22 Feb St. Arnold 5 O’Clock Pils by Tam

5 O’Clock Pils

St. Arnold Brewing Company

Houston, TX (Lyons Avenue)

Czech Pilsner

ABV: 5.2%

IBUs: 40

Packaging: Draft, 12oz. Cans and Bottles

Before I start, quick shout out to all my Asian-American peoples who subscribe to us:

Happy Lunar New Year!

Chúc mừng năm mới! (Vietnamese)

新年快樂! (Chinese)

明けましておめでとうございます! (Japanese)

새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Korean)

(Yeah I’m a little late but whatever, and I got those translations from the internet so give me some credit.)

Anyways, what funky weather we got going on. I’m surprised that the entire city of Houston isn’t sick. How can we go from damp humidity and mid 80s to the 40’s and then back in a matter of two days? Texas Houston, that’s how.

Well, I’m not going to let it keep me down and neither should you. So throw on some shorts, grab a lawn chair, and sit back for my next review. Or grab some NyQuil if you’ve been bested by that weather.

In keeping with the Pilsner from last week (Southern Star Spring Pils), I thought it would only be right to circle around to a year-round, ever-dependable brew from St. Arnold. Of course, I’m talking about that Czech style brew, 5 O’Clock Pils.

This brew is made with the simplest ingredients, as boasted on their site, Pils malt and Saaz Hops. If you know your Czech brews, (which it’s okay if you don’t – I have a slight advantage since I lived in Europe for a bit) Saaz Hops is named after the Czech city Zatec (or Saaz in German). These hops make up about 75% of most beers in the Czech Republic, so if its good enough for an entire country, its good enough for me.

5 O’Clock Pils pours a smooth hay colored liquid with a slight bit of haziness as well as a fine layer of head. The aroma has almost a fresh cut grass scent that touches at hints of spice. The mouthfeel is refreshing and pays respect to Czech style of beer making. The subtle lemon aftertaste surprised me and blended well with the mild-bitter hop residue left on my tongue. What didn’t surprise me, is just like many other St. Arnold brews, this one also left me wanting another.

St. Arnold’s decorative and highly imaginative art impresses me every time. I appreciate their well thought out blend of bold, simple art and subtle little “Easter eggs.” Especially the Patron Saint himself – created 20+ years ago – being re-imagined for each new brew. This can’s label holds those truths, from the “Texas shaped sun” to the silhouette of the brewery gracing St. Arnold. The name itself is clever, paying homage to great country singers Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet; which if you have no idea what I am talking about, immediately leave this site, this state, and this planet.

For me, I would rather not have something “Tall n’ Strong” but more on the cold and hoppy side; then again I am a writer for a craft beer site, so I might be a bit biased. Tell us what you think of 5 O’Clock Pils in the comments below, and as always “Beers to you, Houston!”