The Swill: Perla Chmielowa
The Still: Perla - Browary Lubelskie S.A.
Lublin, Poland
http://www.perla.pl
The Drill: Pilsner, 16.9oz bottle, 6.2% ABV
The Spill: This Polish brew pours a brassy color with a white head. It starts off highly carbonated, but quickly settles down. The smell is a malty, somewhat sour one, typical of beers of this region. Little or no hops are to be found in the nose of this beer, or for that matter, the taste. The flavor is bready and malty, albeit it in very light fashion, and the mouthfeel is light as well: watery and clean, but not crisp.
Says Bill: I'm no expert in Polish, but I believe this beer is pronounced SHMEE-a-LOW-va. I'm not crazy about pilsners, but the Polish are. Much of the stuff that comes out of eastern Europe is stuff like this. In fact, pilsners got their name from the village of Pilsen, which is located in the region of Bohemia in the Czech Republic. This really isn't strong enough for a session beer; I think anyone's palate would tire quickly of it due to its extremely mild flavor. However, it seems like a great choice to go with a light fish dinner, or to chase back a few pierogi on a hot summer day.
Refill?: If only people would lighten up about polack jokes the way the Polish have lightened up about beer: 2 taps out of 5.