Boulevard’s Collaboration No. 1 is one unique brew.  Besides the fact that it is the brewery’s first ever collaboration, that it is an imperial pilsner (an odd, but awesome trend-bucking choice for a first collaboration), and that it is the first (as far as I know) collaborative brew between an American craft brewery and a Trappist (Orval) brewery, it also employs an age old method of brewing in which hops are added pre-boil in the mash.  I had to have some.

When I was touring the brewery, the amiable Steven Pauwels did try to send me home with a bottle, but unfortunately none were to be found un-boxed, and I had to leave Kansas City before Collaboration was released.  Fortunately, a good friend recently visited Springfield, MO–and old stomping ground of ours–and brought me back a bottle.

Every limited release beer I get I have a hard time drinking, especially when I only have one.  But with an imperial pilsner (contra an imperial stout or IPA) I was so geeked over this beer I waited only minutes to open this brew and share it with friends.  I was a bit nervous since it was smuggled back to Toledo via non-carry-on luggage…good chance for oxidization.

The Pour:
This strong European lager is golden to the hilt with a slight greenish tint.  It is quite clear in the initial pours, and bursting…I mean BURSTING…with effervescent carbonation.   The crisp two finger white head paired with the bubbly action in the glass would lead you to believe you are holding a glass of champagne in your hand.

The Nose:
It does not smell like champagne, thank God, because I like beer.  Up front, the aroma fills you in that this is not a typical Pilsner, and the Orval influence is apparent.  It has a very earthy and mineral smell, and there is a profound copper penny aroma.  You’d think Jean Marie Rock brought some well water with him to Boulevard!  The lemony and spicy Saaz hops are unmistakable.  For those who brew at home, it smells as if you just opened a package of raw Saaz leaf hops.  The maltiness is clearly pilsner, and smells like sweet honey.

The Taste:
The flavor is very delicate and well balanced.  Please note that I used the term “delicate” to describe a beer with 8% alcohol content.  No where in the drinking experience did I discover any astringent flavors.  I don’t have to make up a bunch of nonsense like, “this beer tasted like wild honeydew with a machiatto glaze and elderberries.”  This is a simple beer.  It tastes like a true Pilsner should and is a starling example of balance and a demonstration of brewing know-how. The beer tastes like it smells.  Up front there is a mineral/coppery flavor, immediately replaced by the lemongrass nature of the hops.  As the beer is nearing the throat the sweet hay flavor of Pilnser grain takes over.  As it washes down, the flavors perfectly compliment each other and leave you instantly craving another sip.  All the while the liquid was in your mouth, the intense carbonation never felt foamy, but rather dry and pleasant.  We all agreed…this beer was fantastic.

Overall Thoughts:
I’ll put my money where my mouth is.  In my opinion, this is the best American brewed (although, it’s not really American…more an American/Belgian hybrid) Pilsner I’ve encountered.

Nate’s Rating:

Overall Satisfaction: ★★★★¾ 

Among Other American Brewed Pilsners: ★★★★★