Pirate of the Caribbean: Cubanero Fuerte

I always like to try exotic beers, so I was naturally excited when my friend brought me this Cuban beer (it’s considered exotic here in a country full of Central European beers). This Caribbean beer is sometimes also produced under the name of Bucanero Fuerte, but as I could conclude, it is the same beer.

• Name: Cubanero Fuerte
• Brewery: Cerveceria Bucanero
• City: Holguin
• Country: Cuba

Here we have another beer with a typical lager-like appearance – a clear and golden body, highly carbonated and topped with about a finger of white head which settles down to almost nothing quite quickly. The aroma, although nothing unseen, is pleasant. There is a smell of malts together with some grainy aroma. Perhaps also a slight presence of hops. The taste is light and slightly watery, but still very decent. It starts sweet (not too much) with grainy taste following until the finish which proved to be decently bitter.

A very nice and refreshing beer which runs down very smoothly especially when met with a hot day. Although it is nothing special, this beer still reaches slightly above the average lager quality. But if you would down a couple of these in its natural environment, it would probably seem like the best beer in the world at that time. It all depends on the situation.

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

RATINGS

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

La Preferida de Cuba: Palma Cristal

Imagine the situation. A scorching hot day. You’re lying in the shade on the palm tree on one of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen, with the turquoise see just a few steps away. And in your hand you’re holding a bottle of ice cold beer – does it get any better than that?

• Name: Palma Cristal
• Brewery: Cerveceria Bucanero (InBev)
• City: Holguin
• Country: Cuba

One of the most popular beers of this Caribbean country pours out of the bottle with a typical clear and golden color, topped with a decent white head, which settles down quite quickly. The smell is almost non-present, as is the case with several other lagers out there. The only thing noticeable in the smell is perhaps a very miniature presence of some grains. The taste is quite light, watery and bland. It starts on the sweet side, with a slight presence of hoppy bitterness in the aftertaste. A completely non-offensive beer, but on the other hand also nothing special.

• Style: Pale Lager
• ABV: 4,9%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, sugar, hops

• Slogan: “La preferida de Cuba!” (Cuba’s Favourite!)

RATINGS

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