Henry Deltoid's Beer Review: Sweetwater Take Two Pils

Sweetwater Brewing Company, the Atlanta native, is now distributing in Chicago! And it is quite apropos to acknowledge this addition to our fine list of interstate importers by including their German style pilsner in part 2 of my 5-part pilsner series. Of all 5 pilsners I am reviewing, Take Two Pils is the weakest entry, but Einstein’s theory of relativity applies here, in the same sense that my Italian sausage rod would likely be the weakest object inserted into Natasha White’s baby cave.

Pilsner part 2 FUN FACT: While German and Czech (Bohemian) pilsners are the only two styles available for purchase there is an American style pilsner as well. It was developed by German immigrants in America who used American ingredients in their brews, although they did bring their yeast with them. This style became a permanent casualty of the Prohibition war in America during the late teens and early 20s (fuck you, Eliot Ness’s ghost!). It was resurrected later in the field of home brewing only.

Henry Deltoid's Beer Review: Sweetwater Take Two Pils

Take Two Pils is clear and bright yellow. The head is fluffy, fizzy, foamy, white, and sloppy. Like a goldfish I won at a local fair by tossing a ping-pong ball into a glass bowl at the age of 10, I admired it, turned to look at something else, and when I re-focused my vision on it, it was dead. But life was breathed back into the presentation when I noticed its aroma was quite fine, displaying sweet citrus, multi-grains, and piney hops. The flavor was earthy and grainy, with sweet apples, soy, edamame beans, and a bitter finish. From the finish to the aftertaste this one was noticeably bitterer than the Dogfish Head Piercing Pils I reviewed last week. The bitter aftertaste is pronounced but it’s not stinging; with grass, pine, and a faint citrus garnish. Lacing exists here like the dimensional stability of my high school prom date’s hymen. Its texture isn’t as creamy as the Piercing Pils but it is still fizzy, smooth, and soft.

“Take Two Pils” does not stand out as the best of what Sweetwater has to offer, but it’s still a worthy brew and serves its purpose. Everything about it is very good, but nothing about it screams at me to buy it again. It earns credit for tasting good and fresh, but wouldn’t quite make the final cut if I went into a spirit shop which had a pleasing inventory and I could only take home 3 pilsners.

Sweetwater Take Two Pils

German Style Pilsner

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: 35

Style: 8/10

Overall: 7.5/10

The Deltoid has spoken.

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