Beer of the Week! 09/23/24

Aslin Scuzzi

Normally $11.99 / Now on Sale for $10.96
Unfiltered Italian-Style Pilsner

Believe it or not, the Italian-Style Pilsner is a relatively new thing. If you’re thinking about Moretti or Peroni, pause a moment, because, believe it or not, they’re something else (European Pale Lagers). Rather, think about the Firestone Walker Pivo Pils.

In 2012, Paso Robles’ Firestone Walker Brewing Company released their Pivo Pils — a much different take on the Pilsner than America beer drinkers were used to. Dry-hopped with German Sapphir hops, it boasts floral aromatics. So, why call it an Italian-Style Pilsner? ‘Cause, Firestone-Walker brewmaster Matt Brynildson’s inspiration comes from Birrificio Italiano, in Como, Italy — north of Milan, in northwestern Italy.

In 1996, founder Agostino Arioli set out to make a German style Pilsner. It didn’t come out the way he wanted, but he liked what he finally got. Arioli had left his Pilsner unfiltered and had dry-hopped it, giving it an appealing aroma. He named the resultant brew the Tipopils, the “Kind of Pils.” That was the beer that most inspired the Pivo Pils, which is the beer that hipped people to what’s now being called the Italian-Style Pilsner.

Aslin’s Scuzzi is right in that mold. Being unfiltered gives it a deeper breadth than traditional American or German Pilsners. It also boasts a floral aroma like autumn olive and tulsi. Maybe Aslin calls it the Scuzzi as if to say, “Excuse me, but you really need to try this beer!” It certainly doesn’t have to excuse itself to anybody.