It’s not often I’m lost for words, but with Garage Project’s Phantasm Pilsner, it took me a long time to work out how to express what I was tasting. And all I can think is to describe it as “concentrated” flavour. Like if you’re making cordial and you use too much syrup for the amount of water. But it’s also like what truffle is to mushroom: kind of the same but just more intense. To know what you’re getting it’s worth reading up on Phantasm, which is made from Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grapes and delivers a bit hit of flavour compounds known as thiols. It takes familiar Nelson Sauvin hop flavours and makes them more dense, focused, pungent and ripe. For some people the flavour crunch in this pilsner might be too overpowering for the style, but I loved the intensity that punched through. With the 5.8 per cent ABV, this definitely drinks more like a New Zealand style IPA, which is no bad thing. And it’s a great way to experience what Phantasm does.
