Organic beer - Emerson’s Organic Pilsner

I recently stumbled across a pilsner that won’t make its way to the back of my fridge any time soon. Not because the beer isn’t any good - just the opposite in fact. The beer is so good that it demands, and generally receives, instant attention. With its tangy, fresh taste and clean citrus flavours, Emerson’s Organic Pilsner is one beer that has made me an instant fan.

Emerson’s Brewery is based in Dunedin, New Zealand. Dunedin, apart from being a great town, has a long and proud brewing history. With some of the finest organic hops emanating from New Zealand, as well as access to clean spring water and an abundance of fine organic raw materials to commence with, you might reasonably conclude that Emerson’s Brewery enjoys an unfair advantage over others seeking attention in the increasingly competitive international Pilsner market. Having visited the South Island of New Zealand on a number of occasions, I’d have to conclude that such an assessment wouldn’t be unreasonable. However, as some of New Zealand’s larger North Island-based commercial breweries prove all too frequently - with their bland non-descript copycat lagers - having access to premium raw materials is not always enough.

That Emerson’s Brewery commences with premium organic ingredients in bringing to life its Pilsner is not in question. However, its use of premium organic raw materials is just the beginning. Emerson’s is a “real” brewery. The brewers involved in producing this product are quite clearly craftsmen in their own right. They display a deep respect for the Pilsner tradition yet the capacity to carefully introduce and cement their own lively personalities within the parameters of the tradition.

The beer is ideally served at between 6-8 degrees celcius and has an alcohol content of 4.9%. And although Emerson’s Organic Pilsner was a new - and most pleasant - discovery for me, it’s actually been around for a while. According to the company’s website, the beer has received the following awards:

• Silver 2006, Australia International Beer Awards
• Silver 2005, Brew NZ Awards
• Silver 2004, Brew NZ Awards
• Gold 2003, Brew NZ Awards
• Gold 2003, Australia International Beer Awards
• Gold 2002, Australia International Beer Awards
• Gold 2002, Brew NZ Awards

Where can you get it?

If you’re fortunate enough to reside in New Zealand, you can pick up your Emerson’s Pilsner at a wide range of outlets. Your best option would be to visit the Emerson’s website for your nearest stockist. If like me you’re not located in New Zealand, you’ll have to seek out a specialty wine and beer store. I picked up my Emerson’s Pilsner at Festival Cellars in Brisbane. If your specialty organic beer store doesn’t stock Emerson’s Pilsner, you might like to twist the arm of the store manager and get them to order you in a couple of cases specially.

To find out more about Emerson’s Brewery please check out the company’s website and also their blog. This is certainly one beer that I’ll be seeking out whenever I get the opportunity. Cheers.