It just so happens that this past Saturday, right as I was opening up a bottle of Sam Adams’ Noble Pils for Sip With Us Saturday, my wife Sandra called from the living room, “Do you want to watch the movie Beer Wars?“ If anyone has seen the movie, they know that Sam Adams brewery and founder Jim Koch get plenty of face time. I typically do not drink much Sam Adams, so it was a nice intersection of coincidence. The film and the Noble Pils made me appreciate the Boston Brewing Company just a little bit more.
Sam Adams came up in a recent discussion in which we wondered if they listened to their customers, since overwhelming disdain for a particular beer has been expressed. It seems that Sam Adams’ still has their ear to the ground since Noble Pils was voted into distribution by the public, and from the quality of the beer, I would be willing to be that Sam Adams has decided to step up their game as more (1400+) craft breweries are now a part of the once exclusive craft beer industry.
The Pour:
Sam Adams pours like a Pilsner should. The golden straw color beverage is crystal clear and teeming effervescent carbonation that bolsters a thick two finger head the rapidly dissolves leaving behind thin lacing.
The Nose:
Unlike a Macro Pilsner, the Noble Pils offers a rich aroma. The beer is grassy on the nose, with strong lemony hop aromas. There is spicy pepper aroma, and flowery breadiness going on. The beer is overall a very earth beer. The aroma reminded me quite a bit of a saison minus any distinct Belgian qualities.
The Taste:
For a Pilsner, the Noble Pils packs a delicious hop punch. The noble hops used inpart a delicate spicy and very citrus bitterness not typical to the style, but at the same time don’t overwhelm the palate and flavors of the yeast. The beer is extremely bready. If you’ve ever smelled a lager yeast culture, that is how this beer tastes. The malty backbone is in the foreground, but the sweet balance is close to on target. I think it could have used just a bit more. The crisp dry finish leaves the lemony grassy bitterness clinging to the back of the tongue.
Overall thought:
Well done Sam Adams! This beer boasts of quality and brewing passion. I was surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did.
Nate’s Rating:
Overall Satisfaction: 
Among Other Pilsners:
Among Other American Pilsners:
<!–adsensestart–>
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nate | THFB and Sam Adams, Lukas Liquors. Lukas Liquors said: RT @SamAdamsBrewery: Ode to the Brewer: Review of Sam Adams' Noble Pils | Thank Heaven for Beer: A review of Sam Adams recent new sprin… http://bit.ly/bG7t64 [...]
This sounds pretty good Nate, and better yet I bet I can find it on tap somewhere close by. I always like tap beers better than bottle if I can find them. I won’t be afraid of this one now. How are the Blueberry stouts treating you?
[Reply]
beer_scientist Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
I agree about the tap vs. bottle thing…unless it’s a bottle conditioned beer. http://thankheavenforbeer.com/2008/09/29/bottle-vs-tap/
[Reply]
Cool! I just bought a sixpack at the grocery store today. I had it a couple months back as part of their sample tastings and survey. Which do you like better sample A or sample B. It was quite tasty last time I had it.
Looking forward to trying this again.
[Reply]
I saw a stack of it tonight at my place but I was waiting to hear about it before picking any up. It sounds like an enjoyable beer so perhaps I will. Is it going to be made all year or is is a seasonal?
[Reply]
It’s a Spring release like the White Ale.
[Reply]
@ Don…the blueberry is gone! I bought a bunch of it since whenever folks come over they drink all my beer…they downed this stuff!
@Simplybeer…I didn’t get to taste any samples. There just arent any beer stores of that caliber around here.
@Scott & Beer Scientist…I heard it was replacing the White Ale.
[Reply]
I’m coming to your house for beer Nate!
[Reply]