By Kerry Cyganiewicz

When thinking of a pilsner, most people think of a mass-market American beer. A few think of a more premium European offering. Pilsner is generally a clear, light-colored lager with little hop character ~ low in alcohol and easy to drink. Narragansett’s Imperial Bohemian Pilsner is easy to drink, but the similarities to a typical pilsner end there.

Narragansett recently released its Imperial Bohemian Pilsner, part of its limited-edition Private Stock series. This beer will weigh in at 8.6 percent ABV (alcohol by volume), about twice that of a normal pilsner beer, hence the Imperial designation. This brew is made with pale malt, pilsner malt, wheat malt and Cara Blonde malt from Belgium. It’s then bittered with Northern Brewer hops and Hallerteau hops and is also double-dry hopped with Hallerteau. Much like the 122nd Anniversary Imperial IPA, this will be available for a limited time in 22-ounce bomber bottles and on draft.

Here is my take on it:

Appearance: It has a copper hue, darker than a regular pilsner and is cloudy because it’s not filtered (a good thing).

Aroma: Some light, bready, malty tones mixed with some fruit from the hops.

Taste: Starts out with floral notes, as well as some melon, and gradually trails into a slightly sweet malt finish. The alcohol is hidden well.

Mouthfeel: Slightly heavier than a pilsner but creamy smooth with perfect carbonation.

Overall: I enjoyed this very much, as did some friends that tend to gravitate toward mass-market beers. It paired well with the barbecue we were eating. This is the most drinkable beer I have sampled to date with an ABV of 8.6 percent. Well done!