Not sure whether pilsner has anything to do with gangs and tommy guns, but Atwater Brewery in Detroit is only a few blocks from one of the hangouts of the infamous gang. Stories abound about the gang in Detroit and one of the residences of at least some of the members is alleged to have been in Parkstone, on the city’s near east side. When I drink Purple Gang Pilsner it is for three reasons. One, it is refreshing and delicious and has that buttery aftertaste that Pilsner’s bring. Two, it makes me think of Tigers Baseball and summer. And three: Atwater’s tap room is the closest microbrewery to beautiful Belle Isle. That third reason is important, because after an arduous cycling workout on Belle Isle, you can literally ride into the tap room on your bike, park it by a huge vat or compressor and have a well earned cold one. Oh yeah, there is one more reason. My great uncle Reggie used to live just down the street on Atwater.
The brewery’s website, www.atwaterbeer.com, says the pilsner is brewed in the strict German tradition; its light, malty sweetness yields to the fine aroma and flavor of the noble Tettnang hops. Beer Advocate rates this pilsner at 74, which is in their Okay and Try It range of the overall score of the beer. The rating goes from 0-100. Its ABV is 5.5 percent.
— Rick Blanchard
