The Ace Hill Beer Company, based in Ontario’s capital Toronto, takes a different approach to brewing than several of its craft competitors. Rather than offering a wide array of strong-tasting beers, like Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery or Hop City Brewing Company, the Ace Hill Beer Company brews but a single beer, their Ace Hill Pilsner. Taking fellow Torontonian Steam Whistle Brewing‘s model, Ace Hill brews one beer, and one beer only.
I like pilsners. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, my regular beer is Steam Whistle Pilsner. So if I don’t like their beer, Ace Hill has probably missed their target demographic, which is regular drinkers of locally and independently brewed Ontarian pilsner. Pressure’s on …
Ace Hill Pilsner – First Sip
Ace Hill Pilsner pours a pale golden colour with a layer of head, about a centimeter thick, that gathers at the rim of my pilsner glass. The foam dissipates steadily. I immediately notice its tart flavour when I take my first sip. Apple-y to the point of tasting almost like a hard cider with a grainy aftertaste, it’s an easy beer to guzzle, and at 4.9% ABV in 473-mL cans you can probably guzzle a couple. This pilsner’s sharp taste and active bubbles give it a crisp watery mouthfeel.
Ace Hill Pilsner – Last Sip
Exceptionally faithful readers of my beer reviews might remember that my first review was an arguably ill-conceived comparison between Steam Whistle Pilsner and Moosehead Lager. I realize now, having reviewed over a hundred beers, that my initial comparison review was probably a bit like comparing apples to oranges. But, save your crow! I won’t eat it! This pilsner, in my opinion, essentially represents a middle-ground between the two independent Canadian flagship brews.
Moosehead Lager, as my primary beer review states, has “a malty aftertaste” whereas Steam Whistle Pilsner is a “smooth, easy-drinking beer with just a bit of an edge.” Ace Hill Pilsner’s tart flavour and thirst-quenching mouthfeel make it both similar and dissimilar to both brews.