Notch Session Pils
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Tasting Notes
The aroma is clean and grassy with a faint floral hop note and a light grainy sweetness underneath. On the palate, soft malt character meets a firm but not aggressive bitterness, with subtle herbal and spicy Saaz-derived hop presence. The body is lean and dry, built deliberately for drinkability at session strength. The finish is clean with a lingering mild bitterness that keeps the beer honest.
About the Brewery
Notch Brewing is based in Salem, Massachusetts, founded by Chris Lohring around 2010, and is one of the earliest American breweries to build its entire identity around session-strength beer — nothing in their lineup exceeds 4.5% ABV. They draw heavily on Central European lager traditions, particularly Czech and German styles, and operate a taproom that leans into that low-alcohol, high-quality philosophy. They're a notable and somewhat singular presence in the American craft scene for sticking to that constraint without compromise.
Food Pairings
A plate of charcuterie and mild cured meats works well because the dry, bitter finish cuts through fat without overpowering delicate flavors. Roasted chicken is a natural match, as the beer's clean malt profile complements the savory skin without competing. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the German character of the hops and malt. A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette pairs naturally because the beer's herbal notes align with the brightness of the dressing. Mild washed-rind cheeses are a good fit, where the carbonation and dryness balance the cheese's richness.
Style Guide
German Pilsener is a pale, bottom-fermented lager that originated in northern Germany and diverged from its Bohemian cousin by leaning drier, more attenuated, and more aggressively bitter. Where Czech Pilsner tends toward a rounder, fuller malt body, the German version emphasizes a lean, clean profile with pronounced hop bitterness — typically using noble varieties like Hallertau or Saaz — and a bone-dry finish. ABVs generally fall in the 4.5–5% range, though session interpretations exist. The style rewards technical brewing precision, as there's little malt sweetness or yeast complexity to mask off-flavors.