Schilling Alexandr

Alexandr is a New Hampshire pilsner from Schilling, listed at 5.0% ABV and 20 IBU. That bitterness figure is on the low side even for the style, so expect a lager that leans toward clean malt and soft, grassy or floral hop character rather than a sharp, resinous bite. Beers in this lane typically show pale straw to light gold color, a bready, cracker-like malt backbone with a touch of sweetness, and a dry, crisp finish that keeps the sweetness from lingering. The modest IBU and mid-strength ABV make this an easy beer to drink in volume without palate fatigue. Because there is little hop aggression, the carbonation and the clean fermentation profile do most of the work: the bubbles lift the malt, and the finish resets quickly. Lagers like this tend to reward attention to freshness, since delicate malt and hop aromatics fade faster than they would in a heavily hopped ale. For serving, pour it cold but not frozen, roughly 38 to 45°F. Straight from the back of a very cold fridge, a pilsner of this weight can lose its malt character entirely, so letting it sit a few minutes after opening helps the bread and grain notes come forward. A tall, slender pilsner glass or a tulip-shaped pint glass suits it best: the narrow shape holds a firm white head and concentrates the light hop aroma, while the height shows off the clarity and carbonation. At the table, a beer with this much restraint pairs well with food that would be overwhelmed by a bigger style. Think grilled bratwurst or chicken, pretzels with mustard, fish tacos, fried fish, light salads with vinaigrette, and mild cheeses such as havarti or young gouda. The crisp finish also cuts through fried or salty dishes, and it handles lightly spiced foods without amplifying the heat the way a hoppier beer would.