I didn't drink any bourbon on Christmas Day, but I did get to enjoy a couple of these Imperial Pilsners. I have to say, this is the best Pilsner I have EVER had. I'd also say that I don't even typically like Pilsners, finding them to bland. Not this bad boy! It is loaded with malty, hoppy flavors. It packs a punch too, at 8.8% alcohol. Upnon pouring the beer into a nice tall glass, there was lots of those nice tiny bubbles, forming a wonderful head. Before tasting, you have to savor the wonderful aroma of this beer. The aroma is a great prelude to the super taste sensations that await you. It is awesome!
For a little info regarding this beer, the back label says in part: "Yes we're a little obsessed with hops. Every autumn I (Jim Koch) travel to Bavaria to hand select the prized Noble Hallertau Mittelfruch hops. We are celebrating these extraordinary hops with our Imperial Pilsner. This one-of-a-kind brew uses enourmous, almost reckless, quantities of hops, which give the beer an unmatched flavor dimension and complexity."
This beer has been hard to find. I'd tasted it months earlier at a birthday party, and had been seeking it out on LI ever since. Finally it showed up at a local distributor. It is a bit expensive: $12 for a 4-pack, but well worth the price once you enjoy the lucious flavors of this beer. When I think that the price is $3 per bottle, its not so bad when compared to what I'd pay for a crappy beer at a bar. If you can find this beer, and you love hops, give this a try. You won't be sorry!