Thursday 18 June 2015

Antarctica Original Review


“Cold As Ice”
Country: Brazil 
Brand: Antarctica Original
Brewery: Cervejaria Antarctica, Jaguariuna (SP)
Package: Bottle (600 ml) 
Type: American Adjunct Lager
Age: NAS
ABV: 5%
Ingredients: Water, Malt, Grains, Hops, Carbohydrates
Antioxidant: INS 316
Stabiliser: INS 405

Colour: Pale Golden

Foam: Very Thin White Foam that dissolves quickly. Only traces of Foam are visible in the glass while you are enjoying your Original. Only very few laces of Foam remain once you're done.

Nose: Extremely Light. Almost Non Existing. A bit of Malt, Sweet Corn, Yeast, Supermarket White Bread and Dough. A hint of Grassy Hops.


Taste: Thin, Watery but Refreshing, at least when you drink it cold like I did. The Carbonation is adequate. I find Sweet Grains (Corn and Rice), very Light Hops, Popcorn, a sprinkle of Lemon, Wet Newspaper and a little Iron.

Finish: Light and Watery. There's a light Bitterness towards the end that saves the day. I find Sweet Cereals (Corn and Rice), Light Hops and Malt, light Metal and Wet Newspaper.


Rating: ****** (Six out of Ten)

General Remarks: In 1906 the German immigrant Henrique Thielen founded the Adriatica Brewery in the city of Ponta Grossa in the state of Parana. In 1943, this Brewery was sold to Compania Antarctica Paulista. Nowadays, the latter is part of the Ambev Group. Adriatica's Pilsen Beer was called Original. When Paulista took over Adriatica, this Beer was subsequently called Antarctica Original. The Original sort of lost its way during the years but it was revived in 2010 in the original packaging. It's produced in relatively small lots and only for sale in the states of Sao Paulo and Parana.

The Ambev Brewery in Jaguariuna (SP) - Picture Credit: Engeform

Drinking Experience: Okay

Conclusion: This is a very simple Light Adjunct Lager. It's not as annoyingly Sweet as most Brazilian Beers of this type and it presents a light Bitterness that makes it more refreshing. But the Antarctica Original lacks interesting Aromas and Flavours. It makes a good companion during a Happy Hour with friends and colleagues. And I didn't detect any real Off-Notes. But that's all!

Jan van den Ende                                                                     June 18, 2015

2 comments:

  1. Very nice review, my friend. My father used to drink this one, and now that I'm into beers, I'm gonna give it a try in memoriam of my old man.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gabriel, thanks for your kind comment and sorry for the late reply. I was in Germany for a while and certainly enjoyed some nice beers there. Antarctica Original is better than most Brazilian beers and I will join you tonight in having one. My father used to like Heineken a lot! Cheers Gabriel🍻

      Delete