Summer Surprise – Osječko Black Radler

This radler was a pleasant discovery during this long-gone-now summer. I have already said that several varieties of radlers have really spread across our part of Europe in the recent years. But this was the first combination of dark beer and lemon. And it was great.

• Name: Osječko Black Radler
• Brewery: Osječka Pivovara
• City: Osijek
• Country: Croatia

The name already suggests the color of this beer, which is dark brown, almost black. The glass is topped with a weak, creamy head, which settles down immediatley. The nose picks up the citrusy aroma, thanks to the lemon, and slightly malty, roasted and chocolatey aroma, thanks to the dark beer. The taste is pleasant. It starts sweet, with the refreshing zing of lemon juice, and is then followed by the soury and roasted taste of the beer. The end lacks a bit of bitterness, but we’ll let that one slip by.

All in all, I have to admit this is a very nice mixture that brings exactly as it promises: dark beer and some lemonade. It is extremelly refreshing and easy to drink, and a perfect alternatiove to all the other typical radlers out there.

• Style: Fruit Beer
• ABV: 2%
• Ingredients: water, sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, barley malt, corn grits, dark caramel malt, hops

RATINGS

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

• Bottle: 4 / 5

Dalmatian: Hajdučko

I am finally back from my Balkan Tour. The first country I visited was the newest member of the EU, and our southern neighbour, Croatia, where I stopped in the beautiful town of Dubrovnik. Since I have been to Croatia several times, I didn’t go for the country’s most popular beers, such as Ožujsko, Karlovačko or Pan, which I have had several times, but I decided to try the Dalmatian beer Hajdučko, named after Split’s famous and extremelly popular football team Hajduk.

• Name: Hajdučko
• Brewery: Carlsberg Croatia
• City: Koprivnica
• Country: Croatia

To be fair, Hajdučko is definitely not the best Croatian beer I have had, but it’s just one of those average mainstream lager that can be found almost anywhere. It comes in golden color with a very small white head. The aroma is typicaly malty and grainy, whereas the taste is slightly sweet with a bitterish finish.

Nothing special about this one. Just another of the average lagers, although it has to be said there’s nothing bad about it, it’s refreshing and quite easy to drink.

• Style: Pale Lager
• ABV: 5%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops, yeast

RATINGS

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

The Croatian Sensation: Pan Lager

Today I’m presenting my beer of choice during the summer holidays on the beautiful Croatian coast.

• Name: Pan Lager
• Brewery: Carlsberg Croatia
• City: Koprivnica
• Country: Croatia

Pan Lager is one of my favourite beers and one of the best lagers out there to enjoy it during the summer heat. It pours out with all the characteristics of a lager: clear, golden color and two fingers of white head which settles down quickly. The aroma is pretty neural, slightly skunky, slightly malty and slightly hopps – nothing special really. The taste is sweet and just a tad watery, but not too much. The finish is pleasantly bitter, with the hoppiness lingering on your tongue for some time.

In truth, Pan Lager is nothing special. Don’t get me wrong, it’s better than most of the lagers I have tried, but it’s best quality is the combination of taste and ice cold refreshment. Try one while lying in the hot Croatian sun, and you will understand what I’m trying to say.

• Style: Pale Lager
• ABV: 4,8%
• Ingredients: water, baley malt, yeast, hops

RATINGS

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