Alfa Edel Pils

Uncle Bob says most of the best Dutch beers come from the south of the country, and so naturally enough, the first beer in our marathon tasting at the weekend was from the Alfa Brewery in Limburg.

Alfa Edel Pils is a good pilsner. It’s slightly yeasty and creamy -- reminding me of Almaza Pilsner, strangely -- but there’s a lot going on here besides. It’s hoppier and even a bit herby. Lavender?

Bob finds fruity notes in the throat after swallowing. “Not an aftertaste on the tongue”, he says, “but something farther back.”

It’s a good start.