Efes Pilsen (Pilsener)

Brewed by Anadolu Efes
Style: Pale Lager
Istanbul, Turkey

Serve in Dimpled mug, English pint, Lager glass, Shaker

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Freshness really matters with this one. The freshest bottles are actually to be had in Northern Cyprus. After about 2 months in Turkey never had one fresh so it was a surprise to find that bottles acquired on the Karpaz peninsula or Famagusta area in Northern Cyprus were in super condition. It could be also the time of year, affecting temperature of storage. Pours light, bright and clear pale gold with a fizzy head that fades unfortunately fast. At its best the aroma is grassy, crisp, inviting. When it isn’t as fresh, the aroma sours and loses its grassy hop but never falls below a 3. Palate is thin but is dry and carries the flavors well, which are balanced and nicely hopped (again when the beer is fresh). Tempted to give palate score a 3 but when it’s not fresh, the hops vanish leaving in their place a cloying stickiness of palate that belies the potential of the beer. But I’m rating this from a newly acquired fresh bottle from Northern Cyprus so we continue...what is remarkable about a fresh Efes is the pleasantly leafy hop bitterness in the aftertaste that makes it taste like a genuine Germanic pils. After having so many sour Efes tasting like typical macro swill it was a delight to discover that in prime condition the beer actually tastes good. It’s like that with all beer.

0,33l bottle. From Efes Deutschland, ABV 4,9. Pours pale yellow clear body with white foamy short head. Aromas include some hops, malts and grains and grass. Palate is thin watery, with soft crispy carbonation and mouthfeel. Taste is malty and weak short dry hoppy finish. Decent lager, with mild flavours but refreshing enough.

Meh. It’s just one of those crappy little lager beers that’s like all the crap stuff you drink in college. Oh well. It’s from Turkey, so there’s a country off my list...

Pale golden colour, clear liquid, white head. Aroma has notes of malt, fresh bread and some metal. Medium body, medium bitter taste, average carbonation, astringent finish.

Nice healthy pilsner aroma and taste to match. Decent enough for a lager session.

Clear golden, white head with duration. Grassy hops. Malt-fruity flavour with dry bitter finish. Simple and soft carbonation.

0,5 l Bottle. Brewed in Germany (under license) golden, clear, minimal head, white foam, light sweetness, medium bitterness, lightly sour, light body, thin feel, lively, bitter, Metallic,

Nov 2006: Bought this bottle because I enjoyed drinking this beer some years ago, while on holiday in Turkey. Very pale straw blond in colour. The beer in the bottle, before I poured it, had a strong hop smell: but it disappeared once the beer was in my glass. Pilsners from the Med don’t have great flavours, or strong aftertastes, this one almost does have those qualities, but not quiet.

An average lager, nothing particularly special. Slightly watery but easy enough to drink.

Bottle. Gold body. Thin white head. Lager malt, citrus, wheat. Bitter. Some harsh alcohol. Crisp. Dry finish.

Bottle, Pours golden with little head. Tastes of hops and has a little bitter after taste.