5 O’Clock Pils Pils is described as this “The pils malt is light yet with a pleasant bready character, emphasized by the decoction mash wherein
a portion of the mash is removed, boiled and added back. Saaz hops, the only hop that has never been hybridized dating back to when it was first cultivated from a wild plant around 1,000 years ago, gives a pleasant earthy spiciness.
The final, unfiltered beer has a light maltiness, a big refreshing bitter and wonderful, delicate hop flavor and aroma. This is the beer we enjoy every year in the Czech Republic when doing our Saaz hop selection. Only, we’ve added even more hops. It is a beer that can be enjoyed every day of the year. You will never tire of it.”
5 O’Clock Pils is heavier than Saint Arnold’s Summer Pils. It is still a “bright and hoppy lager,” and is extraordinarily accurate for this excellent example of the Czech Pilsner. The pour shows a golden straw-colored beer that’s a bit hazy and has a fluffy white head.
The aromas are dominated, of course, by the Saaz hops and the bready, spicy, earthy notes that varietal imparts.
The taste has big, luscious bready notes, some lemongrass, and a spicy kick to keep this dancing all the way along the palate. Magnificent. The hops are noted, but not overpowering. Just perfectly balanced. The ethanol component is not overly present thus leading to a great drinkability with a great pilsner flavor.
5 O’Clock Pils by the Numbers:
Original Gravity: 1.053 (13.0° Plato)
Bitterness: 40 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 5.2%
Links to more post about Saint Arnold Brews
Saint Arnold Pub Crawl Pale Ale