Afternoon Beer Break: Left Hand Brewing 1265

Today’s beer is one I waited a long time to get around to reviewing. Why? Well, we can blame the pandemic for that. When my office shut down, there were still a few packages arriving there – and this one, from Left Hand, was one that languished a bit. So, once I was able to get it, I was curious as to how the Left Hand Brewing 1265 would handle the unintended aging.

Well, I won’t bury the lede – this is one pilsner that survived the extra-long storage just fine. Pouring it into the glass, you’ve got that lovely straw coloring, and you get mild scent on the nose. For the taste, I was surprised to get a small hit of sweetness at first on the tongue, though that settles down quite nicely into your standard pilsner.

That’s not faint praise. Many breweries get known for a particular style or hook. For instance, Left Hand is all about those milk stouts, and getting nitro into the mix. When they are able to deliver on another style that doesn’t allow the process to hide behind adjuncts and the like, then you know what’s going on in the brewery. Here, with the Left Hand Brewing 1265, you can tell that this is a crew that knows what they’re doing when they brew up a long-time standard style.

So, while we all love those nitro milk stouts, grilling weather is here, and if you’re like me, you’ll want something lighter to be an accompaniment to your grille time (and meal) and not overpower things. If that’s you as well, I’d say to keep an eye out for the Left Hand Brewing 1265 next time you’re in the shop. lefthandbrewing.com

Details from Left Hand Brewing

Light bready malts reminiscent of a freshly baked baguette. Delicate hop notes of citrus with a subtle spicy character. A tribute to a traditional pilsner with just a touch of lager sweetness. Crisp, lively and brewed for high repeat enjoyment, 1265 is named in honor of 1265 Boston Ave. Our home for your beer since 1993.