Beer review: Noble Ale Works Pistol Whip’d Pils

Summertime begs for crisp lager beers, and Noble Ale Works’ Pistol Whip’d Pils is a modern take on the classic Bohemian Pilsner that will quench your thirst and open your eyes to just how flavorful this oft-misunderstood style can be.

The best pilsners are light, spritzy and balanced between delicate malt flavors and a zippy hop bite — traditionally from European hops. Noble Ale Works puts a new twist on the formula with intensely fruity Motueka hops from New Zealand, and Pistol Whip’d is bursting with zesty aroma and a bright lime-and-citrus hop flavor. There’s some malt sweetness, but its impression is brief as it dries to a crisp and sparkling clean finish with a pleasant lingering bitterness.

Pistol Whip’d Pils shares little with the industrial “pilsners” that dominated American beer for decades. Both familiar and quirky, it’s a golden lager for a new generation of beer lovers. At home both at a ballgame and the dinner table, the brew is delightful with summer salads, fresh cheeses and crisp Neapolitan pizzas.

Style: Czech-style Pilsner

Price: About $6 for a 22-ounce bottle

Where to find it: The Noble Ale Works tap room in Anaheim, (714) 634-2739, www.noblealeworks.com; Cap N Cork Jr. Market in Los Feliz, (323) 665-7880; Whole Foods Markets; and bottle shops across Los Angeles.

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