United Nations of Beer

Brick Pilsner

by Ashley Cotter-Cairns
(UNOB Towers)

Brick Pilsner: Gassy

Brick Pilsner is another Ontario-brewed beer that I managed to cram into one evening's session on a recent trip to the big city of Toronto. Like all pilsners that cross my path, I wanted to like this Brick brew and waited impatiently for the server to bring it to our table.

The pint arrived and looked awesome. It was golden yellow with a smallish head and I swear I heard a little voice say "Drink me, drink me!" Though it was pretty noisy in the pub and we were probably the only group of legal drinking age.

On first sniff, there's a slightly medicinal smell, sweet, yet serious. Once again, I have found an Ontario beer that's quite fizzy, foaming up in my mouth as I take the first pull.

The initial taste is in no man's land between bitter and sweet, then it fades into a long, medium-dry bitterness.

It might have been me on an off night, but once again, this was a really gassy beer. I struggled to finish the glass I ordered, though that kind of performance not becoming of the Secretary General of the OTHER UN, let alone the UN of Beer, I somehow managed to choke it down.

Don't get me wrong. Brick Pilsner tastes just fine. You might want to leave it standing for half an hour to get some of the bubbles out before you tackle it though. Fairly warned be ye, says I.

Don't select this beer for a boat race, or you'll be the one walking the plank at the end of the day.