Week 7- 10 December - Carib

General Details:
Brewer: CARIB BREWERY
Alcohol Content: 5.2%
Type of Beer: Lager
The brand is a reflection of the Caribbean lifestyle - refreshing and distinctive. It is a continental style lager, full bodied and light in colour.

Our Rating:
7 out of 10

Justifications:

Rob:
Very crisp and refreshing. Mild for alcohol content and has a citrus taste. Reminds me of Jamaica as it was always available for free in our bar fridge! Chill beer to have socially.

Meg:
Nice flavour for the body. Has a seasoned taste and a really good price. Must note that this is the same beer Lisbeth Salander drinks at the beginning of the Girl Who Played With Fire. Also brings me back to the Caribbean which is always a good thing!

Week 6- 3 December - B-40 Bull Max

General Details:
Brewer: STROHS BREWERY
Alcohol Content: 7.0%
Type of Beer: Lager
The brand is brewed to be a strong beer. At 8.0% abv, this strong beer delivers a rich malt flavour, while maintaining a clean, smooth, distinctive taste. Brewed with only the finest ingredients, it is a highly drinkable, well balanced strong beer.

Our Rating:
6.5 out of 10

Justifications:

Rob:

Hoppy and sweet. Well balanced taste but surprisingly nothing too different in taste considering the alcohol content. Huge bottles (1.18L) so make sure to have someone to share the bottle with!

Meg:
Mild and not too sweet compared to Bavaria. Light, honey taste. The strong buzz sneaks up on you, so beware! Good value but the bottles are gigantic! Better to share than let it go flat. Do not drink without the intent to have a good night!

Week 5- 26 November - Boddington's Pub Ale

General Details:
Brewer: INTERBREW_UK_WHITBREAD
Alcohol Content: 4.8%
Type of Beer: Ale
An authentic English Cream Ale that pours with an initial clouding that clears slowly to produce a unique, pale golden colour and thick creamy head, thus its' name Cream of Manchester. It has been brewed at Strangeways Brewery, UK since 1778.

Our Rating:
6 out of 10

Justifications:

Rob:

Very different head than used to (very thick). A tad flavorless but the grain comes through. Pairs well with food and would be really great with fresh fish! A little too low on carbonation for my taste.

Meg:
Very interesting pouring technique. Contains a widget (like Guinness) and requires a very precise method. Enjoyable light beer, really enjoy the creaminess. I would buy this again.

Week 4- 19 November - Belle Gueule

General Details:
Brewer: Les Brasseurs RJ
Alcohol Content: 5.2%
Type of Beer: Lager
Price: 12.95/6 pack
A copper robe with a hint of gold. Mellow with a refreshing bitterness.


Our Rating:
4 out of 10

Justifications:

Rob:
Under flavoured and something missing in the flavour. No real aroma or distinctive taste. If low carbonation, should have more taste. Not worth the price, expert a higher quality but rather disappointing.

Meg:
Flat, low carbonation. Nothing distinctive to remark on taste-wise. Not worth the $ compared to others so far.

Week 3- 12 November - Beck's

General Details:
Brewer: BRAUEREI BECK & COMPANY
Alcohol Content: 5.0%
Type of Beer: Lager
Premium quality, light golden colour, hoppy flavour. Brewed using only natural ingredients of barley-malt, hops, yeast and brewing water.

Our Rating:
6.5 out of 10

Justifications:

Rob:
Flavourful but yet not a very strong taste. Could suite a variety of palates, from Heineken to Molson drinkers. Good beer but nothing too outstanding, A good Friday beer.

Meg:
Mild tasting, barley taste at the start. Good quality for the price though. Really enjoyed them, but a tad heavy. Gives a positive buzz.

Week 2- November 5 - Bavaria 8.5

General Details:
Brewer: BAVARIA
Alcohol Content: 7.9%
Type of Beer: Lager
Cost: 2.55/ 500ml can
Bavaria 7.9 is a beer with a high alcohol percentage of 7.9% by volume, hence the name. The beer is slightly darker than most lagers. The bitterness is well balanced, with a somewhat dry aftertaste. It's a smooth, strong beer!


Our Rating:
5 out of 10

Justifications:

Rob:
Hesitated at the sweetness of the first taste but despite that, gave a different buzz than others. Low carbonation.
A little too strong ("Booze quiver" after drink) Good bang for your buck but do factor in takeout with this purchase!

Meg:
Surprised at the fruitiness and sweetness at first. Rather flat. Gets easier to drink but leads to quite the head buzz.
Good value for money, could see this being bought for Halloween parties or camping.

Week 1 - October 29 - Amstel Light

General Details:
Brewer: HEINEKEN BROUWERIJEN BV
Alcohol Content: 4.0%
Type of Beer: Light
Cost:$12.95 for 6 pack of bottles
Brewed in the Amstel tradition with care and craftmanship, this brand is low in alcohol 4%, low in calories, yet still provides a real beer taste and flavour.


Our Rating:

7 out of 10

Justifications:

Rob:
Nice carbonation. Light and flavourful lingering aftertaste similar to Tank House light. Has a "seasoned" taste.
To directly quote Rob after his third and last beer: "Amstel liking it!". Good overall, would buy again.

Meg:
Taste comes through at the end. Light but still bold in taste. Has hints of caramel.
Nice beer for social situations, light enough but still gives you a warm buzz.

Guidelines for the Great Beer Sampling

As lager lovers, my husband and I have pledged to try a different beer every Friday from October 29th 2010 to October 28th 2011. We decided to start with the import lis at thebeerstore.ca as we only have access to what they bring in. We agreed to spend up to $15 per week, to follow the list alphabetically and to track our observations on a spreadsheet. We are not to skip a brand unless it isn't available but have decided to eliminate trend beers and multiples from the same brand (ex: Miller Lime). As we figured out these details, we realized many people were interested in our undertaking and decided a blog would be the easiest way to follow us. Thanks for all the well wishes and warnings (apparently Crest is a beer you shouldn't mess with!) and feel free to partake and contribute via comments if you so wish to!