Labatt Crystal
Labatt Brewing Company Ltd.

Labatt CrystalLabatt Crystal
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From:
Labatt Brewing Company Ltd.
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
American Adjunct Lager
ABV:
5%
Score:
77
Avg:
3.15 | pDev: 22.54%
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
21
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 05, 2020
Added:
Feb 07, 2003
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  1
Labatt Crystal was introduced to Ontario in the late 1800s as one of the first lagers brewed by Labatt. World-renowned Saaz hops are used to give this beer a clean, almost sweet taste which nicely balances the fuller body, higher bitterness and richer taste typically associated with traditional lagers.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of spress
Reviewed by spress from Michigan

3.07/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.25
Back in the 80s we used to rent a cottage in Bayfield, ON. Even before getting to the cottage we'd stop at the LCBO store, and I'd pick up some liquor and some Crystal. What I liked about Crystal was that it was smooth and clean. It went down easily without any extra qualities competing with the basic beer essence. I couldn't find it in Michigan, where I lived, so I would look forward to it as a summer treat. I don't remember any smell or even the specific taste, but I savored the clean feel of it. Drinking Crystal was a peaceful, relaxing experience (compatible with Lake Huron). I haven't has any since then, but my tastes have evolved. I went through an ale phase, but now don't care for hoppy brews. I once again prefer lagers, preferably pilsners, but of a more flavorful strain. I'd probably find Crystal drinkable but boring.
Sep 05, 2020
Photo of FortyNorth
Reviewed by FortyNorth from Canada (ON)

2.25/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25
This was interesting. Risky to try as only sold in 24s (at least where we’re at). Drank cold out of bottle while fishing. Clean, smooth, maybe a bit sweet (actually similar to Bud). Initially pretty excited about found gold. BUT then came the weird soapy aftertaste! Left the case at my brother’s and he gave most away and pitched the rest.
May 02, 2019
 
Rated: 2.54 by Electros from Canada (ON)

Apr 08, 2017
 
Rated: 2.84 by OneTuffPony from Canada (ON)

Sep 21, 2016
 
Rated: 2.5 by fortyfield from Canada (ON)

Jan 27, 2016
Photo of docoman
Reviewed by docoman from Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +34.9%
Everytime I'm in Canada on yearly fishing trip cannot beat this beer after long day on the water. Very refreshing, drinks more like a light beer, but good on those hot days.
Nov 25, 2014
Photo of misternebbie
Reviewed by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
one of the 1st , 5 % ABV's I can remember drinking back in the 70's , this beer was must for American beer drinkers traveling to Canada, I have revised over the years and its one of those things like leasure suits that just don't hold up today! much beer beer being brewed now
Sep 13, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by beerhunter13 from Canada (ON)

May 03, 2014
 
Rated: 2.85 by ZachT from Canada (BC)

Oct 10, 2013
Photo of thehyperduck
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)

3.22/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
341 mL bottle from a 24 picked up at TBS; served ice cold. This is one of those brands that is only available by the case, and ONLY at Beer Stores, and isn't one of the cheaper lagers on the big board - so unless you live in NW Ontario there's a good chance you've never seen the stuff, let alone tried it. I know I sure hadn't.

Pours a bright-golden yellow colour, clear as day, topped with two fingers of soapy, frothy white head that takes a surprisingly long time to recede. A smooth, fairly creamy cap results, in addition to plenty of sticky strands of lacing. I can't find anything to complain about visually, so let's move onto the aroma - which is so mild I can barely find any adjectives to use to describe it. It's a little corny, with a grassy quality to it... clean by AAL standards, but give me something I can use!

Fortunately, the flavour isn't quite as understated, with very little of those cardboard or corn syrup flavours I find in most macro lagers. This one starts off with some grainy pale malt sweetness, with a faint twinge of corn husk followed by a pleasant grassy note. Off-dry finish, with some sweetness that doesn't linger. Thin-bodied and pretty watery, with very high carbonation that gives this beer a biting texture and some bloatiness. Other than that though, it's easy to drink quickly and in large quantities.

Final Grade: 3.23, a serviceable-in-a-pinch C+. Labatt Crystal is probably one of the better basic lagers in their portfolio, which may be why it has no market penetration around here. Let's be realistic - this is still just a random crappy lager that most BAs have no real reason to bother with (it has been around much longer than I have and still only has 11 reviews), but as far as pale yellow fizzy adjunct stuff goes, this one is a notch or two above most of the competition. I picked up this 24 because I needed something to drink socially on the weekend, and it was on sale for 6 dollars off ($30 cases are a bit of a rarity if you're not a Lakeport/James Ready kind of guy). But unless it remains that cheap, I doubt I'll be getting this again any time soon. Give it a go if you're a fan of the style and looking for a new session option, or even if you're a Labatt 50 fan looking for something sort of similar but cheaper.
Oct 05, 2013
Photo of robdip9
Reviewed by robdip9 from Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +47%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Time: July 1st 2012 (the year of our supposed demise)
Place: Thunder Bay, ON

Words are yet to be discovered and the human brain is far from understanding the sensation this beer will create for whomever possesses. It is evident that Labatt is merely a front company and that the literal gods of beer had a more active role in the creation of this special brew. The existence of Labatt Crystal is a sign for all man/womankind that we are truly blessed. It is currently up for submission as one of the wonders of the modern world (Please call your congressman or member of parliament to help this cause)

In closing, best liquid you could consume, ever.
Sep 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by lwadd from Canada (ON)

Dec 25, 2012
 
Rated: 2 by ThinkAgain from Canada (ON)

Jan 06, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by rbuisson from Canada (MB)

Nov 25, 2011
Photo of andrenaline
Reviewed by andrenaline from Canada (ON)

2.9/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A staple in my hometown of Thunder Bay. Having had the opportunity to taste some tasty brews, I'm surprised this is the 'pride' of this brew in my hometown.

A - Pours a crystal clear pale golden straw colour, thin layer of head with no retention or lacing.

S - Quite mild with grassy hops that dominate the nose. Tough to detect much else.

T - Flavours is reminiscent of a light lager, grassy hops dominate with a touch of bitterness, sweet corn and bread on the finish.

M - A tad dry on the finish, but goes down smooth and is easily drinkable.

O - It's cheap and I wouldn't turn one down but it's certainly nothing to go out of your way to get your hands on. Rather bland and as much as the selection is weak in my hometown, there's plenty better offerings available.
Sep 25, 2011
Photo of drinkininthewood
Reviewed by drinkininthewood from Canada (ON)

3.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Served from a brown 341 twist off bottle into a lager glass.

A- Light golden in color, Soda pop type fizzyness with a small head but it does lace surprisingly. Much better looking than what i expected.

S- Metallic, with some malt. Fairly sweet.

T- Very light flavor. A little citrus at the start. Czech saaz hops make it very clean tasting with nice malt flavor. Generally pretty sweet finish.

M- Crisp,Clean,light bodied, with moderate carbonation.

D- Not alot of flavor in this beer, but an excellent session beer, great at the end of a hot day at work>very refreshing and drinkable.

Overall a very decent, incredibly easy drinking lager beer. Not alot of flavor but just enough to make it wicked refreshing.
Jun 07, 2007
Photo of Frozensoul327
Reviewed by Frozensoul327 from Michigan

2.75/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Not an amazing brew, but not terrible either. Had a few of these last weekend in Sault, Ontario. Poured out to a light yellow color, with a big bubbly head that dissipated fast, but left some lace. Slightly sweet and citrus odors were present. Flavor was mediocre, but straight forward, with overtones of hops, malt and corn. This isn't real common, and I can see why. But i'd welcome it on American shelves any day if it displaced AB products. Worth a try.
Apr 06, 2005
Photo of ahking
Reviewed by ahking from Michigan

3.1/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Had this for the first time today. Imported this to the States myself from Ontario (i.e. smuggled across the border in my trunk from the Beer Store). Pours a standard golden lager color with an impressive head for a adjunct beer (disappears fairly quickly, but leaves a bit of lace). A little too sweet for my taste. Hops are present but a little too malty (and you can taste the corn adjunct). However, this is sort of a unique flavor. Sort of a cotton-candy-sugar smell, faint tinge of pine flavor from the hops. The more it warms, the more evident the hops become. The can indicates it's naturally aged, but I am not sure what that means. No preservatives which is a plus for a macro. 5% ABV is quite good for a "lighter" lager.
Feb 05, 2005
Photo of pootz
Reviewed by pootz from Canada (ON)

3.06/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is an Ontario beer that has been around forever. I remember my Dad and Uncles drinking it on the porch in the humid Great Lakes summers back in the 50s. According to a local brewery historian this was one of John S Labatt's experimental brews back in the late 1800. It was introduced to Ontario only and was a first attempt by a Canadian Brewer to offer a light lager.

I have no way of telling how many changes it has undergone in Labatt's long corporate history but this is a pretty standard Canadian lager made with quality ingredients, in the vein of "Blue” but it has a slightly different character.

Presentation: Standard Canuck longneck twist top with lot code and date. Labels espouses a product that id "naturally aged, no preservatives, cool , clear, lager"

Pours a crystal very clear dark straw color with a lively white 2 finger head that reduces quickly to a lace that hugs the side of the glass all the way though the drink. Highly effervescent. Slight aromas of boiled grains and hop,

Starts crisp with hop - effervescence and a slight citrus hit then mellows to a sweeter malty mouth feel then finishes fairly clean with a lingering malt taste.

It comes off as a lightly pilsen-hopped sweet-malt lager with a lot of effervescence to give tang to the tongue (slight citrus).

A good standard Canadian lager without any really outstanding character but pleasant enough as a thirst quencher.
Nov 16, 2003
Photo of tavernjef
Reviewed by tavernjef from Minnesota

3.1/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Offered up by a neighboring camper while finishing a late night campfire dinner along the east shores of Lake Superior in Canada, eh. Always easy to share a beer and stories with a good campfire.

This strange Labatt brew is a bit uneven in just about every aspect. The color seemed to split from top to bottom like a black & tan, the top being solid gold, straw-like in color where as the bottom was a lighter diluted yellow, a small whiteish head about a finger high came out on top but said goodbye within a second. Smell is uneven as well, with a musty hop, lightly citrusy, and a real weird raw oatmeal quality that seemed to dart in one nostril and out the other. Taste is lightly floral hops, quite subdued in approach, it stands up with good sweetish caramel malts and some grains of bread floating lightly in the mix. Again, there seemed to be empty spots, and some odd mixing of flavors and textures that were just to light to get a good hold on. It was a good beer to have while enjoying our stories and fire, luckily I had my Unibroue's to back me up afterwards.
Good luck in Alaska Kevin.
Jun 02, 2003
Labatt Crystal from Labatt Brewing Company Ltd.
Beer rating: 77 out of 100 with 21 ratings