Prison Break Breakout Pilsner

From Guelph, Ontario's Double Trouble Brewing Co. comes Prison Break Breakout Pilsner, a really exceptional pale lager. It's sold in playful 473mL cans and contains 5% alcohol. The can makes some pretty bold claims about a pilsner that'll "set your palate free of uninspiring lagers" and an "unconfined flavour" that "demonstrates just how good a lager can taste". They certainly got my interest.

Prison Break is a bit hazier than a conventional pilsner, though it does have the classic straw gold colour and the white head. The aroma is grass and grain, but with a dollop of bitterness that hints at good things to come. The front end is grain-driven, with some hay flavours and just the faintest brush of sweetness. The back end is bitter--not pale ale bitter, but for a pilsner, it has ample hop presence.

This is definitely a pilsner for the craft beer set. I admit it: I buy into the hype on the can. This is an impressive pale beer--a real departure from the standard macros, but still accessible to fans of the major national brands. This is the kind of stuff that could be a gateway to craft beers for lager drinkers.  It's hella crisp and refreshing too.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10.