At the end of 2023, the Tasting Alliance assembled a panel of renowned beer experts in San Francisco. They sipped through thousands of liquid samples in order to determine the best of the best, across dozens of styles of suds. The annual confab is known as the World Beer Competition. Last month we revealed what those specialists selected as their Best In Show IPA. Today we’re going to take a closer look at what was ordained Best In Show Lager for 2023. And the award goes to: Pleasing Gene.
Although it’s prominently labeled a “German Pilsner” on the 16 oz. cans that hold it, this brisk and effervescent offering is actually brewed in Greensboro, North Carolina by the talented artisans at Little Brother Brewing. The judges at the World Beer Competition were won over by the crisp and complex tonalities of the 4.4% patio pounder.
“[It] is an impeccably crafted brew that embodies a delightful symphony of flavors of honeysuckle leading to a crisp finish,” were the exact tasting notes provided by the panel.
True to the Pilsner style—which was initially developed in 1840s Bohemia—Pleasing Gene is a particularly hoppy variation of pale lager (the German style tends to be more straw-like in color and layers malty sweetness atop the bitter base). And true to its name, the beer is, well, quite pleasing on the palate. In order to arrive at that end the brewers have brought in subtle hints of florality to the finish, helping balance out piney hops which are readily available in the nose.
If only the beer were more readily available at the checkout counter. Beyond the brewery’s four tasting rooms—all scattered about the central parts of North Carolina—it’s virtually impossible to score this award winner liquid. Little Brother’s output is simply too micro to accommodate robust national distribution. We certainly hope that situation changes in the near future. It seems plausible given this newly-collected accolade.
Then again, a big part of the charm of craft brewing is the celebration of local communities; tasting something that’s unique to a region in the very region that birthed it. Now that’s particularly vital when it comes to IPAs, which can fade in flavor incredibly fast when getting shipped to every corner of the country. But even with the generally-more shelf stable style of lager, it’s just bound to drink best when sampled from the source.
Besides, any self-respecting beer geek owes it to themself to make a pilgrimage to North Carolina, in general. The Tar Heel State has emerged as one of the preeminent hubs of modern craft production. And it’s hard to imagine that there aren’t many more treasures to be poured over at Little Brother, specifically.
It’s one thing to brew a noteworthy IPA. You merely require a reliable source of fresh, quality hops and a heavy hand to administer them. But only the surefire skills of a talented brewer can make a pilsner pop. Crisp and clean lagers won’t mask any imperfections from the beer-making process. So, with Pleasing Gene you know you can trust that process…Through every mouthwatering sip.
Check out the full list of winners from the Tasting Alliance’s 2023 World Beer Competition here.
The canned lager that took home the top prize.