You might find me on the other side ... that's likeitis
You might find me on the other side ... that's likeitis
Member since:12.06.2002
Reviews:547
Members who trust:301
After a recent opinion I wrote concerning Carlsberg PREMIUM Lager, it was suggested to me that Carlsberg EXPORT Lager was quite a decent beer. Now that's the sort of challenge this site could use more of. So at the first opportunity, I rushed off to Safeway as fast as my little legs would carry me, and purchased a 500ml bottle of CARLSBERG EXPORT LAGER for the not unreasonable price of 99p.
I won't bore you with any facts about the brewery as I've already listed some of the more salient points in the previous opinion. Nor will I go into any detail about the bottle...save to mention it's green and by a remarkable co-incidence, has the words of the product boldly displayed on the label. Likewise, in keeping this opinion succinct, compendious, even terse - but not laconic, I won't deviate from the opinion with an interlude....
• THE POUR •
It froths up nicely, and forms a pure white head which sits proudly on top of a clear, pale golden body. Unfortunately, pride comes before a fall, and the head soon collapses to a thin, scummy lace. There are hints of grain in the nose, but the hops seem a little over-cooked and result in a quite off-putting, stale aroma. There's also a very noticeable presence of cheap adjuncts (corn). I not sure if this bottle may have been a bit skunky*
* Skunking is when exposure to UV light causes a chemical reaction in the beer making it smell and taste unpleasant. If beer is stored correctly this shouldn't happen. This is the reason that most quality beers use brown glass - IMO, it's almost always a good indicator of the attitude of the brewer.
• THE TASTE •
It's light bodied with a crisp and clean mouthfeel, though somewhat over carbonated. There's some floral hop flavour up front but that soon disappears, leaving a vegetable taste (over-cooked hops). The finish is thin and grainy, turning dry, and leaves a faint alcohol aftertaste.
• THE VERDICT •
At 5% ABV, this beer is not the best one I've ever tasted, and hard as it is to believe, it's not the worst. Sure, it's brewed using hops and malt, but the similarity to any beer that I would want to drink ends right about there. It was weak, flat, tired and boring - and if it hadn't been for the skunking, it would've been tasteless as well. As for food pairings, perhaps chilli peppers dipped in tabasco sauce - something to remind you that your taste-buds haven't upped and left in the middle of the night. (Although if you're going to subject them to this ordeal, they just might.)
I'm possibly being unfair on this beer as it was a bit skunked - who knows, perhaps on draught it's a damn fine lager - but if you're going to bottle your beer in green glass, I'm afraid skunking is one of the hazards you are likely to incur.
My advice is: Try it on draught or at a push, try a can. But if you're looking for a decent lager in a bottle, then keep right on looking.
FOOTNOTE: Being the thoroughly dedicated beer reviewer that I am, I departed from my usual choice of beverage at the pub on Friday evening, and ordered a pint of Carlsbeg Export on draught in order to compare this version to the bottle. The result? Bland, tasteless, boring and fizzy. In it's favour, it was cold and inoffensive - though that's hardly an incentive to make it a regular tipple.
Advantages: Tastes like an angel weeping on your tongue Disadvantages: I know you pay for quality but at nearly a quid a can it burns quite a large hole in you pocket
deano_76 12.02.2002 (20.02.2002)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Carlsberg Export Lager
Advantages: Tastes like an angel weeping on your tongue Disadvantages: I know you pay for quality but at nearly a quid a can it burns quite a large hole in you pocket
deano_76 12.02.2002 (20.02.2002)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Carlsberg Export Lager
Advantages: Very reasonably priced, execellent body and taste. Compares as best buy with other beers of same volume. Disadvantages: Not avaiable, as far as I an aware, in bottles.Lager generaaly taste better in bottle or poured into a glass
Jul 6th, 2003
very helpful by (96%):
helpful by (4%):
