Terrapin Side Project 21 – Pineapple Express Smoked Pineapple Helles

From Terrapin Beer Co. – Pulling into Terrapin Beer Co’s station is Pineapple Express, the winner of our first annual Employee Homebrew Challenge. Inspired by a late night grilling session with friends, a couple of chunks of pineapple got thrown into the mix, and an idea for a new beer style was born. The team brewed up a Helles lager for the base brew and used real pineapple and smoked malt to concoct the winning recipe.

Terrapin Beer Co. – Terrapin Pineapple Express Smoked Pineapple Helles – 22 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass. 5.3% abv.

Appearance: Pours a hazy bright yellow gold with a white head that subsides to a frothy thin cap.

Aroma:  Smoky malt, banana, pineapple. Very Belgian wit like.

Taste:  Pilsner/Pale German malt pop, nice earthy spicy Eurohops, a little fruit twang in the end with some wood smoke notes in the finish.

Mouthfeel:  Medium bodied, average carbonation.

Overall: Drinkable, balanced, but didn’t knock my socks off. I didn’t get much pineapple, appreciative of the smoked malt. Fun to try.