Category Archives: Albania

08.13.13
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Birra Shqiptare: Korça Bjonde

The next destination on my tour was Albania – to be more precise it’s coastal resort town of Durres and the country’s capital town of Tirana. I have tried a fair number of their domestic beers. The best one among them is presented here.

  • Name: Korça Bjonde
  • Brewery: Birra Korça
  • City: Korça
  • Country: Albania

Korca Bjonde

This is, in my opinion, the best Albania has to offer when talking about beer. Korça is a very pleasant pilsener which pour out with a nice golden color and about two fingers of white foamy head. Definitely looks nice. The aroma is a combination of malts, grains and hops. All together it had a very inviting and straightforward pilsener smell. What to say of the taste? There is just a minimum presence of sweetness (which is nice, a step away from other generally sweet beers out there). The taste is mildly bitter and hoppy, with a slightly bitter finish.

The final word is that it is a very tasty pilsener, it’s easy to drink and it runs very smoothly down your throat, especially during these heat waves we’re having right now. A definite must try if you can get it.

  • Style: Pilsener
  • ABV: 4,5%
  • Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops

RATINGSALBA0001

  • Appearance: 4 / 5
  • Smell: 4 / 5
  • Taste: 4 / 5
  • Overall: 4 / 5
07.17.13
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The Summer Effect: Birra Tirana

In light of my upcoming trip (in a couple of weeks now), I’m dealing with an Albanian beer that I got a few years ago during my holidays on the Greek island of Corfu, which is only a stone’s throw away from Albania.

  • Name: Birra Tirana
  • Brewery: Birra Malto
  • City: Tirana
  • Country: Albania

Birra Tirana Premium Pils

Named after the country’s capital, Birra Tirana is exactly the kind of lager I want to have by my side during the summer heat. It pours out of the bottle with the typical clear, golden color, and a finger of white and quickly dissipating white head. The aroma is neutral – slightly skunky and grainy/hoppy. It’s light and watery. You can taste the sweetness of the malts upfront, followed by a slighty bitter and hoppy finish.

This Albanian beer is very drinkable and smooth, and a perfect solution for the summer. The summer beer at its finest.

  • Style: Pale Lager
  • ABV: 4%
  • Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops

RATINGSALBA0001

  • Appearance: 4 / 5
  • Smell: 3,5 / 5
  • Taste: 4 / 5
  • Overall: 4 / 5