Lagunitas Czech Style Pilsner

The problem with trying lagers is the better ones are pretty similar and the cheap ones are also very similar. I'm not quite sure how to really describe a great one besides the combination of getting the weight and carbonation balanced. The cheap ones are like club soda with a dash of sugary hop flavor but the better ones I've found manage to tune down the carbonation, pump up the flavor, and retain the consistency that makes these types of beers enjoyable for most occasions, especially outdoors in the summer. There are some great light beers out there that are cheap, but are truly enjoyable for barbecue type meals and sports game watching. Lagunitas does it right with this one, the perfect easy sipper for most meals and most days for the beer fan who isn't looking to be weighed down by a heavy brew.

Pinkus Organic Pilsner

I saw the words "organic" and "pilsner" together and I knew it was something I had to try. All the organic brews I've tried have been refreshing and good. When I mean refreshing, I don't mean cheap lager to wash down pizza with, I'm talking about the that unsweetened ice tea in the middle of summer feeling. For a beer with a name like this, it looked a bit cloudy and tasted more tart than I'd expect of a pilsner. There must have been some of that lemon and orange zest in this, which made me not like it as much as I could have. I was really looking for a more clean lightly carbonated beer with a bit of sweetness without the zest.

Sidenote: The label reminds me of Coney Island for some reason, the red, blue, and the lettering.