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

Cerveja Devassa Tropical Ale

I know what you are thinking, "Tropical Ale, what the hell is that?".  To be honest, I thought the same thing before taking a shot at this beverage.  First off, not as tropical as I thought.  I thought it would be more mangoes and maracuja (passio fruit) but instead it has a carmel pear/apple thing going on.  Second, the multiple malts and the European hops are what helps settle this unique taste.  It keeps your senses thrown off a bit, but you will want to come back for more. Lastly, I may have finally found out how to judge a beer based on the taste and flavor, not so much the name and label.  Mais um obrigado!!

KOP Rating 6/10

Cerveja Krug Bier Austria Amber

A couple of weeks back, one of my good friends from the US sent me an interesting article called "Beyond Brahma" from allaboutbeer.com. What grabbed my attention the most was a beer I had seen around called Krug Bier.  I know, not the most appealing name.  I'd seen a Krug restaurant in town and had the Krug Austria Pilsner before; however, I did not know the brewery was also located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.

I am not the most avid fan of Ambers, but I decided to give it a shot.  It is, as most beers are in Brazil, very malty, yet has a slight bite to it that you normally don't get from Amber beers.  What is also very distinct about this beer is that for a beverage so dark in color, it feels very light.  I am guessing that the malt was toasted, not roasted, somewhat akin to coffee.  Not really my style of beer, but very different than what I thought it would be.

KOP Rating : 5.5/10

Here is the link to the article:  http://allaboutbeer.com/live-beer/travel/featuresa/2011/09/beyond-brahma/

Cerveja Chopp Soft Beer (aka - Choppy in a bottle)

One night, after we had been drinking and eating with friends at Mambo, a fantastic restaurant (but that's another story), we decided to go to a bar called Leo Gourmet.  Most everyone was very excited to eat some frango fritas (little fried chicken dollops) and have cheap Heineken.  Well, when we arrived at the bar, we noticed that they had a beer marketed as "Chopp in a bottle" and thought, hell, let's give it a shot. 

So, let me start by saying that this is probably one of the worst beers I have had in a long time.  First of all, anything that has the word "soft" in it and isn't referring to ice cream or fountain drinks isn't going to be good.  Second, well, it was flat, like Kansas flat.  Lastly, you can't have a Chopp in a bottle, it just doesn't work. 

KOP Rating : 1/10

Cerveja Backer Medieval

I guess I would have to say that slowly but surely I am become a Backer fan.  Not so much in there regular line (although the Pale is very good, obviously not so much with the Pilsner) but more of the off-shoots.  Backer Medieval is a cerveja that is truly unique to Brazil.  To start with, the beverage is topped with a wax seal.  I suppose this is so you can burn the wax to make you feel as though you entered a dingy tavern in middle ages.  As you can see, I clearly just popped the seal and the results were the same for me.  A golden belgian-style ale mingled with a fruity aroma and marked with the scent of clove.  I'd say the folks a Backer have some kind of alchemy going on with this one, but what do I know of Brazilian Monks..?

KOP Rating 6.5/10

Cerveja Colorado Indica

It took me a long while to find a truly good IPA and I am not reluctant to say that Colorado Indica is that beer.  Maybe it's because the only other beer I knew as "Indica" is the Lost Coast Indica IPA or because Indica reminds me of other fine tasty things I left back home.  Either way, this 7% bitter beverage is brewed with English hops and a minimal amount of malt (finally) to give it a perfect grapefruit-ish flavor, just how I like it! Not an ale that is consumed on the regular, given the price of $12.49 reals per 600 mL, but it is one worth having again and again.

KOP Rating 8/10

Brahma Cerveja

Brahma cerveja, oh what can I say? It seems you are the most well liked beer in Minas today. You are lovely on a warm day, the more chilled the better. Even if it was cold, I'd drink you wearing a sweater. Now this is not to say that you are the beer I always buy. But whenever you're around, the empty cans seem to multiply.

KOP Rating 4.5/10

Backer Cerveja Pilsner

It seems that most of the beer that I have been drinking and enjoying have been some off-shoots of Backer (Tres Lobos) or has been Backer itself.  Well, I decided since this little number has two medals from a 2007 and 2009 Beer Expo and it might also be something to enjoy.  Let me tell you, medals don't make a beer.

Backer Cerveja Pilsner is a crisp blonde ale with a smooth taste, more like a take on a German style pilsner beer, but a little off the mark for me.  It seems to lack much flavor, which is what Brazilians mostly like, so I can understand the medals and all.  For the most part, I am not a fan of the water-down, low fermentation beer that is consumed as a refreshment (isn't that what all the other Brazilian beer is for?).  Maybe it's just a way to get more Brazilians to try microbrews, I don't know.  I can tell you this though, the 600 ml Backer Cerveja Pilsner bottle is better to look at than to drink.

KOP rating 4/10

Cerveja Bohemia Pilsner

My experience with Bohemia pilsner started when I went into the local Super Nosso and I saw a Bohemia booth in the beer section. For some reason, no one was present at the booth, but from what I could make out in Portuguese was if you purchased a half-rack (12-pack for those not familiar with the nomenclature) you received a free goblet.  This sounded like a good deal to me. I went up to the grabbed my half-rack and headed to the checkout counter to pay for my beverages and acquire my goblet.  Well, this is where it gets interesting.  Since no one was actual at the booth to give me the glass, I literally had to talk (if you could call it that) to about 5 different people before I could get anyone to actual help me.  I think they thought I would just leave, but little did the know how stubborn a foreigner who doesn't really understand the language can be.  Most the employees laughed at me, but after about 15 minutes, I was able to walk out of the store with my newly acquired goblet and ready for a Bohemia.  

After the first sip of this delightful beverage, I could tell it was a beer I would enjoy drinking on a warm day. The light floral aroma of hops mingled with the European malts was akin to slow Brazilian samba.  With a price-tag of around 1.99 reals for 355 ml, it's a beer that you can drink more regularly, even more so if you have a nice goblet! 

KOP Rating 4.5/10

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