Tennent’s Original Export Lager

After reviewing a ‘Scottish” ale brewed in Canada, let’s try a Scottish beer actually brewed in Scotland. Tennent’ s Original Export Lager, claims that it is ‘always brewed with pride in the heart of Glasgow’. Not sure if i’d be overly proud of this one, because if it’s flavour you seek, then you may want to look elsewhere. If you like a very light tasting beer that would be probably best enjoyed on a stifling hot summer’s day as a thirst quencher then this may be the one for you. Not a beer drinker and want something light before moving on then maybe this may be a good start. A light yellow colour typical of a lager, I have mixed feelings about this one, not sure if I liked it or not. When I saw this beer it brought to mind another great Tennant (I know it’s not spelled the same, but it’s not even his real last name) from Scotland. The greatest Dr. Who of all, David Tennant. Would the Doctor like this one, doubt it, I mean he can travel in time and space and has probably tasted some of the greatest beers of all time.

6.5/10

Holzar-Bier

Another beer from the Bavarian brewery Hirsch Bräu. As I have mentioned in the past Bavaria is the centre of the beer universe. Holzar-Bier is a dark beer with a strong taste reminiscent of ‘liquid bread’, which is brewed in winter months only to help get you through the cold months. The lumberjack on the label symbolizes the lumberjacks who favoured this type of beer. A good mix of sweet and a hint of bitter, a little light on flavour but a decent beer none the less.  Worth a try, however there are better of this style out there. Holzar-Bier Nach Urväterart, doesn’t really fit into a catogory the brewery describes it as “An original old Allgäu brewing specialty. Amber colored, bottom-fermented Export beer. Pure, full-bodied, hearty, with a light malt aroma and the taste of dark brewing malt with well-rounded bitter touch.” Give it a try, maybe after a day of cutting down trees, or maybe raking leaves, putting up Christmas lights or just for the sake of enjoying a beer.

8/10

 

Neuschwansteiner

Neuschwanstein is probably the most famous landmark in Bayern, Deutschland (Bavaria, Germany). It is the inspiration for the Disney fairy tale castle. Built by der Märchenkönig (the fairytale king) Ludwig II as a homage to Richard Wagner. Brewed by Hirschbräu, Neuschwansteiner  is excellent lager well worth a try, like the Schloss (castle) which stands above other castles this beer stands above other beers. Golden in colour this lager is smooth and very enjoyable with a hint of sweetness. I recommend this one, I have found reviews of this beer mixed but as Ludwig would say ”I wish to remain an eternal enigma to myself and to others.” Oh and his nickname as the ‘Mad King’ there is no evidence of any kind of mental illness, which was likely fabricated to explain his mysterious death. Neuschwansteiner das echte (Neuschwansteiner the real). And if you are wondering about the  swans on the label neu-new, schwan-swan, stein-stone, the er means from there like Berliner.

9/10

Cameron’s Lager

Another beer from my homeland, the Great White North, Canada. Cameron’s Lager boasts it’s ‘brewed by a connoisseur not an accountant’. Well I don’t know who Cameron is or who his accountant is,  but he’s done a pretty decent  job here. Cameron’s been in the Craft brewery game since 1997, this is the first one I’ve tried and I enjoyed this lager, a nice straw colour, with the right hint of sweetness, reminiscent of an Eastern European style lager. The main criticism I have is there is a hint of metallic taste maybe its the can.  A gold medal winner at the US Open Beer Championships, which makes me picture going 18 holes drinking a different beer at each hole, now that’s my idea of a US Open. Read some other reviews of this one that weren’t too flattering, but I think this one is worth at least a chance.

6.5/10

Barking Squirrel

Plenty of squirrels around here, never actually heard one bark, although they are pretty frantic as of late with winter coming. Barking Squirrel is from The Hop City Craft Brewery in Brampton, Canada (In Hop City on Party Avenue, I got a girl from Kalamazoo). This is how they describe their beer as ‘Our original brew. A lager unlike any other. Smooth, crisp and balanced Barking Squirrel Lager is like an angel dancing on your tongue, well maybe more like a squirrel but tasty nonetheless.’  A squirrel dancing on my tongue, ouch, but it would describe the lager’s bitterness, an amber lager, this one is not too bad, smooth at first, a little too much bitterness for my personal liking but good none the less. Unlike any other not really, actually very typical of the style, kind of generic tasting typical red. I’ve included a picture of a squirrel taken in my backyard, I don’t think he was barking, but he was eyeing my beer.

7/10

Hollandia

From the good people who brought you Bavaria, we have Hollandia. Unlike Bavaria which is from Holland (The Netherlands) Hollandia is not from Bavaria, it is actually from the Netherlands. Confused yet? Lets get to the beer. straw coloured lager, that actually is a good balance of flavour with a slight hint of bitterness. This may fly in the face of popular opinion but I liked this one, will you? I think so unless pretentiousness influences your taste, a great beer, not really but one worth drinking for sure. I would have another. It’s a decent lager, give it a try.

7/10