90 Samuel Adams Light, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4% ABV (11/09)
Pale amber color. Pleasant aroma of lightly fruity caramel and toast follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with good balance and depth of flavor. Finishes with a long, crisp earthy hop and mineral-accented fade. A very nice light beer with considerable flavor and style.
86 Lionshead Light Deluxe Pilsner Beer, The Lion Brewery (PA). 3.8% ABV (11/08)
Bright golden color. Aromas of buttery kettle corn and white bread dough follow through on a smooth entry to a dryish light-to-medium body hints of green pear and starfruit. Finishes with lightly creamy toasted grain fade. A pleasant quaffer.
85 Alpine Light, Moosehead Breweries (Canada). 4% ABV (10/07)
Pale golden color. Grainy, buttered toast and canned fruit aromas. A crisp, entry leads to a clean, dryish, light-to-medium body of candied lemon peel and multigrain toast flavors with a crisp dry finish. A solid light lager.
84 Cold Filtered Light, Moosehead Breweries (Canada). 4% ABV (10/07)
Yellow gold color. Wet grain and sweat aromas. A crisp frothy entry leads to a dryish light body of sweet lemon rind and toast flavors with a quick wet talc fade.
84 Beck’s Premier Light Lager, Brauerei Beck & Co. (Germany). 2.3% ABV (11/07)
Pale golden color. Moist bread dough and salty, earthy aromas. A soft entry leads to a light body of faint white bread dough and potassium chloride flavors with a quick mineral-accented fade.
83 Light Lager, Bavaria N.V. Lieshout (Holland). 4.8% ABV (11/08)
Bright golden yellow color. Pleasant aromas of warm egg sandwich with a touch of savory roasted parsnip and carrot follow through on a soft, round entry to a dry, light body with a hint of dried grapefruit, tilled earth and jicama on the quick, slightly metallic finish. Inoffensive and functional.
83 Classic Light Beer, Bowes (Canada). 4% ABV (10/07)
Yellow gold. Sweet candied corn and toast aromas. Crisp, dryish, light-bodied with a trace of honeyed cornbread and a lightly metallic fade.
83 Barena, Cerveceria Hondurena S.A. (Honduras). 4.6% ABV (10/07)
Pale yellow gold with an emerald cast. Wet paper, earthy mineral and grain aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of nut bread dough and clay flavors with a chewy, buttery grain, lemon soufflé and earthy hop fade.
81 Moose Light, Moosehead Breweries Ltd. (Canada). 4% ABV (11/08)
Golden yellow color. Yeasty egg bagel aromas follow through on a mellow entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with nice toastiness and a touch of lemon water on the quick, slightly tinny finish.
Non-Alcoholic Lager
86 Karmi Poema Di Cafe, Okocim Brewery (Poland). .05% ABV (10/08)
Dark chestnut/ruby color. Slightly tan head. Nice retention on glass. Rich dark coffee/espresso notes with hints of malted milk balls. Soft entry, silky mouthfeel. Malted milk balls, slightly burnt coffee, toffee and dark/milk chocolate flavors. Good chocolate to coffee ratio. Gentle finish, not too cloying.
86 Karmi Classic, Okocim Brewery (Poland). .05% ABV (10/08)
Deep ruby chestnut color. Very little head retention, thin “micro” bubbles leaving a thin veil of lace. Dark toast and rich dark/milk chocolate aromas, with hints of malted milk balls. Soft sweet entry. Caramel and sea salt, Hershey’s syrup, milk chocolate flavors that are well pronounced but gently fade. Clean un-cloying finish. Good one for the lads, although a bit too sweet.
85 Golden Pheasant Non Alcoholic Lager, Heineken Slovensko (Slovakia). .05% ABV (10/08)
Pale golden color, thin veil of lacy carbonation. Fresh dough, creamy roasted corn and a slight lemon spritz on the nose. Spritzy entry with lightly toasted buttered bread, grape nuts and sweet cream with hints of roasted corn make up the flavor profile. Slightly bitter finish, but not offensive. Reminds one of industrial pale lager from the eastern block.