Rocks Brewing Pilsner Lager

When they redesigned their core range at the start of 2022, Rocks ditched the location-based and colloquial names for some of their beers for a more straightforward approach. Thus out went Alexandria Lager – a beer of which our Mick Wüst had written: "Yikes. Even compared to other lagers, this is impressively easy to drink." – and in came Pilsner Lager.

While the new look beer remains inspired by the classics of Germany, with the brewers stating it's "lagered for months", it's fruitier and more new world in character than classic euro Pilsners, albeit still displaying those familiar Pilsner malt flavours and a little spiciness. Pilsner Lager pours bright and gold as an ingot, with a somewhat offbeat citrus character on the nose and to taste – maybe cumquats or something of Japanese origin – and a finish that’s more drying than bitter.

James Smith