Capital Special Pilsner

[hops99]

Due to a close-out by an Ohio distributor, I was able to score $15 cases of Capital Special Pilsner and Kloster Weizen. So, I've really been enjoying the pilsner the last few nights.

The beer pours golden with a thick white head. You can definitely tell this beer has a malt presence through the nose, and the taste is a nice balance of generous malt and moderate hoppiness.

Unlike so many beers that punch you in the nose, this is a subtle, wonderful brew that I'd seek out - easily one of my top 5 pilsners anywhere.

[BluesHarp]

Good choice... Capital is one of those breweries that doesn't make any over-the-top beers, but their selections are all well-made and very true to their style.

[danno]

I'm with you, the Capital Special Pilsner is a very nice beer. If it only makes your top 5, I wonder what other ones I'm missing out on, because other than draft Pilsener Urquell, it's about the best I've tasted...

[hops99]

Well, it definitely makes a strong case for #1, you're right! It's right in the mix with Penn Pilsner (always my favorite, but I haven't had one in over a year), and Tupper's Pils.

[steveh]

I've said it before, I'll sound the horn once again - my favorite micro-brewery in the country. Kirby knows his stuff.

The Special Pils follows a typical German Pils style; well balanced, soft body, subtle character, and very refreshing. A top five comparison (of beers I've sampled) would definitely include any of the Munich breweries' versions, König Pils, New Belgium's Blue Paddle, Lakefront's Klisch Pilsner - among others.

Enjoy the Weizen, it's a great Bavarian Hefe.

S.

[Brownbeard]

The Hy-Vee here in town has the capital brown and the capital amber. I have never picked them up. Maybe I should.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
A top five comparison (of beers I've sampled) would definitely include any of the Munich breweries' versions, König Pils, New Belgium's Blue Paddle, Lakefront's Klisch Pilsner - among others.

Enjoy the Weizen, it's a great Bavarian Hefe.

S.

Steveh, have you had the Victory Prima Pils? I'm curious about your thoughts on that one; I've yet to do a back to back taste test with other pilsners. I picked some up at the Liquor Stop in Highland, IN last month.

I like to drink pilsners in the summer, but haven't gotten into many yet...since it's still monsoon season here, as I'm sure you are very aware!:D

BTW...you are correct on the Capital Hefe Weizen, great choice for Weizen fans. It's not one of my favorite styles, but I can certainly appreciate a good one...and Capital's offering is exactly that.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
Steveh, have you had the Victory Prima Pils? I'm curious about your thoughts on that one;

No, I haven't tried that one yet, but I see the Victory label becoming more available in my area (at a premium price, but available nonetheless). I'll have to see if my local paint store will be getting any - the owner got a couple other styles from the brand recently. Stay tuned.

S.

[BluesHarp]

I believe I got mine at De Carlo's Armanetti...it was a long day!

BTW...I picked up some Capital Special Pils tonight, and had a couple after planting my garden...I now remember how good it is!

The Victory Prima Pils (from memory) does not have quite as much of a "bready" (biscuit ?) taste, and has a stronger Saaz hop flavor.

That's not much of a review, I know, but I'm now most of the way through a Riverwest Stein, so the pilsener has somewhat faded from my palate...;)

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I believe I got mine at De Carlo's Armanetti...it was a long day!

Yeah, I've seen it there too - that's also where I picked up the Avery.

The Victory Prima Pils (from memory) does not have quite as much of a "bready" (biscuit ?) taste, and has a stronger Saaz hop flavor.

I think Kirby is getting more imported German malts into his lager mashes, or maybe the Melanoidin malts that Brewmonkey and Stod have talked about. It's giving his beers a more German flavor - hurt me. ;) The Munich Dark has become an outstanding brew.

S.

[hops99]

By the way, can anyone give a recommendation on the Capital Bohemian Pilsner? I read that Men's Journal lists it as one of the top 10 craft beers in the U.S., and it's one offering from Capital that I haven't tried...?

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
By the way, can anyone give a recommendation on the Capital Bohemian Pilsner? I read that Men's Journal lists it as one of the top 10 craft beers in the U.S., and it's one offering from Capital that I haven't tried...?

The only Pilsner that Capital brews is the "Special Pilsner." There are 2 possibilities for confusion; A. The Special could have been called Bohemian in the past, just as the Munich Dark used to be called...uh, something Dark - I can't recall right now, just as I can't recall if there ever was a Capital Bohemian, I have some older sources at home that I can check. B. MJ could be referring to a brew from Capitol City Brewing, a mini-chain of brew-pubs in the D.C. area.

S.

http://www.capital-brewery.com/ourbeers/index.html

[hops99]

No, it's definitely from the guys in Middleton. Here's the link to the article - note the blue label on the bottle.

http://www.mensjournal.com/feature/0407/bestBeer.html

It would make sense that the name of the beer may have changed to Special Pilsner, but I wonder why/how MJ wouldn't have known? Weird.

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
No, it's definitely from the guys in Middleton. Here's the link to the article - note the blue label on the bottle.

Uh...did you mean the Bavarian Lager? I don't see a Bohemian Pils in that link - and only the one Capital beer.

The Bavarian Lager is a typical Munchener Helles in the tradition of Spaten and Paulaner's light lagers - it's a bit heavier in malts than the Special Pils, as helles tend to be, compared to Pils. It's a great quaffer, and another fine crafted lager from Kirby at Capital.

S.

[hops99]

OK, I'll crawl back into my hole now....:(

(after I get fitted for a new pair of glasses)

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
OK, I'll crawl back into my hole now....
(after I get fitted for a new pair of glasses)

Heh heh - It's still a great list, thanks for the link. Is that from the current issue?

And if you haven't tried the Bavarian, it's great too - I'd stack it up against Great Lakes' Dortmunder Gold any day...hmm, yet another side-by.

S.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
... just as the Munich Dark used to be called...uh, something Dark - I can't recall right now...

Are you by chance thinking of GartenBrau(sp?) Dark?? I remember loving that years ago, but never paid much attention to who made it; I think it may have been Capital.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
Are you by chance thinking of GartenBrau(sp?) Dark?? I remember loving that years ago, but never paid much attention to who made it; I think it may have been Capital.

All of Capital's beers used to be called "Garten Brau," and the packaging and labeling was inconsistent. When Tom Fuchs was hired on as marketing manager (circ. 1999) he streamlined everything into an identity that was more readily recognizable. The fact that all the beers had 3 names (eg. Capital - Garten Brau - Wisconsin Amber) was just too much info on a label for consumers to process - as proven by you not remembering Garten Brau was Capital.

But no, even after streamlining the Dark had a different name than the Munich Dark it carries now - it may have just been labeled Dark, funny that I can't remember - it's hell to get old! :P

Bottom line is - it's the same beer as the Garten Brau you remember - maybe even better!

S.