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Virtual Happy Hour (Brew Pics and Reviews)
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Zardnaar
Legend
Vailima The taste of Samoa.
Found this in the bottle store. Never had a Samoan beer before. Expectations were low due to looking like NZ lager . It comes in a 750ml bottle. 6.7% abv 4 standard drinks per bottle.
On the way home however I remembered th a Germans used to rule Samoa. Until New Zealand invaded erm liberated in WW1 from the oppressive German empire to the NZ erm glorious British empire.
Germans make decent beer and ex German breweries exist around the world.
Beer advocate had it as well.
www.beeradvocate.com
82/100 pretty damn good for typical lager expectations switched to somewhat enthusiastic.
First sip somewhat disappointed. Tasted like an NZ generic lager from the 1980s. More investigation required. Further down the bottle it's a lot smoother with a pleasant sort of sweet after taste. A lot smoother than our generic 1980s only option. Stronger as well.
Overall pretty damn good. The Beer advocate one is fair enough, not bad for lager type beer and 6.7% bit of a kick. At $4.50usd a bottle I may have to do my bit to support the Samoan export economy since they're reliant on tourism.
Thumbs up few bottles of this more than two thumbs. Do d I mention nice aftertaste.
Found this in the bottle store. Never had a Samoan beer before. Expectations were low due to looking like NZ lager . It comes in a 750ml bottle. 6.7% abv 4 standard drinks per bottle.
On the way home however I remembered th a Germans used to rule Samoa. Until New Zealand invaded erm liberated in WW1 from the oppressive German empire to the NZ erm glorious British empire.
Germans make decent beer and ex German breweries exist around the world.
Beer advocate had it as well.
Vailima | Samoa Breweries Limited
Vailima is a Pilsner - German style beer brewed by Samoa Breweries Limited in Apia, Samoa. Score: 82 with 14 ratings and reviews. Last update: 03-17-2021.
82/100 pretty damn good for typical lager expectations switched to somewhat enthusiastic.
First sip somewhat disappointed. Tasted like an NZ generic lager from the 1980s. More investigation required. Further down the bottle it's a lot smoother with a pleasant sort of sweet after taste. A lot smoother than our generic 1980s only option. Stronger as well.
Overall pretty damn good. The Beer advocate one is fair enough, not bad for lager type beer and 6.7% bit of a kick. At $4.50usd a bottle I may have to do my bit to support the Samoan export economy since they're reliant on tourism.
Thumbs up few bottles of this more than two thumbs. Do d I mention nice aftertaste.
Zardnaar
Legend
Murica American Pale Ale. Behomoth Brewing Company
APAs tend to have less hops than an IPA. In NZ IPAs basically mean more hops, add more hops on top of extra hops.
When your beer starts to taste like fruit salad you may have gone to far.
6% abv, 1.6 standard drinks per can. Behemoth normally make a good brew and they use a lot of satire to sell their beer. Their Dump the Trump seasonal brew sold out fast never got to try it.
This APA is slightly fruity but the hop flavour isn't overpowering. By our standards that's subtle. Very smooth nice aftertaste. Quite like this one. I don't think it's on beer advocate but yeah probably best beer I have had recently.
4.5/5. Almost as good as my favorite Russian APA/IPA.
Well damn I'm wrong.
www.beeradvocate.com
Only one review at 4.3.
APAs tend to have less hops than an IPA. In NZ IPAs basically mean more hops, add more hops on top of extra hops.
When your beer starts to taste like fruit salad you may have gone to far.
6% abv, 1.6 standard drinks per can. Behemoth normally make a good brew and they use a lot of satire to sell their beer. Their Dump the Trump seasonal brew sold out fast never got to try it.
This APA is slightly fruity but the hop flavour isn't overpowering. By our standards that's subtle. Very smooth nice aftertaste. Quite like this one. I don't think it's on beer advocate but yeah probably best beer I have had recently.
4.5/5. Almost as good as my favorite Russian APA/IPA.
Well damn I'm wrong.
'Murica | Behemoth Brewing Company
'Murica is a Pale Ale - American style beer brewed by Behemoth Brewing Company in Mount Eden, New Zealand. Score: n/a with 3 ratings and reviews. Last update: 02-07-2021.
Only one review at 4.3.
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Zardnaar
Legend
I don't do whiskey often. Watching Expanse tonight.
I like Canadian club on the rocks with ginger ale and a splash of lime juice.
Zardnaar
Legend
Victorian Bitter AKA VB
Aussies favorite beer by volume. Generic lager bad memories from the 90s. Gets a whopping 5.9 on beer advocate.
www.beeradvocate.com
This beer has a terrible reputation. I haven't drunk it since the 90's. It doesn't even pretend to be good. A meh beer from Russia tastes better.
On the positives.
It's a lager
It looks like a lager.
Better than expected.
It has an unpleasant smell. Taste was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting terrible but it managed to sneak in at barely drinkable. After two other beers though it might help. It's also 4.9% so it's a bit stronger than our typical 4% generic ales that manage to taste even worse.
This is not a good beer. On the plus side better than expected. I'm having it on a best case scenario. Half cut on other beers hot summer day.
Overall congrats Australia. Your crap beer is marginally better than our crap beer. I might be able to finish the can which is an improvement over out crap beer and it's stronger. 5/10 maybe drink if it's a hot day and the boss paid for it. Budweiser is a masterpiece by comparison.
Aussies favorite beer by volume. Generic lager bad memories from the 90s. Gets a whopping 5.9 on beer advocate.
Victoria Bitter (VB) | Carlton & United Breweries, Ltd.
Victoria Bitter (VB) is a Lager - Adjunct style beer brewed by Carlton & United Breweries, Ltd. in Southbank, Australia. Score: 59 with 342 ratings and reviews. Last update: 03-16-2021.
This beer has a terrible reputation. I haven't drunk it since the 90's. It doesn't even pretend to be good. A meh beer from Russia tastes better.
On the positives.
It's a lager
It looks like a lager.
Better than expected.
It has an unpleasant smell. Taste was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting terrible but it managed to sneak in at barely drinkable. After two other beers though it might help. It's also 4.9% so it's a bit stronger than our typical 4% generic ales that manage to taste even worse.
This is not a good beer. On the plus side better than expected. I'm having it on a best case scenario. Half cut on other beers hot summer day.
Overall congrats Australia. Your crap beer is marginally better than our crap beer. I might be able to finish the can which is an improvement over out crap beer and it's stronger. 5/10 maybe drink if it's a hot day and the boss paid for it. Budweiser is a masterpiece by comparison.
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embee
Lawyer by day. Rules lawyer by night.
Sounds like Maryland's own infamously bad beer, National Bohemian.Victorian Bitter AKA VB
View attachment 132204
Aussies favorite beer by volume. Generic lager bad memories from the 90s. Gets a whopping 5.9 on beer advocate.
Victoria Bitter (VB) | Carlton & United Breweries, Ltd.
Victoria Bitter (VB) is a Lager - Adjunct style beer brewed by Carlton & United Breweries, Ltd. in Southbank, Australia. Score: 59 with 342 ratings and reviews. Last update: 03-16-2021.
This beer has a terrible reputation. I haven't drunk it since the 90's. It doesn't even pretend to be good.
On the positives.
It's a lager
It looks like a lager.
It has an unpleasant smell. Taste was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting terrible but it managed to sneak in at barely drinkable. After two other beers though it might help. It's also 4.9% so it's a bit stronger than our typical 4% generic ales that manage to taste even worse.
This is not a good beer. On the plus side better than expected. I'm having it on a best case scenario. Half cut on other beers hot summer day.
Overall congrats Australia. Your crap beer is marginally better than our crap beer. I might be able to finish the can which is an improvement over out crap beer and it's stronger. 5/10 maybe drink if it's a hot day and the boss paid for it. Budweiser is a masterpiece by comparison.
But Natty Boh to us Marylanders.
Zardnaar
Legend
Is it worse than Bud? I kinda like Bud not much flavour or a bit watery but not unpleasant.
Zardnaar
Legend
Grolsch 5% abv
Dutch lager brewed under licence here in NZ. Have not had for a long time. Last time I had it was when I got the pictured beer glass.
Perfectly adequate generic euro lagers. Nothing exciting no complaints. Should probably stop drinking but having pizza for dinner and it is a hot summer night.
7/10. Basic does the job. My glass is around 450mls or 500 mls so really need a larger Russian bottle to fill it. Reminds me a bit of Zatecky Gus which is my go to for generic pilsner. ZG is a bit better than this one.
United Nations world tour. Samoa,NZ, Aussie, Holland.
Grolsch Premium Lager | Grolsch Bierbrouwerij N.V.
72 beer advocate. Fair rating IMHO.
Dutch lager brewed under licence here in NZ. Have not had for a long time. Last time I had it was when I got the pictured beer glass.
Perfectly adequate generic euro lagers. Nothing exciting no complaints. Should probably stop drinking but having pizza for dinner and it is a hot summer night.
7/10. Basic does the job. My glass is around 450mls or 500 mls so really need a larger Russian bottle to fill it. Reminds me a bit of Zatecky Gus which is my go to for generic pilsner. ZG is a bit better than this one.
United Nations world tour. Samoa,NZ, Aussie, Holland.
Grolsch Premium Lager | Grolsch Bierbrouwerij N.V.
72 beer advocate. Fair rating IMHO.
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Zardnaar
Legend
Beer 5 by opening more like 9 ABV.
Quite hoppy for a pilsner but not particularly exciting. Bit more bitter than my personal preference.
It is in beer advocate but much like most NZ craft beers not many reviews.
www.beeradvocate.com
Nice enough but had better for cheaper. 7.2/10 not as good as a 7.5 better than 7. For the price probably pick generic German pilsner option as I can get 2.5 Krombacher's for the same price.
Probably a bit pretentious calling itself a bouncing Czech Pilsner.
Quite hoppy for a pilsner but not particularly exciting. Bit more bitter than my personal preference.
It is in beer advocate but much like most NZ craft beers not many reviews.
Bouncing Czech | Boundary Road Brewery
Bouncing Czech is a Pilsner - Bohemian / Czech style beer brewed by Boundary Road Brewery in Papakura, New Zealand. Score: n/a with 6 ratings and reviews. Last update: 11-20-2019.
Nice enough but had better for cheaper. 7.2/10 not as good as a 7.5 better than 7. For the price probably pick generic German pilsner option as I can get 2.5 Krombacher's for the same price.
Probably a bit pretentious calling itself a bouncing Czech Pilsner.
Zardnaar
Legend
Parrotdog Hazy IPA
Now this is a hazy IPA. Perfectly balanced NZ craft brewery. Very similar to my favorite Russian IPA/APA.
Not to hoppy as mentioned some IPAs mistake more hops for good taste.
The Russian IPAs (and hard to find) are half the price at 7 % though this one is a bit stronger but not overwhelming in flavour.
I really like this one. Bigger can as well (450mls). 2.4 standard drinks Aus/NZ 3.1 UK.
4.6 for me might even go 4.7. Pretty damn good. Best beer so far. Gonna shortlist this one gonna buy again.
Now this is a hazy IPA. Perfectly balanced NZ craft brewery. Very similar to my favorite Russian IPA/APA.
Not to hoppy as mentioned some IPAs mistake more hops for good taste.
The Russian IPAs (and hard to find) are half the price at 7 % though this one is a bit stronger but not overwhelming in flavour.
I really like this one. Bigger can as well (450mls). 2.4 standard drinks Aus/NZ 3.1 UK.
4.6 for me might even go 4.7. Pretty damn good. Best beer so far. Gonna shortlist this one gonna buy again.
Zardnaar
Legend
Harrington Rogue Hop Pilsner
5%abv. Just a bitter pilsner. Nice enough gets the job done. Nothing special. Last beer of the night. Things a bit fuzzy.
Weekends beer supply evaporated. I blame the pizza..
From worst to best inc price point.
VB
Boundary Road pilsner
Harrington Pilsner
Grolsch Premium Pilsner
Vailima lager
Behemoth APA Murica
Parrotdog IPA
Well done Samoa. Reasonably priced lager preferred it over some if the more expensive pilsners. Best bang for buck good start to the session 4 beers in a bottle by abv.
APA and IPA were nice. Everything else was ok except for the VB. VB doesn't pretend to be anything else though.
Vailima is about the same price as premium/imported lagers that are "better". Sleeper hit outperformed expectations.
Bit sloshed but not to bad. Nice buzz watching The Wire. Gonna stop now ignore the wine.
5%abv. Just a bitter pilsner. Nice enough gets the job done. Nothing special. Last beer of the night. Things a bit fuzzy.
Weekends beer supply evaporated. I blame the pizza..
From worst to best inc price point.
VB
Boundary Road pilsner
Harrington Pilsner
Grolsch Premium Pilsner
Vailima lager
Behemoth APA Murica
Parrotdog IPA
Well done Samoa. Reasonably priced lager preferred it over some if the more expensive pilsners. Best bang for buck good start to the session 4 beers in a bottle by abv.
APA and IPA were nice. Everything else was ok except for the VB. VB doesn't pretend to be anything else though.
Vailima is about the same price as premium/imported lagers that are "better". Sleeper hit outperformed expectations.
Bit sloshed but not to bad. Nice buzz watching The Wire. Gonna stop now ignore the wine.
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embee
Lawyer by day. Rules lawyer by night.
I'm not the best judge as to that question as I thoroughly detest Budweiser. The only mass-produced beverage less palatable than warm Coke is warm Bud. I've had it (the only beer available on a two-month dig out in the middle of the Negev desert) and it put me off the alleged lager permanently.
Natty Boh compares to PBR, which isn't surprising as Pabst Brewing now brews Natty. Both have the same enjoyment factor:
The first one goes down a little rough put if you muscle through it, the second one goes down significantly easier. Once you've pounded that one, the third can and all cans after that are very easy to drink. Which is good because it takes about 8 cans to get good and drunk on them.
Both pair well with burgers, especially greasy burgers.
Zardnaar
Legend
I find Bud inoffensive. Not much flavour, bit watery. Makes it easy enough to drink.
Leather Britches Porter by Blackberry Farm Brewery in Tennessee. It's very light for a porter with a bit of bitterness. The hints of fruit and chocolate are maybe too subtle for me. It's fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it 6.4% ABV, 39 IBU. Beer advocate only has 7 ratings for it. The can label is part of the 48 Beer Project by artist Heidi Geist. The can explains that Leather Britches refers to a southern method for preserving green beans.
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Zardnaar
Legend
Waitangi Day weekend over here. Long weekend. Hot summer day. Gonna be rough
Cheap APA about 1/3rd the price as previous effort. $15 usd for 10 pack. Sucker for the packaging.
Hoping for the best not expecting much. 4.8% kinda weak for APA so....
From Nelson NZ's "Sunshine State" equivalent. Good wine and hops up that way.
Cheap APA about 1/3rd the price as previous effort. $15 usd for 10 pack. Sucker for the packaging.
Hoping for the best not expecting much. 4.8% kinda weak for APA so....
From Nelson NZ's "Sunshine State" equivalent. Good wine and hops up that way.
Happy Waitangi Day!
Zardnaar
Legend
It was yesterday, 3 day weekend. Wife's looking at a wine bottle and don't have to cook tonight.