Great Divide - Nomad

I have tried a number of offerings from Great Divide and one of their latest is Nomad (5.4% ABV and IBU) a Bohemian Pilsner.  Great Divide uses two word descriptors on their labels and Nomad has the words “Bright” and “Elegant”.  These descriptors are spot on and this is a very nice pilsner from Great Divide.  Nomad is available January – March.

Czech Pilsener – http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/40 - Beeradvocate

Appearance – Straw yellow, clear with a silky two-finger head.

Aroma – Smell of a classic pilsner, grain, bitter hops and a hint of citrus (lemon).

Taste – Very clean and a little sweet to start and then a nice finish from the hops.  A very good pilsner without the skunky taste and smell that I find so many pilsners have.

Overall – B+ – Another really good beer from Great Divide.  Great Divide is one of those brewers that you can pick anything they offer and it will be tasty.

Website description – “NOMAD is our spin on the classic Bohemian Pilsner style.  The journey starts with German malts and Saaz hops that offer a lively floral nose and crispness, while a full 5 weeks of lagering time ensures that Nomad is eminently balanced.  This Nomad may wander, but it’s got serious roots.”

URL – http://www.greatdivide.com/

Upslope – Craft Lager

Upslope is a new brewer here in Colorado and they are based in Boulder.  They currently are canning four styles and the latest in the line-up is Craft Lager (4.8% ABV).  On the can, the labels are “Bright – Fresh – Easy” and the ingredients description is “Made with snowmelt, Czech Saaz hops and lager yeast” and I made the assumption that this would be an American Lager with ties to a Bohemian Pilsener.  The color is yellow gold with a nice head that quickly recedes.  Craft Lager has a classic lager clean taste with note of bread, and a clean dry hop finish.  This is a session beer that would be great to have after yard work or to take to a BBQ or a picnic.  Nicely done and I think Upslope is a brewery to watch – they took a Gold Medal at the 2011 GABF for their Pumpkin Ale.