Beer - #641 - Breda - Royal Beer / Lager

A beer I drink with trepidation. Odd beer, Odd music, odd numbers and odd one out.

..a beer brewed by everyone and no one wants to own it....

500ml can of beer 5% ABV, so 150 calories a serve size,

For United Dutch Breweries this is brewed at Randalls in the style that is Pale Lager and they're in Breda, Netherlands

Brewed by Oranjeboom, Rotterdam (Netherlands) until the early 90’s.

After the closing of Oranjeboom production was moved to Breda (Netherlands).

[caption id="attachment_11567" align="alignright" width="300"] Trepidation....[/caption]

This brewery was called Verenigde Bierbrouwerijen Breda-Rotterdam at that time and soon to be renamed to Oranjeboom Brouwerij.

The Breda Royal brand however always still mentioned United Dutch Breweries (which translates to Verenigde Brouwerijen). On closing of Oranjeboom Brouwerij, Breda in 2004 by InBev production was moved to both Bremen and Leuven. Until 2008 when Randalls acquired the licence. Some production is also done at Hofbrauhaus Wolters (under the name Getränkeindustrie Altewiek).

So what could possibly go wrong?

Smells like a lager. That is all.

Pale is an orange golden, it looks quite nice, and has a decent head, all the things you look for in a beer.

Unmistakable malt euro lager with a rather interesting if not odd sweetness that is a bit plastic and uncomfortably perfume like.

But it is just a euro lager \ malt lager like so many others, differentiated only in small degrees from another, and often not by that much.

It is cold, but it isn't crisp, there is no 'bite' to it, and it is mostly inoffensive quaffing beer for the person with a thirst and not much by way of discernment in the moment.

Nicer though than the 3 horses, by quite a way.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 4 of its things from the thing. It isn't an average drink, it's below that but it's not awful. I don't think I'd be reaching for this even at the price it is, it isn't worth it.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? Not really, it's flavoured water.
Would I have another? Not if I could help it.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No.

Music for this

I'm listening to ' The Hunts ' and Indie Folk band, which I though for a moment might have been a Mumford and Sons tribute band,  They have an album  '  Those Younger Days '  listen here on the Spotify 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MywXY6Q21LM

I can't honestly say that I enjoyed it, it was a bit twee and after the M&S over-exposure the last few years it might not be a wise sound to pursue. Each to their own though, it made a change and a challenge.

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you’ll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #638 - Breda - 3 Horses

This really does appear to be an orphan child of a beer. Which never ends well. Free beer, Free Music, free numbers thinking and freedom from the crowd.

500ml can of beer 5% ABV, so 150 calories a serve size, so 2 standard drink units.

For United Dutch Breweries this is brewed at InBev Belgium in the style that is  Pale Lager and they're in Breda, Netherlands

[caption id="attachment_11539" align="alignleft" width="300"] I'm trying not to laugh but frown[/caption]

Brewed by Oranjeboom, the Netherlands until 2004.......

The can has "Imported" at least 9 times on the can, so I'm guessing it's an export beer.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Aroma is a bit MIA.

Pour is pale and there is a head that starts well and just fades away to less, more than a film though. Aroma is trying to be that more hoppy grassy thing that is familiar of lager.

Taste is of a sweet malt base lager, almost over sweet and cloyingly so. Not much by way of body, and it leaves a rather metallic mouth feel as a linger.

I've had some average beers, even recently, and this sets a new bar, so low.  It is tasteless sugary water with some token flavour tossed in.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 1 of its things from the thing. I have nothing good to say about this, and unlike some other everyman this is so nondescript that exporting it to another country is a way of offloading it onto unsuspecting punters who will pay next to nothing and complain. but never see it again as it does the rounds of the markets. A shocker.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? No
Would I have another? No
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No

Music for this " Wilco "   an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The album " Star Wars "  of course on the Spotify  or it's a free download for a limited time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JYeg3XKpUY

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you’ll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #620 - Obolon - Strong

Obolon Mitsne - a Strong beer, strong music, strong with numbers and strong turnouts

 A cup of this beer will be appropriate during cold periods of the year.

500ml bottle of  a beer of 7.21% ABV, 219 calories a serve size, this bottle would be 2.8 standard drink units equivalent.

Brewed by Obolon in the style that is of an Imperial Pils/Strong Pale Lager and the are in  Kiev, Ukraine

Strong beer with a harmony of bitter hops and light taste.

[caption id="attachment_11297" align="alignleft" width="300"] Strong like animal.....[/caption]

The uniqueness of the recipe of this light beer lies in the fact that besides traditional ingredients such as barley malt, hops and water, Obolon Strong contains maltose syrup.

This gives the beer a pleasant light taste, sufficient alcohol content and fewer carbohydrates at the same time.

A cup of this beer will be appropriate during cold periods of the year.

So what could go wrong with that?

Stronger harsher hop malt aroma on opening.  Pour is a darker yellow golden and a decent and lovely head.  The aroma is more of hops though, it's quite inviting, as Lager beers go.

That has a much stronger deep depth of favour and taste than the premium, like they banged a bunch of malts into in. Very rewarding and makes it quite the enjoyable beer, for what it is.

The major problem though, should it be a problem, is that for a slightly higher alcohol beer this is deceptively easy drinking, and a couple of these might see you sleeping in awkward places.

So, a slightly hoppy beer, but without that hop bite or edge, a really sold sweet backbone and nothing by way of awkwardly dry or bitter finishes, and there is a sort of sweet malty mouthfeel linger.

in conclusion,  sometimes you can get bulk and substance in a glass, I'm pretty sure this was at the lower price point for beers, and you get a lot of bang for the buck.

Oh and you get a great bottle. And I've ticked off another country where they make a beer without having to go there.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 6 of its things from the thing. This was quite nice really, it has a bunch of flavour and body that was missing from the 'premium' version, the only problem, should it be, is that this slightly higher in alcohol than is apparent in the drinking, which is very easy, verrry easy.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? I am, because it offers up a bit of a flavour.
Would I have another? I would, but I don't want to wake with a sore head and in an awkward place.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? unlike the 'premium' version I don't know that this is a polite to take to a party beer, it'll best you after a few and that never ends well.

Music for this, change up to 'Desaparecidos'  a band from Nebraska the have an album 'Payola' that you can of course listen as you please, how you please or even here on the Spotify.

This is 'City on the Hill'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ydyMWSUf8

hard not to enjoy their enthusiasm on this.

Strong Pale Lager/Imperial Pils

Most commonly found in Poland, but also in other European countries as well, especially the East. These are essentially stronger versions of pilsners, though the increased malt and alcohol will noticeably reduce the hop accent. Because these are usually all-malt, and comfortably hopped, they are easily distinguishable from malt liquors. Without the malt character of bocks, these are worthy of a style all their own. In the US, a similar idea has been derived and is usually called Imperial Pilsner.

Beer - #619 - Obolon - Premium

Ukraine! so exotic beer, exotic music, usual numbers and members of the party.

"It is highly stable beer with special freshness and saturation,  It has a distinct taste"

500ml bottle of beer of 5.5% ABV so about 156 calories a serve size, an there are the equivalent of 2 standard drinks in this bottle

Brewed by Obolon in the style that is of a  Pale Lager and they are in Kiev, Ukraine

[caption id="attachment_11292" align="alignright" width="300"] Wooly man drinks cold beer[/caption]

Especially refreshing and effervescent, high-stability beer with a pronounced taste and pleasant bitterness. In addition to traditional ingredients, rice is used in the production of Obolon Premium.

This is one the most popular beer brands due to its mild taste and average solids content.

It has a distinct taste and nice bitterness.  Due to its soft flavour and medium content of solids Obolon Premium is one of the most popular beers.

So what could possibly go wrong?

Well it's in a lovely shaped and tactile bottle, which I'm always a fan of.

Gosh that's a strong aroma of hop and malt. Pour is a that lovely pale yellow, and there is a small white head of head, I'm doing well so far.

What can I tell you about a taste that isn't remarkable or different in a way that I can tell.

There is an overarching taste to this that has a lot of linger, that in itself is unusually pleasing, it is veering towards sweet.

Unremarkable, when they say mild taste they hit the nail on the head. I can imagine that this is popular because it's just cold quaffing beer.

And in the spirit of not saying anything if you can't say anything nice I'm done.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 5 of its things from the thing. There is nothing scary or daunting about this, there is nothing remarkable, unusual, different or quirky either, aside from the bottle which is lovely. You could hardly be offended if someone turned up with this, unless you like lager beer with a bit of a hop bite in there somewhere.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? It's quaffing beer, quaffing away nicely.
Would I have another? It would be easy not to have another, it's quaffing beer.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Possibly if it was bring something from somewhere I've never been and not likely to go to day.

Music for this, there's only two kinds of music.. Country and Western... but I digress... tonight though James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.

This is a track called "Today, Today, Today" from a new album 'Before this World.  Of course you can listen most of the places or here on Spotify 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zrqM85B5ik

It has crafted lyrics but is a bit muzak.

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you’ll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #616 - Asahi - Asahi Super Dry

Japan then, Asahi Super Dry, a beer more common,

Fresh, crisp and clear - with a sharp delivery that slakes thirst before slipping gently on.

Slightly odd sized 633ml bottle of 5%ABV beer, 16 IBU things, that would be 150 calories a serve size and this would then be 2.5 standard drinks in NZ.

Brewed by Asahi Breweries  in the style that is  Pale Lager and they are in Tokyo, Japan

[caption id="attachment_11268" align="alignright" width="300"] Super smooth guy drinks super dry beer[/caption]

With its refreshing barley flavor and crisp aftertaste, Asahi Super Dry is by far the most popular high-quality beer in Japan.

Since its debut in 1987 as Japan’s first dry beer, it has continued to improve the taste and excitement of beer.

Its taste has set a new standard that is acknowledged around the world today.

So they talk it up, and what could possibly go wrong?

Hop bitter malt lager aroma op opening.

Pale golden pour with a nice fluffy white head. The familiar malt lager aroma.

Defiantly probably not a beer to drink super cold this exhibits none of the taste things that you might enjoy in a pale lager, lack or hop roughness or bite, nothing dry on the finish, and I thought that it was unnecessarily sweet.

It's hard to imagine a blander beer. Except it really isn't, this is so familiar as stock-standard domestic no offence coloured alcohol water.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 5  of its things from the thing. It is average and beige. It scores average because it isn't trying to be anything other than what it is.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? No
Would I have another? No
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No.

Music for this 'Heartless Bastards'  an American garage rock band. from Cincinnati, Ohio. This is 'Gates of Dawn' from their new album 'Restless Ones'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_T6R00Sqtc

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you’ll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #604 - Harbin - Harbin

To China, and a beer of many labels, this one a 2014 FIFA version. I'm sure it's still fresh though, right?

Two-row malt, European and Chinese “Qindao Dahua” hops, rice, and German yeast

This is a 500ml bottle of a beer that is 3.6% ABV, making this 1.42 standard drink units,  and that would be 144 ish calories a serve size

Brewed by Harbin Beer Company (AB InBev) in the style: Pale Lager and they are in Harbin, China

Harbin Beer, the earliest Chinese beer, brewed in 1900 in the origin of the beer industry in China.

[caption id="attachment_11113" align="alignright" width="300"] I look happier than I probably will be[/caption]

With hundred years of infusion of China’s traditional culture Harbin Beer brings a pure good taste.

Inspired by the Tradition and Culture of China’s Most Northern Province of Hellongjiang.

and so then, what could possibly go wrong?

I picked this up at the local bottle shop, small place, caters to a different audience, or a more specific audience perhaps, and I couldn't resist, and possibly a place to visit again, my overall aim of course to drink beer anyone can buy not just the craft wizardry, but then also to be as honest as I can be,

Malt lager aroma, which is no surprise on opening.

Really is pale yellow on pouring and it has a small head, the carbonation indicate that it could have had more, if only I was better as the pouring thing.

It's quite harshly dry hop bitter is my first impression, and that it doesn't have a lot of substance. It's not sour or sweet it's kind of a bit nothing really. First impressions are not reliable, it wasn't dry, hoppy or bitter.

Had a promise of hops, didn't eventuate, aroma indicated a bit of malts, wasn't there, and this is disappointing in it's lack of pretty much anything.

That said, and being honest this possibly isn't for an international audience, or market, where I'm sure it's as successful as any domestic  lager beer you could name from Bud to Tuborg.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 4 (below average) of of its things from the thing. Apart from a sweetish taste there is nothing in the taste profile of this to write home about, it is a lower ABV beer, and these things happen. I'm not disappointed though, at least there were a few pin pricks of taste sensation to at least make the whole drinkable.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? I'm not hating it.
Would I have another? IF I had to drink another I don't think it would be a tragedy, I wouldn't pay cash money for another though.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Depends on if I liked them or not :-)

Music for this, Left-field, cosmopolitain pop/rock&soul band 'Zulu Pearls', I believe from Berlin, this album "Singles Deluxe"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-djXHbVHlkU

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you’ll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #568 - Harrington's - The East Indies Lager

Lager, Larger, Largest, Large!

A clean refreshing lager, moderately hopped.

The 500ml bottle of beer, that is 5% ABV, 150 calories a serve size, making this about 1.97 standard drink units.

Brewed by Harringtons Breweries (Christchurch), this one in the style that is good old Pale Lager and they do that in Christchurch, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10706" align="alignleft" width="300"] Lager Lout![/caption]

Brewed using only the finest natural ingredients. The result is a smooth Indian lager that is the perfect beer to enjoy with spicy foods.

East Indies is batched brewed to the authentic style of an East Indian beer. Amber in colour, full in flavour light on the palate with a hop edge to compliment a dry finish. We love it, and know you will too.

What could possibly go wrong?

Nothing exciting on opening, aroma is standard lager type aroma, slightly green slightly sour.

Extremely pale pour, with a lovely head, well carbonated. Aroma moves to something more peppery.

Not as much 'bite' as you get with some lager offerings.

It is then for all intents and purpose a stock standard beer, of which I can't think of anything to say, good or bad.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as  6  of its things from the thing. It's just un-inspiring and a bit bland.

It's missing the soft fully full mouthfeel, it's missing the hop bite, it's missing that grassy under-note.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes, despite it being a bit run-of-the-mill


2. Would I have another? Possibly, it's a bulk over substance beer.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Beer for beer, dollar for dollar, nom you'd embarrass me with something you had in your fridge, similar but a bit different.

Note: I was provided this beer by the brewer to try and review, without catches,  this is 1 of 12 should wonder about the sudden love of a brewer out of the blue. 

It's time for a bit of Seasick Steve's who has a new album “Sonic Soul Surfer” -  listen here

This is "Summer Time Boy" Bit of Blues never hurt anyone. Especially good Blues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq0PmDhkb4c

 

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you’ll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

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Beer - #564 - DB - Export Gold

DB Export Gold. Everyman beer. One of the very common and readily available domestic beers in NZ, cans, stubbies and quarts.

In 1960 Morton Coutts discovered the Holy Grail of beer, continuous fermentation. 

A process that unlike batch-brewing, meant once the brewing started the beer literally never stopped flowing. The process was adopted by the rest of the World

745ml bottle, a Quart, of beer that is 4% ABV, 120 calories a serve size, this bottle is 2.35 standard drink units. This beer is brewed so that 1 standard drink (330ml) = 1 standard drink units, in NZ. In the US this bottle would be 1.68 drink units. I work it out here.

Brewed by DB Breweries (Asia Pacific Breweries-Heineken) in the style that is a  Pale Lager and they do that in Auckland, New Zealand

[caption id="attachment_10675" align="alignright" width="300"] Everyman![/caption]

A golden lager characterised by a pleasant, slightly fruity flavour with a clean, crisp finish.

Made using only the finest New Zealand hops, barley and pure spring water, it is perhaps New Zealand’s freshest and most refreshing beer. Export gold is best served ice cold to enhance its drinkability and refreshing flavours.

You know how this ends.

Despite this being domestic mass produced it isn't all bad. Sure it's one dimensional and doesn't offer up much by ay of interesting aroma, bite, finish or linger, it does offer up refreshing, crisp and quaffable. An everyman beer.

Pour is really pale yellow, and the head is white and present, it does at least look decent. It's taste is also pretty consistent, as you'd expect. There are of course the beer snobs who turn their nose that this, which is ok if they want to, but I've had 'craft' beer that makes this like nectar.

Malt aroma dominates, to be honest, it's a beer aroma that is familiar the world over.

Bitterness level is quite high, but at that comfortable level, a drink that reminds you you are drinking 'not water'.

It's not a craft beer, it's not a batch beer, it's science and the industrial method of producing beer.

A product the have down pat. Again the 'craft beer'  tag is missing, by a country mile, but that's not really the point of this.

So why include it? Well it's a beer you can buy, or have a reasonable chance of buying is why it's included, not just for comedy content.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 5 a of its things from the thing. Despite talking it up it is at the end of the bottle a bit average and stop-gap. Quaffing flavoured water that keeps you occupied between goes at the Oche or Pool table.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? It's ok, it has its place


2. Would I have another? I would at the right time.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? If we've been busy doing something, say digging a pool, or putting up a fence or some other labour then this wouldn't be the worst thing you could reach for. Would I bring it to a soiree, doubt it.

Music came on, I've been catching up with Breaking Bad, and so this.

Quartetto Cetra - Crapa Pelada (1945)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9VIutG9GXg

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you’ll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #556 - Garage Project - Hops on Pointe - a redux

Ballet beer, Ballet Music, Pas de Deux, and post opera party.

Beer and ballet – the perfect Pas de Deux. Brewed by Garage Project for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. 

Available at all good barres.

I have 1 litre, FYO from the growler station,  bottle of a 6.7% ABV beer, making it about  5.29 standard drink units, and 201 calories a serve size.

Garage Project Hops on Pointe - a beer for the New Zealand Ballet. Brewed by Garage Project In the style of a Premium Lager and they do that in a garage in Wellington, New Zealand, probably.

[caption id="attachment_10568" align="alignleft" width="300"] The face of a man about to...[/caption]

Brewed with premium German malts, Nelson Sauvin hops and finished with champagne yeast, the result is a pale gold lager with a crisp, clean palate, rich tropical fruit aromas and tight champagne bubbles forming a dense white head of foam. 

Hops on Pointe was originally brewed to celebrate the world’s first ‘Beer Ballet’ called Bier Halle that Royal New Zealand Ballet are staging.

Saison hops promise much, and champagne yeast should make it light.  What could possibly go wrong?

This does have the familiar aroma of Sauvin hops, they're sort of passion fruit and soft.

Pour is nice, the light yellow beer pours with a small but persistent white head of foam, doesn't look overly carbonated in the glass though.

Drinking it, well it's been a while. This is hop forward the grassiness and bitter bite up front are not all just up front, they have a bit of carry in them, and finish and linger. Added to this the lovely soft mouthfeel in the middle, it is quite clever.

Like a pilsner like no other. Well probably. Well possibly. Well nice though. This does have that nice pilsner thing going on, you know the hop bite, but it's really dialled up elsewhere so that the overall seems to be everything is dialled down. It isn't.

And, I might add, at 6.7% ABV this is beer that needs some attention, because too many might see you doing the wobbly leg walk later.

I remember that in the bottle I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, the idea that you could toss in a champagne yeast and it would somehow make a difference. I was wrong then and I still am.

The most surprising thing is the easy drinking, and despite the lingering this is still just a bit moorish, as my now empty glass attests.  Lucky for me however I have more! Get in!

The only doubt then is that the tall hops overshadow what might be a nice sweetness of aromatic fruits, like passionfruit, or lemons or whathaveyou, making this more a lager than anything. Countering that is the high-isn level of sweetness that this has.

A beer that has it's fans, and detractors, mostly positive though, I enjoyed re-visiting this when it came back around, now in cans too, clearly a winning combination.  A sort of beer for a thinking drinker, because you know that 'premium lager' or 'pilsner' is a dime a dozen. And sometimes that is their cost. this though a beer that pushes that and really works on that style.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8.5 a of its things from the thing. It is remarkably consistent for beer I had almost two years ago, and has much the same effect on me, in some ways. Reading that last time I was a bit more enthusiastic in places than I am now. This does seem much more hop-forward and less cushioned by sweetness than it did. It is still however a bit good.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I really am.


2. Would I have another? I really would, and I am.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I'd hate to disappoint you by not brining one around to yours to watch you imbibe and wax lyrical. I'd happily try this to convert a 'domestic' lager drinker into a new wonderful world of beer with more than one taste sensation, a drink for more than just drinking.

Music player settles on Young Statues an American indie-rock band from Philadelphia

This is "Run The River Dry"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPUPLIyIO_4&spfreload=10

Unlike the beer this is a bit all over the place, some of it interesting, some of it a bit over worked and under thought. I did listen though, it was great background to a beer, and a soundtrack to the sportsball

PREMIUM LAGER

A beer that straddles between the mainstream Pale Lager and Pilsner. Not all beers that call themselves Premium Lager are, but those that are will typically have a deep gold to light bronze colour, and distinct influence of malt and hops. They should be free of adjuncts and will have a softer carbonation than Pale Lager or Classic German Pilsner.IBUs will typically range in the 20’s, and lagering times will typically be 4-6 weeks, more in line with what pilsners have. Overall accent will be malty-to-balanced, alcohol in a slightly tighter range than either Pale Lager or Pilsner (4.5-5.5%). Most often the product of a microbrewery or brewpub, but macrobreweries can make this style if they jack up the hops a bit and make it all-malt.

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• Beer - #159 - Garage Project - Hops on Pointe

Beer - #547 - Menabrea - 1846

Brief beer, brief songs, brief maths, an a brief gathering.

A well-balanced beer with a marked floral fruitiness coming through from the aromatic yeasts used in its production

Menabrea - 1846 is brewed by Menabrea (Forst) in the style that is a Pale Lager and they are in Biella, Italy

This is a 330ml bottle that has beer of 4.8% ABV making it 144 calories a serve, so 1.25 standard drink units.

[caption id="attachment_10442" align="alignright" width="300"] Man needs a shave[/caption]

Menabrea is a light, delicately balanced lager with fruity flavor and aroma of dry grass and citrus. Birra Menabrea is Italy's oldest brewery.

The award-winning brewery is located in the small town of Biella in northern Italy where it is run by fourth generation.

A well-balanced beer with a marked floral fruitiness coming through from the aromatic yeasts used in its production.

Pale yellow appearance; moderately light bodied; mild bitterness.

Italian beer, what could go wrong? Plus a new cap for the collection jar.

That just smell like malt lager type beer. Pour is golden, head is fleeting. Look nice in the glass though decent carbonation.

I don't think there would be any surprises if I now say that on tasting that this tastes like your standard average European Lager type drink. High malt and low hops as a characteristic.

Oh and some of that biscuit thing going on. Nothing unpleasant and at the same time nothing unusual or different.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a 5  of its things from the thing. It is nothing to write home about, has nothing that sets it apart or aside from similar beers of the style, it's just easy drinking no frills beer.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? It isn't spectacular, and it's nice for what it is, if what you wanted was cold liquid. If I was setting up for a special night in this would be a bit tragic.


2. Would I have another? I might if I was thirsty and this was in the fridge as thing, I wouldn't ask for another.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Not really. There are other better beers of the style around that would bear up better under robust conversation than this.

Musically, I started to listen to Steely Dan, and the album 'AJA' Aja is the sixth album by the jazz rock band Steely Dan. Originally released in 1977. I Was younger this was quite edgy then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck1N1I-LzWc

Donald Fagen, and the Album "the NightFly" remains a favourite.

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesn't vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you'll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #527 - Hinano - Hinano

Old World Beer, Old Music, Old numbers and Old mates gathering.

"...satisfies the most demanding connoisseur..."

Hinano - what can I tell you, from a place I've never been or likely to ever get to, unless I get the next 6 numbers in the lottery draw, and if that happens you'd be invited.

Brewed by La Brasserie de Tahiti (Heineken) This is in the style that they call : Pale Lager and they happens in tropical and out of reach Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

[caption id="attachment_10212" align="alignright" width="300"] small beer[/caption]

A 330 ml bottle of a beer that is  5% ABV,  making it 1.3 standard drinks

Brewed in Tahiti since 1955, using only the finest ingredients from Northern Europe, Hinano satisfies the most demanding connoisseurs with its freshness and quality.

What could go wrong.

Unmistakable aroma of  malt lager, really quite loud.

It is pale yellow, but not as pale as some that I've had, head is decent and easy to achieve and it seems persistent.

It's cold, it has a familiar bite of lagers, but there isn't a lot of it, finish is ok, although bizarrely I thought pepper. Who knows.

Cut to the chase with this, it's a stock-standard lager is what it is.

Nothing to see here move along.

You've all tasted this and its like.

Crisp, clean, some bite but not much, looks nice in the glass, drinks ok.

I'd be happy with this if I was Tahiti.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 of its things from the thing.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes it's not all bad.


2. Would I have another? Yes I'd be happy to have another.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yes, it looks exotic, tastes domestic.

I like "The National" and was listening to their 4th Album "The Boxer" This track "Mistaken For Strangers"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgRsYkKb1eI

The National are an American indie rock, the later work, for me, picks up on the production and emphasis falls on the tone and vocals more, they're very good.

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or youll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #462 - Tiger - Tiger Beer

So another of the more accessible beers - this one Tiger beer, available in supermarkets, and in restaurants that want to offer "authenticness" to their menu, as a representative beer. I'll admit to buying a few on my travels.

Beer from Singapore then. I checked it's not a locally made under licence version, this is important to me.

640Ml Giant bottle (1pt 5.6fl oz) . 5% ABV, 150 calories a serve and about 2.5 standard drink units in NZ

[caption id="attachment_9484" align="alignright" width="300"] Tyger Tyger burning bryte[/caption]

Brewed by Singapore Brewery (Asia Pacific Breweries-Heineken) in the style that is  Pale Lager and they are in Singapore, Singapore

Brewed in Singapore since 1932, Tiger Beer is a full-flavored, pilsner-style golden lager with a slightly sweet note and an amazingly clean finish.

2010 World Beer Cup Gold Medal (international style lager).

Again what could go wrong..

Beer - #461 - Tsingtao - Tsingtao

A bit of a quick comedy run of cheaper more accessible beers (i.e. from a supermarket). This one Tsingtao. Beer from China.

In a gigantic bottle format: 640ml, and it's 4.7% ABV, so about 144 calories a serve, this is 2.37 standard drink units in NZ equivalent.

Brewed by Tsingtao Brewery, in the Style of a  Premium Lager and they are in Qinqdao, China

Tsingtao Beer has a pleasant aroma and a well-balanced taste. It has high-malty flavor and well-hopped character.

[caption id="attachment_9479" align="alignleft" width="300"] I'm shying away from this[/caption]

Tsingtao is produced with spring water from Laoshan, a mountain area famous throughout China for the purity of its water.

The domestically-grown hops used to brew Tsingtao are of such high quality that they are also exported to European breweries.

Tsingtao also uses the finest yeast and barley imported from Australia and Canada in its brewing process.

Tsingtao Beer has a pleasant aroma and a well-balanced taste. It has high-malty flavor and well-hopped character. Tsingtao is produced with spring water from Laoshan, a mountain area famous throughout China for the purity of its water. The domestically-grown hops used to brew Tsingtao are of such high quality that they are also exported to European breweries. Tsingtao also uses the finest yeast and barley imported from Australia and Canada in its brewing process.

This is fairly commonly available in Restaurants  too and is often picked for "Authenticness", like "Kingfisher" or "Tiger" might be for instance.

Beer - #477 - Bachata - Bachata Rum Beer

Despite everything wrong with this I'm going to attempt to drink a Bachata.

" ’’Ba-cha-ta’’ Finest quality lager blended with a dash of golden rum to create an exciting new flavoured beer." 

Made by Flagship Brands, brewed at SHS Drinks and in the style that is  Pale Lager this hails from Manchester, England, not a million miles, literally, from Cuba.

Thankfully a small bottle 330ml, 159 calories in total for a 5.5% ABV beer, this makes it a bout 1.43 standard drink units in NZ

Premium lager blended with golden rum, a touch of vanilla and a hint of orange zest to create a

[caption id="attachment_9475" align="alignright" width="300"] That is a full frown[/caption]

delicious new 5.3% flavoured beer.

Bachata is a style of music based on Cuban salsa with Afro-Caribbean rhythms.

Bachata beer was inspired by Alvaro, a Cuban musician who travelled the world jammin' with Latin bands and partying at every opportunity.

Alvaro enjoyed a few drinks after the gigs, but often disappointed with the local lagers, he would flavour the beer with a slug of his favourite rum and a wedge of orange.

Bachata beer contains genuine Cuban rum.

Serve chilled with a slice of fresh orange and taste the real spirit of Cuba

Orange slice in my beer. I'll give it a go what's the worst that can happen

Beer - #448 - Lucky Beer - Lucky Buddha

I kid you not this is  called Lucky Beer- Lucky Buddha. It even has a unique and amusing bottle, in the shape of a Buddha. Because China! Because Beer! Because cheap :-)

[caption id="attachment_9322" align="alignleft" width="300"] I win the beer in a comedy bottle comp[/caption]

For the Lucky Drink Company this is brewed at Cheerday Hangzhou Qiandaohu Beer Co. and they give it a crack in the Style that is  Pale Lager Used to be brewed in Australia now it's in China.

4.8% ABV beer that is 144 calories a serve, and the bottle is 330 ml, so about 1.2 standard drink units in NZ.

Light aromas of hops with nuances of honey & malt, which pre-announces the transcending flavours across your palate with a silky easy finish.

What could possibly go wrong.....

Beer - #431 - Garage Project - Beer

It's called simply "Beer". In a can.

Brewed by Garage Project this one in the style that is Pale Lager and they are in Wellington, New Zealand

330ml can, 4.8% ABV and 1.25 standard drink units in NZ. around 140 calories in this.

It couldn’t be simpler.

Pilsner malt, Saaz hops and Czech yeast. That’s it.

Sometimes simple is exactly what you want.

Why bother dressing it up?

It is what it is.

Beer.

Garage Project are good at the edges and not so flash in the middle, so not a lot of hope  in this, but I'm sure it'll be passable.

Beer - #413 - Ochakovo - Stolichnoe Double Gold

Da! Ochakovo Stolichnoe Double Gold,  MrsPdubyah thought she was being nice and brought me this from the supermarket, and what finer an example of Russian beer than that which is a  Lager Beer.

Brewed by Ochakovo in the style that is Premium Lager and they are based in Moscow, Russia

Russian Lager!!!

Funky bottle  contains 500ml  of a beer that is 5.5%, 165 calories a serve, and 2.17 stand drink units - Боялся, что будет ужас-ужас. 

" Двойное золотое» необычный сорт пива - пиво «с телом». Плотность 13% и содержание алкоголя 5,5% обеспечивают пиву интенсивный солодовый вкус и крепость вкупе с приятной бодрящей горечью. Особенная горчинка, присущая марке «Двойное золотое», достигается применением уникальных сортов хмеля. Его эфирные масла наполняют пиво ярким и оригинальным ароматом. Пиво имеет также необычный янтарный цвет с золотисто-каштановым отливом "

[caption id="attachment_8888" align="alignleft" width="300"] Selfie фото[/caption]

"Double Gold" unusual beer - beer "with the body." Density of 13% and 5.5% alcohol content beer provide intense malt flavor and strength, coupled with a nice crisp bitterness. Special bitterness inherent in the brand "Double Gold" is achieved by using unique varieties of hops. Its essential oils fill the beer bright and original flavor.

Beer is also unusual amber color with golden chestnut hue."

So Comrades lets begin!

Beer - #320 - Premium Cristal (Peru)

Hahaha yes, Peru!

This is Brewed by Backus y Johnston (SABMiller) in thes tyle of a Pale Lager and they are in Lima, Peru

330ml bottle of a 5% ABV beer, making it about 1.2 standard drink in NZ. 150 calories a serve.

Brewed since 1921, Cristal is Peru’s No. 1 selling beer, combining a light-bodied liquid with strong Andean imagery. It has been the No. 1 selling U.S. import from South America over the last eight years, primarily appealing to the approximately one million Peruvian consumers in the U.S.

If nothing it's another cap in the beer jar (ask me about it later)..

That sourish malty aroma, nothing spectacular, pours pale yellow, and has a thin and persistent head.  Aroma is neither here nor there, and might remind you of stale beer.

Taste, is neutral, a little sweet carry on a nicely carbonated beer. Malty lager, typical of the type.  Not going to get you into poetic adoration, at least not about the beer, I'm sure more than one lovelorn episode has been enacted when a few of these have passed the lips.

This then is nothing offensive, nothing spectacular and nothing to wax lyrical about. But it is better than some pale lagers that you could pick up, really it is. It's not over-worked and does't have any metallic edges that I could detect.

So the pdubyah-o-meter rates this a competent 7 on the beer scale because of what it delivers, a refreshing, easy drinking beer that I actually enjoyed.

Waiting for the F1 to start so musically at the moment I'm listening to Beck

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIWbgR4vYiw&w=560&h=315]

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or youll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

 

Beer - #303 - Gösser - Gösser Beer (Export)

A Can. A gift. Gösser Beer (Export). It's been sulking at the back of the fridge for ages.

Brewed by Gösser (Brau Union) in the style of a Pale Lager and I'm being all continental because they're in Leoben, Austria

A 500ml can, 5.2% ABV which is about 2.02 standard drinks,  and this is 156 calories a serve.

[caption id="attachment_6654" align="alignright" width="300"] This can has lived in the fridge an bears many battle scars from being shuffled around at the back.[/caption]

This bottom fermented, light beer tickles the palates of beer-lovers around the world. Its aroma is mildly malty and its refreshingly sharp tang derives from balanced hopping

Is how they put it.

Even paler pour than the Zipfer beer, similar head but not as persistent. Aroma is again that earthy light thing.

Head dissipates quickly though, leaving a pale beer that looks under-carbonated.

Oddly ever less taste than other beers that I've had.

Mikey clearly had some intentions when he passed this on to me to try, and dare to write about. Cheers Mike.

Couple of things that might make this better. Splash of Lime, or a splash of lemonade making it a shandy.

Really this doesn't appear to have any redeeming features at all, which is possibly its redemption. They're not a local beer to NZ, so there must be some context.

If you're hunkering down at home  for sports-a-thon or at a party where you have to take something, usually so you can drink beer that someone else brought with them, and you want something inoffensive, and that everyone would be happy to drink then this is possibly a good choice.

For someone that enjoys a beer with a flavour then this isn't it. It might be a beer that has a place, and I can imagine a number of places where this would be beer that is served to the masses (I mentioned sports, perhaps also concerts).

For quaffing this is below average, for although there isn't a leading taste or a theme there is a taste that sits in the background thats just a little harsh and annoying, making you stop to think about the taste on the back of the palate. It's pretty persistent too.

So for that the pdubyah-o-meter says 5. A polite beer to keep in the fridge perhaps, or a four or six pack to take and leave some at a party. I wouldn't do that, but if I had to I would take and drink a couple, I might not be the happiest of people at the party but at least it's going to give you a buzz.

Related articles

• Beer - #302 - Zipfer - Pils

Beer - #159 - Garage Project - Hops on Pointe

Garage Project Hops on Pointe - a beer for the New Zealand Ballet. Brewed by Garage Project In the style of a Premium Lager and they do that in a garage in Wellington, New Zealand, probably.

Brewed with premium German malts, Nelson Sauvin hops and finished with champagne yeast, the result is a pale gold lager with a crisp, clean palate, rich tropical fruit aromas and tight champagne bubbles forming a dense white head of foam. 

Hops on Pointe is brewed to celebrate the world’s first ‘Beer Ballet’ called Bier Halle that Royal New Zealand Ballet are staging.

A 650ml bottle of a 6.7% ABV beer, making it about 3.7 standard drink units.  I get a sense that this is a very limited edition under this label, but I'm easily led.

Saison hops promise much, and champagne yeast should make it light. I hope this does not end up thin and 'meh' and fashionable amongst those that 'get' Ballet.

There's a lovely instant aroma, citrusy and hinting at light bitters.  Overly carbonated, very 'champagne' fizzy, pale yellow, thin but present head. Soft hoppy aroma, bit pine and wet grass. The aroma is also a bit passion fruit come to think of it.

The taste though is grassy or green hops, which remains the end taste. I'd hate to say it's 'the taste' but it does not define it or detract that this isn't all bad.

So, where are we?. This is a fairly muted drink. It's presentable and inoffensive by ay of dominant taste. It's a head and shoulder above 'commercial' lagers, (you know Stella, Heineken, Grolsch, Becks, or even Steinlager et al) and does not carry the roughness of the hops.

The presence of the hoppiness makes this a really pleasing lager, because the hopiness is part of the thing, not the thing. I could be in the first flush of love.

I've managed to drink a fair amount of this whilst musing on it, and I haven't yet changed my mind, I'd so buy this again.  As it warms the hops get more prevalent and you end up confused in the thinking as there are no citrus or other notes to maintain you in that this is a lager.

The pdubyah-o-meter says this is a bit good and not a bit great at 8.5 of its unfathomable scale of things.  I'd go this as a session beer and regret it too soon as the alcohol level is well hidden and deceptive.

Made my day as I had no expectations but got a little gem of a thing that being honest with you made me smile. It's a lovely beer, well crafted, not difficult and easily shareable with friends without making them frown or regret being  in your beer circle.  Very good.  Very very good.