So, Friday evening got away from me quick and as exciting as it was I had ended up crashing way earlier then I ever have before on a Friday night.  I did have a chance to drink a beer or two before crashing so have no fear.  But frankly, I didn't get a chance to take any good notes from it or take a picture.  So, today's review is coming from a beer I am drinking last night and am "re-drinking" today to get some inspiration.  Unfortunately with Heineken - I think I'll need more inspiration then a next day sampling can bring.  I seem to remember back as a kid when Heineken was a "PREMIUM QUALITY" beer.  Granted, that was back before micro-brewery and craft brewing was what it is today. So, maybe the competition today is to much to large to have Heineken compete.  One thing that surprises me is investigating this label - it states that the beer should be served at 40-45 degrees.  Who knew?  I'm always so used to drinking this straight out the fridge.  Maybe that is a reason this beer does not tickle my taste buds as it might.

The Heineken beer pours a very bright yellow.  The head holds a very thin head.  And the carbonation is not bubbling through this glass as I've seen from other brews.  The smell is a slightly metallic smell.  I almost get the sense that I'm drinking a beer from a can but this is most definitely a bottled brew.  I think as I'm doing this I'm learning that my aversion to certain beers may be the "LAGER" that I once held high in my heart.  It seems that the lager style beers have some off smells flavors that I am not particular too.  If you are not aware yeast is a major part of beer - it is actually the second component next to the barley sugars that creates the alcohol.  In the brewing process when the brew is left to ferment the yeast is a living organism that sits in the pot of sugary goodness and goes to town.  The by product of fermentation is two part; part 1 is carbon dioxide; part 2 is alcohol.  Now, this was something that wasn't readily known in the beer world until honestly quite recently, like the last 100 years or so.  Now, yeast... one of the greatest godly inventions out there (arguably) comes in two general styles when it comes to brewing.  Ale and Lager yeasts.  Can anyone tell me what the major difference is between these two?  Well, if you want to get all scientific - I have no idea.  I really wish I would have studying harder in high school and college when it came to science.  What I know is the major difference is the temperature at which these yeasts function and the area that they work.  Lager yeasts work at much lower temperatures in the range of 38-50 degree.  Ale yeasts on the other hand work at a higher temp, usually in the 60-74 degrees and are top fermenters.  In general, it is easier to work with Ale yeasts when home brewing because you just need a cooler basement.  With Lager Yeasts, you have to get creative and find a way to get your wort to be in the 40 degree temp for roughly 14-21 days, not always a easy task.

As I was saying, lately Lagers do not seem to agree with my tastes.  This one is no different.  It isn't an offensive taste.  It isn't even like a really economy taste beer that has that CORN mash taste.  No, this beer comes across with a light hop flavor to it.  I guess I can get some malt sweetness in the taste.  There is some sort of "off flavor" to me.  It honestly tastes like that 'can taste' so many people complain about when drinking beers from a can.  I don't particularly no if the 'can taste' is real or perceived; and reality is that 'can taste' typically comes from low end beers and/or the big 3 company.  So, it is really hard for me to pin point exactly what that is.  I'm sure there are experts out there that no exactly how to explain it.  This Lager is really light in texture and just not a lot of body to really give it any shock and awe.  Now, I know I know, We are not always looking for a shock and awe style beer.  That said, if you aren't looking for a shock and awe style beer, if you are into a lager style taste, maybe this is just your beer.

Cheers and salute!  I'm going to pour my self a glass of Paisano Red and prepare for today's blog selection._