Beer of the Weekend #627: Keeper American Pilsner

The beer tonight is Keeper American Pilsner, brewed by Mikkeller, which is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.


Serving type: 12-ounce can. No freshness date.

Appearance: Served in a pilnser glass. The color is slightly hazy gold. There is quite a bit of carbonation because it started to fizz-over when I opened the can, and there is a lot of bubble action. The bubbles, though, reveal small bits of floating sedimentation. Two fingers of dense, billowy, eggshell-colored head dissipates very slowly. Very slowly. After a certain point, it becomes a permanent, foamy cap.

Smell: Out of the can, during the pour, it smelled more like an American pale ale than any pilsner I’ve ever had. Not that I’m going to hold it against it or anything. The aroma is hoppy, citrusy, and gritty. It kind of reminds me of Tang. The hops dominate, though no aroma really stands out. However, scents of orange, lemon, grapefruit, and a little cherry licorice are present.

Taste: Boldy hopped for a pilsner. The hops dominate but the bitterness is not overpowering. The flavor is not as Tang-like as the aroma. The bitterness is pretty gritty and coats the taste buds. Flavors of orange, lemon, a little grapefruit, and pineapple are noticeable. There is also a little bit of light fruit.

Drinkability: This is pilsner on steroids. It’s good, tasty stuff.

Fun facts about KAP:

-Style: Supposedly “American Pilsner,” but it is classified on BA as a “German Pilsener.”

-Price: $2.99/can at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.

-Alcohol content: 5 percent ABV.


The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.

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