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

Karavelle Keller Review

“Minor Shipwreck”

Country: Brazil 

Brand: Karavelle Keller

Brewery: Cervejaria Independente Vera Cruz SA, Indaiatuba (SP)
Package: Bottle (600 ml) 

Type: Keller Lager (Not Filtrated)

Age: NAS

ABV: 4,5%

Ingredients: Water, Malted Grains, Hops, Yeast.
Antioxidant: Not Indicated 
Stabiliser: Not Indicated

Colour: A Hazy Pale Golden. Remember this Beer is not Filtrated.

Foam: Thin, slightly Off-White Foam that disappears quickly. Only a very thin Layer of Foam remains in the glass while drinking your Karavelle. No traces of Foam remain in the glass once you finished it. 

Nose: Light with Cereals, White Bread, Dough, Yeast, Grass, Straw, Lemon and Caramel. Very Light Hops.

Palate: Light and Watery. Sweet at first but slightly Sour and with some Bitterness towards the end. The Carbonation is adequate. I find White Bread, Toasted Cereals, Grass, Hay, light Hops, Lemon, Banana and a Metallic note. 

The Brewery

Finish: Sweet and Soapy. Dry towards the end. Not very pleasant. I find Grass, Cereals, Dough, Yeast, light Hops, Caramel, Lemon, Banana and Artificial Sweetener.

Rating: ***** (Five out of Ten)

Karavelle Bar in Sao Paulo

General Remarks: The artisanal Vera Cruz Brewery was founded very recently in 2012. Thanks to a clever marketing strategy and distribution, the Karavelle Beers are already available in supermarkets and special shops in - and around Sao Paulo. The Brewery also possesses two Bars/Outlets in the city of Sao Paulo. Their communications director is the well-known Brazilian singer Seu Jorge. Currently, the Brewery produces six different styles of Beer namely IPA, Pilsen, Weiss, Keller, Porter and Red Ale.

Drinking Experience: Not very satisfying

Conclusion: I had some Keller beer in Germany but that was way back in the 1980's. So it's hard for me to say if this Karavelle Keller would stand up to its German peers. I tend to think not as I am not at all pleased with this version brewed in the interior of the state of Sao Paulo. The Nose is all Bread, Dough and Yeast and on the Palate it's Light and Watery. I miss balance as Sweet, Sour and Bitter seem to fight - rather than complement each other. The Finish is the less agreeable part. A dry Artificial Sweetener-like taste remains in your mouth for quite a while and does not inspire you to have another sip. I must try a couple of other Karavelle beers as well but this Keller expression is not at all to my liking. Won't buy it again. 

Jan van den Ende                                                                      June 4, 2015

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

Bohemia Imperial Review

“The Lost Empire”

Country: Brazil 

Brand: Bohemia Imperial

Bottler: Cervejaria Bohemia, Petropolis (RJ) 
Package: Bottle (550 ml) 

Type: Premium Lager (American Adjunct Lager Style)

Age: NAS

ABV: 4.7 %

Ingredients, Water, Malt, Unmalted Grains, Hops
Antioxidant: INS 316 
Stabiliser: INS 405

Colour: Golden Amber

Foam: Slightly Off-White Foam that dissipates very quickly. Although it's Creamy, it only leaves a thin head while you're enjoying your glass. Very few Laces remain in the glass once finished.

Nose: Light and Clean. There's not much going on in this department. It's mainly Biscuits, Bread, Malt and Toast with light Grassy Hop notes. It's not overly Sweet so I suspect a low Corn content. I also find some Citrus notes, basically Lemon. 

Palate: Medium-Light Body with adequate Carbonation. It's very Malty and slightly Sour. Again it's not overly Sweet and it does not possess that awkward Corn Syrup flavour. It does have a bit of Caramel and Butterscotch. I also find Light Floral Hops, Lemon and light Mineral tones.  

Finish: Short, Malty, slightly Herbal and Dry but with increasing Sweetness. It could do with a little more Bitterness here to get more balance. 

Rating: ******  (Six out of Ten)

The Home of Bohemia Imperial in Petropolis (RJ)

General Remarks: The Bohemia Brewery was founded in 1853 by Henrique Kremer, a German immigrant. Bohemia was the first Pilsen type of beer produced in Brazil. In the beginning, Bohemia brewed strong and bitter beers following the German traditions. But over time the recipe was gradually adapted to the local market that prefers Lighter and Sweeter beers. In 1960 Bohemia was bought by Antarctica Paulista and today it is part of the Anheuser-Inbev Group. Their main products include Pilsen, Weiss, Escura (Dark) and Confraria. Imperial is a special Expression that was launched to celebrate the fact that the Brewery in Petropolis was re-opened for the public. Its recipe was inspired by the special Beers brewed in the days of the Brazilian Empire but adjusted by Bohemia's Master Brewer to match today's demands.

Drinking Experience: Okay 

Conclusion: I suspect that this Bohemia expression is a far cry from the original Bohemia that was brewed in 1853. To me, today's Imperial is just another common Brazilian Adjunct Lager, produced to accommodate the Sweet palate of most Brazilian beer consumers. It only differs in the Mash-Bill where less Corn and, probably, more Rice and/or Wheat is used. The Imperial comes in a very neat bottle that somehow suggests something special. But that's not the case. In fact I prefer the regular Bohemia that I will review later this year.

Jan van den Ende                                                                      May 17, 2015

Black Princess Gold Review

“A Glass of White Bread”

Country: Brazil 

Brand: Black Princess Gold

Bottler: Cervejaria Petropolis S/A, Teresopolis (RJ) 
Package: Bottle (355 ml) 

Type: Pilsen (Premium American Lager)

Age: NAS

ABV: 4.7 %

Antioxidant: INS 316 and INS 223
Stabiliser: INS 405

Colour: Bright Gold

Foam: Thin White Foam that dissolves quickly. Only a thin layer of Foam lasts until you have finished the glass. Almost no laces remain afterwards.

Nose: Very Light and Thin. Grains and Supermarket White Bread dominate. Only a little hint of Hops. Quite Sweet for a Beer that apparently does not contain Corn. A very distant hint of White Grapes. There's nothing Premium to be found on the Nose.

Palate: Light, Watery and Medium-Sweet with a little Bitterness and Medium Carbonation. I find Grains, Malt, very light Hop and a Grassy note.

Finish: Basically Grain and Bread with a mild Bitterness that suggests that at least some Hop was used. Quite Dry towards the end with a very light Metallic aftertaste.

Rating: *****  (Five out of Ten)

The Castle of the Black Princess (Picture: Petropolis Group)

General Remarks: The Petropolis Brewery was founded in 1994 and is currently one of the Top 3 Breweries in Brazil. Its Brand Names include Itaipava, Crystal, Petra, Lokal and Black Princess Gold. The Group possesses five Breweries. They are located in Petropolis, Boituva, Teresopolis, Rondonopolis and Alagoinhas.The beer I'm reviewing today is produced from Water, Malted Barley and Imported Hops.

Drinking Experience: Okay   

Conclusion: Black Princess is more expensive than the ordinary Brazilian Lager Beers. But it does not justify that price difference. It totally lacks sufficient Aromas and Flavours and is quite Watery. It's a little less Sweet and a little more Bitter and that's all. I had expected more from the Black Princess. It's very easy to drink of course but so is Water! And that's a lot cheaper. At least for the time being. In short, I did not enjoy this expensive Glass of Supermarket Bread. Will try some other expressions from this Brewery later this year to see if the Black Princess Gold is the exception or the rule!  

Jan van den Ende                                                                      May 10, 2015