Pilz - Live Oak Review
Around since 1997, Live Oak out of Austin, TX, has grown into a Texas craft brew icon known less for its experimental and wild beers and more for its old world passion translated to a modern setting. And at the heart of their lineup is “Austin’s Original Pilsner”---Pilz. Described by Live Oak as a Bohemian-style Pilsner made through the process of decoction mashing and with spicy Saaz hops to balance it out, Pilz finishes at 4.7% ABV and 36 IBU.
There are a lot of interesting things about this beer, the first being the malt selection. Live Oak uses Movarian heirloom malt, from the region of Movaria, Czech Republic. This is an old, lesser-used malt from an old, lesser known (at least in America) place recognized for its fantastic malt. This unique (but perfect for a Pilsner) malt is then decoction mashed, which is when part of the malt is taken away, boiled, and then added back into the original mash. This process was created by the Germans (of course) around the 18-19th centuries to extract more sugar for maltier, fuller, and more drinkable beers.
Let alone its long history, Pilz has a lot going for it, and in the Brew household we love retellings of traditional beers much more than chocolate-coffee-oat-stouts-with-strawberry-lactose- whipped-topping beers. But when the history and standard are so deep, it also means we are much more critical of these beers. Let’s get after it.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Dandelion-yellow, clear, and topped with a pure-white head.
On the Nose--Really crisp and light (like it looks), with the right amount of spicy and floral hop flavor to look forward to.
On the Palate--A lot of malt depth for a pilsner, an attribute we can thank decoction mashing of the heirloom malt for. Pilz has that distinct pilsner malt flavor but with quite a full mouthfeel (likely from the decoction as well). The Saaz hops offer that spicy and floral flavor they are known for and the bitterness is quite prominent, but it is also clean and lingers a touch through the dry finish. It’s really quite spicy but the sweetness of the malt and a little apple flavor make it pleasant and quaffable.
Food Pairings: There are few varieties of beer that are so food friendly, but pilsner is one of them. Try it with anything and everything, especially at a summer barbeque.
Final Thoughts:
It’s easy to get cynical when looking at a can and seeing declarations like: “The Most Brutal IPA Ever!” or “”Creamiest Stout” or “You’ll never buy another type of beer again after drinking this concoction first brewed by Zeus and passed down to man.” But I really believe Live Oak is “Austin’s Original Pilsner,” and I would even venture to say (though I haven’t tried them all) one of its best.
Pilz starts with simplicity: Traditional Malt and hops = Pilsner. But going a few steps further: Movarian heirloom malt, decoction mashed, spicy Saaz hops, Live Oak gives us something special.
Pilz is a great pilsner beer, and a great beer in general. It has a moderate ABV and a great balancing bitterness. Pilz also has layers of malt from sweet to deeply caramelized that give it a full and pleasant mouthfeel but also make it sessionable. This is very hard to do, but that’s why this beer is a Texas icon. Give it a try if you haven’t or head to Austin to see where its old world roots have grown into a shady tree.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew