What European import beers have you sampled in the past year? The beer brand most often mentioned when Americans are asked this question is Heineken.
Brewed in the Netherlands, Heineken is one of the best- selling beers in the world and a top export brew to the United States. Most every beer lover and novice has sampled Heineken and a large percentage of Americans name Heineken as their first experience with an imported beer.
But is Heineken as good a beer as its sales indicate? A fair answer to this question is yes and no. Taking a look at Heineken reveals a straw- colored beer with a completely clear body. The foam dissipates rapidly and the aroma is pilsner- like and grainy with floral notes, but also slightly skunky. Taking a taste of Heineken reveals a direct flavor profile that includes light grains, light hops, and a touch of metal without much disctinction. The taste starts out sweet and then finsihes dry, with the skunky character present from start to finish.
Heineken is packaged in its characteristic green bottles and this is the primary reason for the skunky smell and taste. Green bottles offer little protection from light, and the damage inflicted from the light is the main reason for the skunky character. This problem could easily be resolved if Heineken would switch to brown bottles, but this is unlikely given that the green bottle is so widely recognized as a Heineken trademark. Served from a keg, Heineken is better tasting than from a bottle, due in no small part to the different form of packaging.
Heineken isn’t the shiek product that its advertisements often claim and its flavor profile is rather ordinary at best. It ranks as one of the classically over- rated beer products and even though it is more user- friendly when served from the tap, the skunky aroma and taste from the familiar green bottles is too significant to overlook.
Rating: 4 cheers out of 10
Strong: Pale Lager
Alcohol Level: 5 Percent Alcohol by Volume
Calories: 150 Calories per 12 oz. Serving
Carbs: 11.5 grams of Carbs per 12 oz. Serving
Leave a Reply