Daniel Drinks the Styles: Gold Line Classic American Pilsner

Continuing to leverage my time at home during the coronavirus pandemic, I am studying for the second level of the Cicerone Certification Program for beer professionals. To stay honest in my studies, I am publishing reviews of DMV beers brewed in the classic styles and comparing them to the official style guidelines. While I recently took my online exam, I am continuing to do so to a) keep myself informed and b) I am really enjoying writing for you all.

Gold Line

American Lagers get a lot of hate from beer nerds, yet they remain the most popular beer style, by far, in the United States. Silver Branch’s labeling as “Classic American Pilsner” is telling –classically American (that is, immigrants influenced by US terroir), but perhaps closer to a traditional Pilsner than a Coors. Considering its use of corn in the grist, let’s compare it against the American lager style:

American Lager Guidelines from the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP): 

A very pale, highly-carbonated, light-bodie

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