Schlitz has recently had a rather successful comeback by reintroducing its original recipe and playing up its retro-chic factor. Light, simple and All-American, it represents the classic beer of a simpler time.
Boulevard clearly intended to go this direction with its new American lager called Boulevard Pilsner. It's the cheapest beer the company makes ($5.99 for a six-pack) and the logo is right out of the '50s. The actual Boulevard logo is nowhere to be found. Even the Smokestack series had the logo on the back of the bottle, but not Boulevard pilsner.
It's almost as if Boulevard is trying to distance itself from the pilsner, in case people revolt against the idea of Kansas City's precious micro-brewery trying a beer style in the territory of Anheuser-Busch and Miller (in that case, Boulevard can say it was all an experiment). On the other hand, maybe it's to keep Anheuser-Busch and Miller from feeling too threatened.
And Anheuser and Miller have reason to feel threatened.
Boulevard Pilsner may be sold right next to MGD and Coors Extra-Gold,
and they may all be in the same style according to beer authority BJCP
(that would be category 1C: premium American lager) but when it comes to the flavor -- yes flavor! -- the Boulevard is in a class of its own.
The
first pour didn't make us optimistic. The aroma is similar to every lager, which is to say not very strong, with a
slight corny smell. But upon tasting it, things started too look up
considerably.
The first noticeable flavor is the hops. Boulevard
advertises it as having a "real hop character" and it delivers. An initial light bitterness gives way to the smoothness of the
malt. (This beer uses no rice.) What really sets it apart is
what happens next: Instead of turning into flavorless
alcoholic carbonated water the way so many lagers do after a few
moments in the mouth, the hop flavor reappears and stays on the tongue
so that when you finally swallow, it goes down crisp.
In this
way it straddles the line between a full lager and a thin
pale ale, which makes it the perfect gateway beer. If you have a friend
who only drinks Budweiser and you're trying to transition into more
serious beers, this is the beer to buy. Hell, buy one for
granddad too. Yes, he may still love Schlitz but it's not too late for
him to embrace a real classic.
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I have been a Boulevard Wheat fan since it beginning. Recently I was introduced to Pilsner and it has become my favorite. I cannot find the alcohol content anywhere and noticed that I get more bang for my buck if you know what I mean. If you are trying to find this gem you will have to ask for it specifically or look close to the other pilsners. It will not be by the other Boulevard Brews by Boulevard's request. I guess they are trying to compete with the other pilsners and have it strategically placed in those areas. Thanks Boulevard for another personal favorite.
a good beer...I would like to see it on tap right along side wheat all across KC eateries. But the economy must have taken its toll on the design budget. Generic branding, as if the word Boulevard wouldn't fit and needed rotated a bit. Where did the fun nastalgic imagery go?
"Real hop character"? Not!! Boulevard definitely chose the right course in packaging this stuff in an unobtrusive way. Knowing that Boulevard Brewery produced this anemic brew, I may shy away from any future new products. It's got a little more flavor than Busch, but compared to a real lager, it's mildly beer flavored water. And, it tastes 'corny'. All in all, Boulevard has scored a bullseye in their attempt to duplicate an "American lager" along the lines of Busch and Miller. But, they really should stick to making good beer.
This Pilsner is the kind they serve in Northern Germany. Keep on going Boulevard Brewery in Kansas City.
Regarding "not your grandfather's lager" it says on the back label that they're reviving the legacy of full flavored but easy drinking classic American lager from regional breweries, such as George Muehleback Brewing Co. I never had that brew, but the "taste of tradition" Boulevard Pilsner is not bad.
Gomer's has them on sale for $4.98 a 6-pack this week, so I picked one up. Definitely better than the macro beers. You might like it, I did.
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