Olde Mecklenburg Captain Jack Pilsner
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with fresh, grassy hops and a clean, slightly sulfuric lager note that's characteristic of German brewing tradition. On the palate, firm but restrained bitterness balances a light-to-medium malt backbone with subtle cracker and dough character. The body is lean without being thin, and the finish is dry and hop-forward, lingering just long enough to invite another sip. It's a well-attenuated lager that stays true to the northern German pilsner template.
About the Brewery
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was founded in 2009 by John Marrino. The brewery built its reputation on German-style lagers at a time when the Southeast craft scene was heavily IPA-focused, which made them something of an outlier — and earned them a loyal following. Their facility includes a biergarten, and their commitment to lager-forward brewing using traditional German methods remains their defining characteristic.
Food Pairings
A dry, bitter German pilsner like this works well with a bratwurst or grilled pork sausage because the hop bitterness cuts through the fat cleanly. Soft pretzels with mustard are a natural match, as the malt backbone mirrors the bread character while the bitterness keeps things from getting heavy. Lighter fried foods — schnitzel, fish and chips — benefit from the beer's dryness acting as a palate reset between bites. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette also pairs well, the acidity in the dressing echoing the beer's dry, bitter finish.
Style Guide
German Pilsener — sometimes spelled Pilsner or Pils — is a pale, bottom-fermented lager defined by pronounced hop bitterness, a dry finish, and a lean malt profile. It originated in Bohemia in the 1840s but the northern German interpretation, which this style category covers, is notably drier and more aggressively hopped than its Czech cousin. Where Czech pilsners tend toward a rounder, softer malt character, German Pilsener prioritizes attenuation and bitterness, typically using noble hop varieties like Hallertau or Tettnang. ABV generally falls in the 4.5–5.2% range, keeping the beer light-bodied without sacrificing flavor.