Hey Everybody, welcome back to the Brew Review. Anybody up for a rave? No? How about a Euro beer sans rave then? Still no? I can understand why. In today’s brew review we tackle a European Lager that leaves me wondering why people think so highly of imports when compared to domestic brews.
About Grolsch
Let’s go Dutch! Founded in 1615 by Peter Cuyper in the town of Grol. Peter was working at his father in laws brewery in the Netherlands and eventually became a Guild Master of Brewing and is responsible for the methods of brewing used by Grolsch to this day.
About Grolsch’s Premium Lager
Grolsch’s Premium Lager is a standard Dutch style lager that has been brewed for nearly 4 centuries. The beer gets its unique flavor from a distinct stain of yeast. Grolsch’s Premium Lager is brewed with a bottom fermentation process and incorporates the two types of Hops that are credited to being discovered by Peter in the 1600′s. Grolsch comes in at 5% ABV and they say is best served very cold.
My review
The Package
The packaging for Grolsch can be cool if you get one of the pop top corked bottles. However that wasn’t the type of bottle I had. So the first mistake Grolsch makes is the same mistake Heineken makes. The green bottle. Get it out of here it does nothing but help that UV light skunk up your beer. Second is that the beer had no label, just the word Grolsch extended from the side of the glass. That could be cool, but you can’t read or see it unless holding it in your hand.
The Pour
You can tell this beer is light. It has a very light color and is very thin looking. It poured with a thin head. I was surprised to see that it actually left a little lacing down the side of the glass.
The Nose
Grolsch’s Premium has a nice nose. Flowers and Hoppiness it was simple and pleasant.
The Palate
I am pretty sure you went to school with this beer. His name was Hanz he looked like Euro trash and really liked clubbing. You never invited him anywhere, but if he was around you kind of enjoyed hanging out with him.
Hanz is this beer. It is skunky and bitter, but has a crisp refreshing quality to it at the same time. It’s combination of florals, yeast, and bitterness really make it different. You also get a hint of metal in there.
I am really not sure about this beer. I wanted to dislike it after tasting it, but something about it just says… OK, I could have another.
If you are in the mood to expiriment then pick one up otherwise leave this one alone. If you are in England and you like this (Danny) let me know if it is your first choice or even popular.
The Rating
3 out of 5 Beers
The Discussion
This site is just me talking without you. If you have had this beer be sure to leave a review of it below in the comments. If you haven’t let me know what your feelings on imports vs domestics. If you really liked it subscribe to get email updates.
I know this aweful, but everytime, I think about Europe, I think of that movie XXX. When he goes to that rave and that keeps saying Anarchy 99. God Bless America, Europe you can have this beer and Vin Disel!
This is not my first choice when it comes to euro beers (try some German Hefeweizen or other German beer) but I like this beer. I guess I like Hanz.
What is your first choice?
The first one I have to say is WARSTEINER I am not the expert like you on reviewing so I do not want to say you will like it. I like it. Now as in more I have to do some research in what you can find in the stores around here. This is a good start. Could also try ST. paulie girl.
I have had Warsteiner, they serve it at Tony’s Pizza. Not bad. I haven’t had it recently though so if I were to review it I would have to taste it again.
ANARCHY 99!!! Damn peach thats my favorite part of that movie!
I will say this, The dark grolsch with the corked top is a great beer. Strong and powerful. I won’t be trying this one.
So your a fan of the dark beers Dave? Well wait for the review of the Dark Lord. That shit was so thick it was barely considered a liquid.
Yes Adam, I’m a pure German through & through, I love dark, warm (just below room temp.) beer/ale. Even though the King is a pale American lager it’s taste is somewhat like a dark lager. Because it’s pale it has to be iced cold. Give me a dark beer/ale and I’m in heaven, that and a good hot sausage loaded with saurkraut, there’s nothin better!!!
I am an amber guy. I love them red/orange in color. The hops is what I go for.
Definitely goes with the sausage and kraut. But I am pretty sure I could drink piss while eating sausage and kraut.
Haven’t heard of the Dark Lord, I’ll take a look the next time I’m in a real liquor store. Wanatah is just a Seagrams and King package stop. I’m not into trendies so I’ll have to look at it a bit before I decide or wait for your review on it. Dark Lord sounds trendy to me!
Do you intentionally pour your beer to get more head?! I swear, in the pictures you post there is more head than I have ever seen in my glasses.
On a second note, once my tax return comes in I will finally start collecting supplies to start the brew process. I currently have 24 bottles and the capacity to store 48.
Robbie,
I do pour with the intention of leaving a good head. You are supposed to so that you open up the carbonation to release the flavor and aroma of the beer.
I can’t wait.I wish you luck with your new brew. I will hopefully get enough bday cash to get my kit.
Wow, I had no idea that you were supposed to do that! I have always been taught to tilt the glass and go for as little head as possible. I never really thought it would change the flavor of the beer.
You pour a beer straight down the middle of the glass and let the head perk up to the top. Like Adam said, it brings out the full flavor that you’re supposed to taste (and stick your nose in!). Bar tenders and most people who pour beers tilt the glass to make the glass full when they serve it, BIG NO NO!!! They don’t want to wait for the head to settle (with a good beer the head won’t settle, it’ll still be in the bottom of the glass when you’re done drinking it), and, customers would complain their glass isn’t full!
Damn right. “My beer is to foamy, you didn’t fill it all the way.” I bartended for for 4 years, you know how many times I heard that shit. Idiots. When you pour it down the middle of the glass you release all the carbonation so rather than getting the tingly bubbly feeling, almost like drinking pop, in your mouth you get a beer that is smoother and easier to drink, and tastes a hell of a lot better.
Even the King will give you “good head”! Unfortunately it disappears pretty quickly.
Damn, I haven’t had a King in awhile. I’m a little ashamed to admit that since that was all I drank when i started drinking beer at like 18 years old. I might have to hit up the liquor store for at least a six pack.
I pour down the side for about half the beer then dump the rest down the middle. It breaks up the beer and builds a nice head. I want to get as much out of it as possible, without having to wait 10 minutes to take a drink.
And because we live by the laws of beer we are forbidden from using the oil on our noises to break that head down.