Devassa Tropical Ale Review

“Nothing New Under The Sun”

Country: Brazil 

Brand: Devassa Tropical Ale

Brewery: Cervejaria Devassa, Cachoeiras de Macacu (RJ)
Package: Bottle (355 ml) 

Type: English Pale Ale

Age: NAS

ABV: 4.8%

Ingredients: Water, Six different Malted Grains and European Hops.
Antioxidant: INS 316 
Stabiliser: INS 405

Colour: Light Amber

Foam: Thin but nice, slightly Off-White Foam. Unfortunately it dissolves after 5 minutes or so leaving only a thin head of Foam in the glass while drinking. A few light Laces remain in the glass once you finished it.

Nose: Light with quite some Citrus as well as Malt, light and slightly Bitter Hops, Pineapple, Sweet Pop Corn, White Bread, Caramel and some Floral Soap Notes.

Palate: Light, Watery and Bitter-Sweet with Musty Grains, light Hops, Caramel, Citrus, Sour Berries, Ripe Bananas, Grass, Dried Herbs, Hay, Floral Soap and Wet Paper. The Carbonation is adequate.     

Finish: Short, Watery and slightly Bitter with Musty Grains, Bread, Caramel and hints of Nutmeg and Peppermint Chewing Gum. 

Rating: *****1/2  (Five and a Half out of Ten)

The Brewery in Cachoeiras de Macacu

General Remarks: Devassa started in 2001 when Marcelo Macedo and Marcelo do Rio saw a niche market for creating a Brazilian style Beer, brewed using European quality standards. They started selling their beer from their own shop but gradually they moved towards Franchising and in 2007 a total of 11 units were in operation. Around that time, the second largest Brazilian Beer Brewery Schincariol entered into a partnership with the two Marcelos. From that moment on Devassa profited from Schincariol's distribution network while maintaining the Craft Qualities of their beers. Many new outlets were opened. Schincariol was bought by Kirin from Japan in 2012 and was subsequently renamed Brasil Kirin. Devassa Beers are exported a/o to the United Kingdom and the USA.

Drinking Experience: Okay but Boring and not very Refreshing.  

Conclusion: Devassa Tropical Ale is not really bad but it's nothing special either. It's way too light to be really considered a true Ale type of Beer. There's not too much tropical about it as well apart from some light Fruity notes here and there. My main complaint though is the fact that the Devassa Tropical Ale is not at all Refreshing. In fact, it all smells and tastes a bit Musty and Tired. It's drinkable but it's not a Beer I would buy again.

Jan van den Ende                                                                      May 27, 2015