It’s a given: beer and music go together famously. Back in the eighties, I used to love to listen to music late into the night, all the while enjoying a few (OK, sometimes more than a few) of my favorite brews. As much fan as I had in those days, I could never imagine the music and beer pairings that exist today.

Lagunitas, for example, has named a number of beers after Frank Zappa albums, including Freak Out Ale and We're Only in it for the Money. Just to name a few. More recently, Diamond Knot Brewing launched Whip Ale a beer dedicated to Michael Whip Wilton of Queensryche.

That brings us to the beer under consideration today, Sierra Nevada Foam Pilsner. Foam Pilsner is a draft only brew specially brewed for the rock band Phish. Sierra Nevada has brewed this beer in the past exclusively for the band’s Phish festivals, but for 2012 Foam Pilsner is receiving a broader release, albeit still draft only.

Given the rarity of the beer, I was elated to see it on the “just in” section of the tap menu at the Windward Parkway location of Taco Mac. Better yet, the beer was an extremely reasonable $5 for a pint (or 20 ounces in my case). I ordered one up posthaste and it arrived at my table in no time.

Sierra Nevada Foam Pilsner pours to a deep golden color with a thick head of rocky foam, but could we expect any less from a beer called Foam? A wonderful aroma of fresh biscuit malt and grassy hops wafted from the glass to my nose.

Taking a sip, I found a truly luscious German style pils in Foam. Indeed, the beer bursts with crisp biscuity malt underneath, then some minty grassy hop aroma, and finally an aggressive long dry finish with a sharp lingering bitterness. Think Jever or Prima Pils if you will.

The freshness of this beer really came through wonderfully, and I found it truly delightful. It’s an interesting departure from the usual Sierra Nevada Pacific hop profile as well. The bitter hop finish stood up nicely to a plate of Taco Mac Three Mile Island wings.

Someday, perhaps Sierra Nevada will bottle this one. Until then, I’d suggest you keep on Phishing until you find it.

Recommended: Yes