Cerveja Baden Baden 1999

To put it midldy, I am a Baden Baden fan.  If you have read any of this blog you know that the 2^nd highest rated beer is the Baden Baden Red Ale.  I think I had some lofty goals for the 1999, which, to my dismay, were very unsatisfied.  I fancied this beverage to have a strong-ale style based on the description of the beer and my love of Baden Baden.  Once I had opened the cerveja, I realized how off the mark my opinion had been.  The beer almost tasted flat with a subtle sense of hops that didn’t sit well.  I honestly thought that beer was bad, but I kept drinking.  The beer eventually started to level off and I began to taste a bit of flavor, but I partial think that was wishful thinking.  Not to say I won’t have a Baden Baden again, but I don’t think I will be having the 1999.  

KOP Rating : 5.5/10

Cerveja Bavaria Premium

Bavaria Premium is a fine Brazilian pilsen.   A classic pilsner flavor with a subtle finish. Great on a hot day or even better for playing Polish Horseshoes in the park.  I personally think it fits in the same category as Brahma, Skol, and Antartica; yet, that could be argued by some.  Not too much going on here, but the drinkability level is high.

KOP Rating : 4/10

Tres Lobos American Pilsen

I recently found my favorite beer in Brazil (so far) and I have just been drinking it and not posted a review.  Shame on me I say.  Tres Lobos American Pilsner is by far the best Brazilian beer I have had since I have lived here.  I have been looking for a beer that is hoppy yet smooth with good drinkability.  I think the reason it took so long to find this beer is because it is labeled as an American Pilsner, which is most definitely is not.  The first sip of this fine cerveja and you realize you have a gem.  The floral hops hit you in the nose, but don’t stay there for too long.  A little tinge of malt mixes in for a subtle balance that makes this beverage perfect for me.  Since I found this beer, I think I have gone back to the store and purchased about 8 of the 355ml bottles (at 3.99 reals per pop!)  It isn’t the most economical beer, but my favorite of Brazil so far.  Saude!!!

KOP Rating : 9/10

Falke Bier Estrada Real IPA

Estrada Real IPA is a very distinct-style of IPA.   This cerveja has a sweet-hop with a stronger malt finish that overpowers the true IPA designation of the beverage.  Yet, somehow this it works for me.  The dark earthy color, the carmel flavor, and the subtle citrusy hops combine for a very palatable experience.  Brewed and bottled in Belo Horizonte!

KOP Rating : 6.5/10

Cerveja A Outra

My friend Laura gave me this Sao Paulo cerveja about a month ago and told me I should review it for my blog.  When I questioned her as to what was so special about this beer, she told me all I needed to know is that it is called “the Other”.  Oh god!

From the initial pour the beverage looks like any regular Brazilian beer, say like a Skol or Brahma.  Once you take a sip though you realize why it is "the Other”.  A little sweet and not very smooth, this beer would most definitely give you a horrible hangover.   I have to admit, it’s not the worst beer I have had in Brazil, but I don’t think I will have one again.  Obrigado Laura!

KOP Rating : 3/10

Cerveja Buzios Geriba American Lager

Maybe it was the beach.  Maybe it was the sun.  Maybe it was the fact that I hadn’t had an artisanal beer in far too long.  Either way, this fine beverage hit the spot.  Buzios Geriba is an American style lager feels more like a pale and far exceeded my expectations.   A little on the hoppy side and bit citrusy, but still balanced with a nice malty creamy taste.   All in all, this is a very refreshing beverage.    When I am back in Buzios, I am definitely going to grab another one of these bad boys. 

KOP Rating 7/10 

Cerveja Eisenbahn Pilsen

Eisenbahn Pilsen is a “you get what you think you are going to get” kind of beer.  Not much really going here to be honest.  The front end is smooth, but there really is no finish to the beer.  I think it is trying to be a watered-down premium cerveja for people who want to think they are drinking a small batch beverage.  I guess if you are into, ya know, not tasting your beer, this might be for you.  Not to say it is bad, just so you know it's not really good either. 

KOP Rating : 4.5/10

Cerveja Therezopolis Gold

I was out one night having drinks at a restaurant called Pio Brasileiro and we brought a bucket of four 600ml Therezopolis Golds.  Until this point, I hadn’t really given this beer much of a shot.  I guess I kind of thought it was a lower end beer or something, I don’t really know.  I do know that I am glad I gave this beer a shot though.  Therezopolis Gold is a smooth, light bodied beer that has a mildly sweet taste.  It’s not over the top, but definitely has a good flavor and drinkability.  Also, for the price of around 6.99 reals for a 600ml bottle, you can’t really go wrong.

KOP Rating : 5.5/10

Cerveja Bamberg Rauchbier

I acquired this beverage at a gift exchange over the holidays and almost forgot about it sitting in my fridge until last week.  Cassondra made a fantastic filet mignon, with a poached egg, and I thought the beer would go great with this fine meal.  The initial taste of the Bamberg Rauchbier had a little smokiness, which went well with the meat.  A note of hops, accompanied by a toffee flavor, then followed this smokiness.  It was very reminiscent of a German bier that is not overly malty and finishes clean.  I would also say this cerveja would be a good accompaniment with a cigar or smoke, that is, if you smoked and/or had more than one of these fine beers to enjoy!

KOP Rating 6.5/10

Petropolis Premium Dark Cerveja Premium - Black Princess 1882

I picked up this fine beverage from a local store called Extra, which has just about everything you could possible want or need from a store.  I think I had been to Extra numerous times before I realized they have good priced specialty beers though.  This little number, the Black Princess 1882, is not what I was expecting from a dark Brazilian beer.  Most dark beers in Brazil are very sweet, almost overly sweet.  Black Princess 1882 does have hint of caramel to open with, but finishes with a very smooth taste.  The overall effect ends up being a full-bodied, well-balanced beverage.   It is nice to know there is a good dark beer made in Brazil that doesn't taste a like dessert.    

KOP Rating - 6/10

Backer Cerveja Pale Ale

I think going back to the northwest helped get my tastebuds back in check.  I am now excited to experiment with some new beers, but thought I would start with one of favorites.  Out of all the Backer beers, even more than the Tres Lobos IPA, I would have to say the Pale Ale (paulie allie in Portuguese)  is my favorite.  It has a great balance to it, which, as I've said before is very difficult to find a Brasilian beer.  The hops are present in the front and finishes with a very smooth crisp flavor.   The price point for this beer is very good too.  You can pick up a 600ml (garrafa) for around 5.49 reals at most supermarkets.  It says that it is only 4.8% alcohol, but that's what all of the Backer beers say and I don't buy it for a minute.  Two of these bad boys and I'm feeling pretty, pretty, pretty good.  Saude!

KOP Rating 7.5/10