Baden Baden Red Ale

When I first came to Brazil, I was very disappointed in the variety of beer selection available (albeit, I probably wasn't looking to hard, but still).  It was not until I was out at dinner with some friends when I first heard the words "Baden Baden" mentioned.  Up to this point, beers with names such as Skol, Brahama, Bohemian, and Orginal, dominated the conversations, not Baden Baden.  When I asked where I could get such a beer, they told me it was available right down the street at our local Super Nosso and I went off to find it.  Let me tell you friends, I was no longer disappointed in Brazilian beer.

From the first swig of the high octane 9.2% behemoth, I was transported back state-side to where beers had a certain power and passion.  I was instantly drawn to the tones of toffee and the floral hops, which I was not familiar with accompanying a red ale, but oh, how I enjoyed them so.  With a price of around $10 reals, this isn't your everyday kind of beer, but Baden Baden Red Ale is a beverage I would love to sneak into a suitcase to share with loved ones back home.

KOP rating 8.5/10

Cervaja Itaipava

Something like the Keystone light of cheap beers, and if you know how much I love Beer Pong, then this is actual a pretty decent beer (if you want to drink a lot of cheap beer).  With only a 4.5% alcohol content, Itaipava lets you enjoy the day as much as beverage itself.  A crisp finish, reminiscent of a chilled wind in spring, allows the smooth clean taste to subdue your senses into believing this is more than just an inexpensive pilsner.  Don't fool yourself, it's a passing feeling.  But with a price-tag of $1.49 reals for 473 mL, it's a beer that you can't really pass up.

KOP Rating 4/10

3 Lobos Pele Vermelha American IPA

This is the first IPA from Brazil that I found and actually kind of liked.  It is 6.9% American style IPA made by 3 Lobos, which is a line created by Backer brewery.  The beer has a reddish color and an orange-fruity taste, with more malt than hops.  This beer is a great attempt to produce an IPA with a full bodied flavor.  

KOP Rating : 7/10