Sam Adams Downtime Pilsner
I found myself in one of the most horrific and dire situations known to humanity: I was out of beer. I don’t know how it happened. It’s just one of those things that maybe once or twice in your adult life sneaks up on you when you’re not looking. It was dinner time, and we were having burgers. There are two foods that I particularly love pairing with beer - pizza and burgers. Not that I don’t like pairing beer with almost any food, but burgers and pizza are made to have beer with. I open the fridge to grab a brew and … there was no beer in sight. What? How? When?
“Are you sure?” I asked myself.
I looked again, “Nope. No beer.”
OK. No need to panic. Fortunately, I live within a 5 minute walk of two places that sell beer. I knew my choices would be extremely limited, however. One place is a convenience store. I’ve been there before, and have seen their beer selection. I knew it would be a last resort. The other place is one of those “beer and tobacco” strip mall type places that sells lottery tickets, beer and cigarettes. I had never been there before, so I bravely strike out to give it a try. I walk in and suddenly realize how old and out of touch I am. I walk past the assorted “pipes” and other paraphernalia that aids in your “smoking pleasure”. I’ve been around the block a few times… I had an “interesting” youth, but I couldn’t even figure out what some of that stuff could be used for. And don’t get me started on the vape-wear and accessories.
I looked past all this and saw a cooler wall straight ahead. I know what that is used for! I get in front of it and start scanning… Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Coors Lite, Miller, Miller Lite…. panic was creeping in. “Have they no beer?” I silently scream in my head. “My burger is getting cold!”
Then I look to my right. Another cooler! Scanning… Angry Orchard, Mike’s Hard Cider… A ray of hope! I see Sierra Nevada! I had tried all of those before… scanning… I see some Blue Moon (OK, but I’m over it), then I see this Downtime Pilsner from Sam Adams… hmm, I hadn’t see that one, so I grab it and get in line behind some tattoos with people under them (not that there’s anything wrong with that). I check out and manage to get back home while my burger is still warm. Whew!
OK, it’s another brew from Sam Adams. Yes, most beer snobs don’t consider them to be a “craft” brewery, but (as I’ve said before) I credit Sam Adams for nudging the craft brew “movement” to the wonderful heights it has become. Plus, they make good beer and Downtime Pilsner is one of them.
I poured it into my favorite beer glass. It didn’t hold much of head, but it was a nice color, a little cloudy. It’s a refreshing, spot-on summer brew. It’s low alcohol (5%) and tasty. A combination that, as I’ve experienced on several occasions, is not easy to attain. It has a hint of citrus, a nice malty flavor and finished clean. I don’t know how they do it, but some of these beers I’ve “tested” manage to finish in such a way that it programs your mouth for another mouthful. This is one of those. So, if you’re looking for a great beer to have at a cookout or with a burger, I think Downtime Pilsner is a solid choice.
