Quilmes Review

“Don’t Think, Just Drink"

Country: Argentina 

Brand: Quilmes

Bottler: Cerveceria y Malteria Quilmes SAICA Y G

Type: Adjunct Lager

Age: NAS

ABV: 4.9 %

Antioxidant: E 224

Colour: Light Gold. 

Foam: Nice White Foam that collapses rather quickly.

Nose: Very Light. The first impressions are Sweet Corn and Rice. I also find Slightly Sour Bread Dough, Floral/Grassy notes, Mineral tones and a sprinkle of Lemon Juice. No personality whatsoever in this department. No real off-notes as well. 

Palate: Light and Watery with average Carbonation. I find Sweet Corn Syrup, Yeast, Bread Dough, Grass, Rice Crackers, slightly Sour Apples and again this light Lemon note. 

Finish: Short and Watery with a light Bitterness that is very welcome. Without it, the Finish would be excessively Sweet. I find Corn, Rice, Grass, Lemon, a touch of Pineapple Juice and a hint of Wet News Paper. After a while I get a light Metallic off-note as well.

Rating: ******  (Six out of Ten)

General Remarks: The Quilmes Brewery was founded in 1888 in the city of Quilmes by German immigrant Otto Bemberg. In 1920 it was already the most popular Brand in Buenos Aires and today it controls the Argentinean market with a share of around 75% (April 2015). Lots of soccer fans around the world will recognise the Brand as Quilmes sponsors the Argentine National Team and some well-known clubs as Boca Juniors from Buenos Aires. Today, Quilmes is a part of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Quilmes is exported to the USA, South - and Latin America, Australia and Europe. Quilmes uses local Barley, local Hops and Pure Patagonian Water in the production process.

Drinking Experience: Okay. Drink it cold and it's quite refreshing. But once it gets warmer, it becomes painfully Sweet and the Grassy/Vegetable notes become stronger and stronger.

Conclusion: Despite its decent ABV, Quilmes is a very light Adjunct Lager with overwhelming Corn and Rice characteristics. It's quite difficult to detect any significant Malt and Hops content. It's a Mass-Product without any specific signature Aromas and/or Flavours. It's quite refreshing on a hot day however as long as it's cold enough. Don't think, just drink! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                     April 16, 2015