to try) informing me that my "Maine Brewers To-Go Bag" (this isn't really a thing, but it most definitely should be!) was ready for pick-up. Contrary to popular opinion, and despite that outer layer of gruff, he really is a generous guy. Anyway, I had my "To-Go Bag" and I had need for liquid refreshment, so one evening, I reached into the bag and pulled out a Back Cove Pilsner from Rising Tide Brewing Company.
I don't recall having a beer from Rising Tide, but we have a few crafty beer travelers in the neighborhood so I might be forgetting one ( their Zephyr definitely sounds familiar). The Back Cove Pilsner is a tribute to the Maine forefathers who had enough forethought to set aside the park that encircles the Back Cove tidal basin and provides the Portland area with its most iconic view.
Before we get to my review, here's what Rising Tide has to say about their Back Cove Pilsner ...
Back Cove is a North German-style pilsner fermented with kellerbier yeast. Harmoniously balanced, with hints of orchard fruit, clean malt and earthy bitterness.And here are our impressions...
- ABV: 5.1%
- Appearance: Clear, golden yellow color with a slowly dissipating, fluffy head of white foam. Very effervescent as the bubbles rose from the bottom of the glass. Benita commented on the bubbles dancing.
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Aroma
- Limpd: Malty, doughy with a little citrus zest and some sweetness.
- G-LO: Lemony. Lightly yeasty. Some sweet biscuity malts. A touch of piney hops.
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Taste
- Limpd: Crisp, not overly sweet or malty with a little bitterness. It was very refreshing and very well-balanced.
- G-LO: Lightly carbonated with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Mildly bitter start with some lemon zest coming through. Slightly peppery in the middle followed by some mild, piney hop bitterness. The finish is very crisp and clean with some sweet malts making an appearance.
The Verdict
Limpd: I wasn't expecting all that much from a pilsner (not my favorite style), however, after a long day inside working at the shore and a longer night traipsing around a 27 hole miniature golf course (I was 12 over par), this beer was a welcome relief. Well-crafted with great balance, this could certainly be a session-worthy beer. If only G-LO had provided me with a twelve pack!
G-LO: I'm 100% with Limpd here. This is a super drinkable and very refreshing pilsner (which is as it should be!). I really enjoyed this on its own, and it also went very well with the crisp and freshly fried chicken cutlets that I had for dinner. Given how well it went with those fried bits of goodness, I'm guessing that this would go fantastic with some tempura or maybe even with some sushi.
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Many thanks to G-LO for bringing this tasty brew back from Canadia!