Shmaltz Brewing Company - Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner

The Coney Island line of craft lagers is known for putting a fresh spin on more traditional lager styles, and their Mermaid Pilsner is no exception. Employing hop varietals not traditionally found in the style, along with dry-hopping (with Amarillo and Crystal), and a complex grain bill featuring rye malt, Shmaltz has crafted a more complex and satisfying experience without losing sight of the balance and refreshment that good pilsners deliver. On the pour, expect a hue that’s a bit darker than an average pils. We found the nose to be pretty complex with a robust pale malt character, and light caramel notes and spicy rye adding a nice twist. There’s a touch of biscuity bread dough, while the hops contribute a fruity brightness with grassy and citric notes. In the flavor department, this brew delivers a mildly bready malt core with more richness than a usual pils. Hops add a fruity component and enough bitterness to maintain a superb and satisfying balance. We think this is a very food-friendly beer that will partner nicely with anything from light fish to Chicken Kiev to pizza to spicy Thai cuisine. Cheers!

Not many brewing companies have the chutzpah to market their beers with the irreverent humor that the Shmaltz Brewing Company (based in San Francisco; brewed in Saratoga Springs, NY) has with their He’Brew brand. From the slogan accompanying each of their brews, “The Chosen Beer,” to the name of their “Jewbelation” anniversary beers, it’s clear they approach the marketing with tongue firmly planted in cheek. But make no mistake, that’s where the joke ends; the beers themselves are the real deal, well-crafted by creative brewers whose passion is apparent with each sip.

The idea for He’Brew beers began one night in 1987, when founder Jeremy Cowan and friends were drinking and brainstorming wild ideas for Jewish-themed products. It was then that the idea was born for a Kosher, high holy days celebratory brew to be called “He’Brew,” and boasting the slogan “Don’t Pass Out, Passover!” In 1996, the dream became a reality; Cowan brewed up his first commercial batch of He’Brew Genesis Ale for that year’s Hanukah celebration. After selling all one hundred cases of Genesis Ale out of the trunk of his grandmother’s Volvo, he decided the next year to quit his day job and focus his energy into building the company. By 2001, Shmaltz was selling 5,000 cases of He’Brew beers annually, and around 2007, they launched the Coney Island brand of craft lagers (a bold move in a craft beer environment dominated by ale). To learn more about Shmaltz and their He’Brew and Coney Island beers, visit www.shmaltzbrewing.com.