Bionda Sardegna – Ichnusa

Here is another beer I picked up some time ago when I was visiting the Italian capital of Rome. I have to say that Sardinian beer was among the better ones that I have tasted during that week of Italian beers.

• Name: Ichnusa
• Brewery: Heineken Italia
• City: Milan
• Country: Italy

Ishnusa looks like another typical lager. It’s clean and golden in appearance, complemented by two fingers of white foamy head on the top, which dissipates somewhat quick (but not too quick). The smell is again typical and nothing special – a pretty neutral malty and grainy aroma that is. The taste – again something we have seen so many times. Slightly watery, it has a sweet beginning, followed by a slightly hoppy continuation. All this comes together for a pleasant slightly bitter finish.

It may not seem special, and the truth is that it really isn’t, but drinking one of these on a hot and tiring day, really makes everything seem much better. A nice and refreshing lager which runs very smoothly down your throat.

• Style: Pale Lager
• ABV: 4,7%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops, corn

RATINGS

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

When in Rome… : Peroni

A couple of days ago I have returned from a weekend break in Italy, which is also home to today’s beer. Although I had this beer on several occassions before, I still give it a try whenever I’m in Italy.

• Name: Peroni
• Brewery: Birra Peroni Industriale (SABMiller)
• City: Rome
• Country: Italy

This Italian lager pours out with a clear golden color and with a thin, quickly disappearing white head. The aroma is very weak and neutral. There is only a slight addition of grains and a touch of hops. Now, what to say about the taste? Well, the truth is Peroni doesn’t offer much of it. There is just the initial sweetness, which is followed by almost nothing. It all finishes with a slightly bitter(ish) aftertaste, but that’s just not enough.

Peroni is definitely not the best Italian beer out there. But, when walking around Italian cities and the heat is on, even Peroni get the job done perfectly. So my suggestion is, give it a try. You may not be exicted about it, but it is still a decent refreshment, which goes perfectly with the Italian culinary specialty, pizza.

• Style: Pale Lager
• ABV: 4,7%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, corn, hops

• Slogan: “Chiamami Peroni, sarò la tua birra!” (Call Me Peroni, I’ll be Your Beer!)

RATINGS

• Appearance: 3,5 / 5
• Smell: 2,5 / 5
• Taste: 2,5 / 5
• Overall: 2,5 / 5

The Italian: Peroni Nastro Azzurro

The beer I’m presenting today is one of my favourite Italian beer, if not THE favourite one. Although probably not the best one when quality is concerned, it has more to do with the situation of our meeting.

• Name: Peroni Nastro Azzurro
• Brewery: Birra Peroni Industriale (SABMiller)
• City: Roma
• Country: Italy

Peroni Nastro Azzurro fills the glass with a beautiful clear and golden color, which is topped with a fairly decent and resistant white head. The whole content of the glass is very bubbly which already now promises a very refreshing beer, which is exactly what you need on a hot summer’s day. The aroma is exactly what you would expect from a lager – a slightly skunky malty aroma with the slight addition of some grains. The taste is very light and quite plain, dominated by the sweetness of the malts. All in all, it may seem like nothing out of the ordinary, but combine it with a hot sunny day, and you get yourself a very decent refreshment.

• Style: Premium Lager
• ABV: 5.1%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, corn, yeast, hops

• Slogan: “C’è più gusto a essere Italiani!” (It’s More Fun Being Italian!)

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4.5 / 5
• Smell: 3.5 / 5
• Taste: 3.5 / 5
• Overall: 3.5 / 5