TAKING A PILS (Kelso of Brooklyn’s Pilsner at Pacific Standard)

My search for the best beer in New York continues….

I’ve already proclaimed on this site that Kelso’s Pilsner is the best version of an American pilsner I have ever tasted. It was over a year ago and I was amazed at the complexity of this normally bland tasting beer. For reference, most of the commercially produced light beers in this country are pilsners and we all know those taste more like water than actual beer.

The Kelso Pilsner was not the beer I planned on ordering at Pacific Standard. The bar was bright and lively with families and groups of friends hanging out over some great craft brews. There was a very relaxed vibe (especially on a Saturday afternoon) that recalls a friend’s living room or den – there are even a library in the back room. I wanted to order the Greenport Harbor Black Duck  Porter since it was a colder day and it’s a harder beer to find, but the keg literally kicked as the good-spirited bartender attempted to pour my beer.

So since the Kelso Pilsner was the only other local (within my jurisdiction of 90 miles from NYC) beer on their list and I needed to officially review it for my beer search, I thought I’d happily give it another taste.

The translucent golden beer was light and full of lively bubbles that resemble upwards snow. There wasn’t much of a head, but the nose was very aromatic, full of barley and bready notes. And I still love the way this crisp lager tastes. It has the tiniest bit of honey sweetness, but finishes very dry with complex cereal and floral flavors that make this beer incredibly drinkable.

Pilsners are not what I normally like to drink, especially on a winter afternoon, but Kelso’s version is phenomenal and remains enjoyable all year long.

Is Kelso of Brooklyn’s Pilsner the best beer in NY? It’s certainly the best pilsner I’ve tasted in these parts, not to mention it being utterly delicious. 10 out of 10.