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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

All The World's a Stage for Lagers

All the World's a Stage for Lagers

Dry Beer and Ice Beer

Dry beer is straw-colored, light-bodied, low in bitterness or malt flavors, with alcohol ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 percent. Ice beer is similarly restrained in aroma and flavor, with low but perceptible bitterness, potentially more mouthfeel, and slightly higher average alcohol content. The name “ice beer” refers to the practice of chilling the beer before filtration: ice crystals may or may not be removed. Ice beers are not related to the strong eisbock styles.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

86 Zhujiang Cold Draft, Guangzhou Zhujiang Brewery Group (China). 4.3% ABV
(10/08)
Golden color. Peach jam on toast aromas with a hint of melon rind follow through on a soft, round entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with a hint of lemon curd, pewter and talc on the finish. A refreshing lawnmower beer.

85 Double Dry Lager, Bowes (Canada). 5.6% ABV (11/07)
Rich old gold color. Golden raisin, light caramel and corn aromas. A round frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of day-old brioche, citrus jam and candied corn flavors. Finishes with sweet fruity fade.

84 Cristal Lager, Cerveceria Backus Y Johnston (Peru). 5% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color. Butter nut bread toast crisp round. pleasant lemon rind and toast fade. A nice quaffer.

Ice Beer

82 Anchor Ice Lager, Asia Pacific Breweries (China). 4% ABV (11/07)
Pale yellow golden color. Cashew brittle, lemon salt water taffy and banana nut bread aromas and follow through to a soft, silky and dryish light body with a quick lemon powder and tin canned yam fade. Strangely anemic.

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