Amstel Light | Amstel Brouwerij B. V.
Brewed by:
Amstel Brouwerij B. V.
Netherlands
amstel.com
Style: Light Lager
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 3.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
ABV in the USA is 4.1%
Added by BeerAdvocate on 02-07-2001
Ratings: 1,542 | Reviews: 498
Reviews by divineaudio:
More User Reviews:
3.65/5 rDev +50.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Yet another beer that snobs love to rip on. I tend to like beers that I don't have to chew on, taste like coffee or chocolate or fruit. Amstel Light fits my tastes. A tasty refreshing beer I can drink anytime. This beer does not deserve so many terrible ratings, get over yourselves people.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Yet another beer that snobs love to rip on. I tend to like beers that I don't have to chew on, taste like coffee or chocolate or fruit. Amstel Light fits my tastes. A tasty refreshing beer I can drink anytime. This beer does not deserve so many terrible ratings, get over yourselves people.
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2.93/5 rDev +21.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
As a guy who prefers high alcohol micro brews and full bodied flavor this is not bad for a light, low alcohol alternative. Better than Bud Light (by miles) and superior to Miller Lite and Coors Light. All you beer snobs who want to hack on it, accept it for what it is a decent resemblance of a real beer in lower calorie and lower alcohol form.
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look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
As a guy who prefers high alcohol micro brews and full bodied flavor this is not bad for a light, low alcohol alternative. Better than Bud Light (by miles) and superior to Miller Lite and Coors Light. All you beer snobs who want to hack on it, accept it for what it is a decent resemblance of a real beer in lower calorie and lower alcohol form.
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2.38/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
This beer definitely is on the higher end of light beer, this has a somewhat darker color compared to most light beers, it has a light malt scent. The malt flavor seems to follow throughout the beer with a highly carbonated finish with a hint of european hops.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
This beer definitely is on the higher end of light beer, this has a somewhat darker color compared to most light beers, it has a light malt scent. The malt flavor seems to follow throughout the beer with a highly carbonated finish with a hint of european hops.
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3.42/5 rDev +41.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Never mind me - I'm just doing the CAN CAN on Veterans' Day! CAN you dig it?
My pour netted a little better than a finger's worth of bubbly, rocky bone-white head with low retention. The color was a light golden-yellow with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a slight grassiness underlain by a cereal quality. Mouthfeel was medium with a lightly sweet vanilla taste in the mouth. Very different from many of the CANned light beers that I have drank of late. Finish was slightly dry, kind of refreshing. It would probably be more satisfying on a hot day.
I now have a bottle on Sa, 21 Mai 2016 and I feel compelled to revisit it with a review.
From the bottle: "Inspired, enlightened, free of inhibition and full of life - this bier from Amsterdam, is a reflection of those who brew it as well as those who drink it."
I Pop!ped the cap & let fly with a heavy-handed pour. This produced two fingers of dense, bone-white head that reminded me of marshmallow Fluf until it gently fell away, leaving nice lacing as its legacy. Color was Pale-Straw (SRM = 1 - 2) with NE-plus quality clarity. I could see through it & into the future, where I was drinking yet another beer! Nose had that tang of fermented corn that always reminds me of silage when I was a kid standing downwind of a farm while on my maternal grandparents' property. Unpleasant? Eh. I have gotten used to it in AALs & their lighter versions, plus I used to dig watching the chute open, the fermented mash spill out & the piggies come running. Now, the piggies come running any time that I open MY mouth! Mouthfeel was thin, kind of watery, but what would you expect in the style? The taste was bland, lightly sweetish with a definite corn presence, mostly unobtrusive. Finish was semi-dry, the yeast having done its job & sucked the sugar dry, but not so prevalently as to make it entirely dry. I now understand the difference between Michelob & Michelob Dry in the late 1980s. Damn, I'm getting nostalgic again ...
1,974 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Never mind me - I'm just doing the CAN CAN on Veterans' Day! CAN you dig it?
My pour netted a little better than a finger's worth of bubbly, rocky bone-white head with low retention. The color was a light golden-yellow with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a slight grassiness underlain by a cereal quality. Mouthfeel was medium with a lightly sweet vanilla taste in the mouth. Very different from many of the CANned light beers that I have drank of late. Finish was slightly dry, kind of refreshing. It would probably be more satisfying on a hot day.
I now have a bottle on Sa, 21 Mai 2016 and I feel compelled to revisit it with a review.
From the bottle: "Inspired, enlightened, free of inhibition and full of life - this bier from Amsterdam, is a reflection of those who brew it as well as those who drink it."
I Pop!ped the cap & let fly with a heavy-handed pour. This produced two fingers of dense, bone-white head that reminded me of marshmallow Fluf until it gently fell away, leaving nice lacing as its legacy. Color was Pale-Straw (SRM = 1 - 2) with NE-plus quality clarity. I could see through it & into the future, where I was drinking yet another beer! Nose had that tang of fermented corn that always reminds me of silage when I was a kid standing downwind of a farm while on my maternal grandparents' property. Unpleasant? Eh. I have gotten used to it in AALs & their lighter versions, plus I used to dig watching the chute open, the fermented mash spill out & the piggies come running. Now, the piggies come running any time that I open MY mouth! Mouthfeel was thin, kind of watery, but what would you expect in the style? The taste was bland, lightly sweetish with a definite corn presence, mostly unobtrusive. Finish was semi-dry, the yeast having done its job & sucked the sugar dry, but not so prevalently as to make it entirely dry. I now understand the difference between Michelob & Michelob Dry in the late 1980s. Damn, I'm getting nostalgic again ...
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3.5/5 rDev +44.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is a decently brewed light lager. Don't rate it down just because it's not an IPA; rate it against its own comparative brews. Compared to other light lagers, this is a well-balanced, not overly grainy or adjunct-y light lager that is crisp and refreshing.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is a decently brewed light lager. Don't rate it down just because it's not an IPA; rate it against its own comparative brews. Compared to other light lagers, this is a well-balanced, not overly grainy or adjunct-y light lager that is crisp and refreshing.
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4/5 rDev +65.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I was surprised to see how this beer got such low ratings! I think people need to understand that this is a LIGHT beer! There is no way it can compete with a full bodied lager..just no way. BA should start creating classifications for beers to be review.
However, this beer in the light category has no peers..none that I know of anyway...and feel it pretty closely is brewed in accordance with the purity law.
I certainly CAN NOT say that about any of the other light beers we all know of: Miller Light, Bud Light, etc...which is made with corn and GMOs... Amstel Light is real beer...
It maintains a head, decently all the way down, and laces the sides of the glass just like a real beer. It's flavor is pretty typical Euro-Lager, but just a lighter version with less taste. It also can be spoiled by light as well..even more illustrating it's close proximity to the purity law...
Be sure you buy fresh supplies as you would with any import beer that is brewed in accordance with the purity law!
Always remember: 'If it's skunk, it's junk'...
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I was surprised to see how this beer got such low ratings! I think people need to understand that this is a LIGHT beer! There is no way it can compete with a full bodied lager..just no way. BA should start creating classifications for beers to be review.
However, this beer in the light category has no peers..none that I know of anyway...and feel it pretty closely is brewed in accordance with the purity law.
I certainly CAN NOT say that about any of the other light beers we all know of: Miller Light, Bud Light, etc...which is made with corn and GMOs... Amstel Light is real beer...
It maintains a head, decently all the way down, and laces the sides of the glass just like a real beer. It's flavor is pretty typical Euro-Lager, but just a lighter version with less taste. It also can be spoiled by light as well..even more illustrating it's close proximity to the purity law...
Be sure you buy fresh supplies as you would with any import beer that is brewed in accordance with the purity law!
Always remember: 'If it's skunk, it's junk'...
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2.94/5 rDev +21.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I don't think this beer is awful. It has its place an almost always available low alcohol beer. I would absolutely drink this over Budweiser beers or Coors.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I don't think this beer is awful. It has its place an almost always available low alcohol beer. I would absolutely drink this over Budweiser beers or Coors.
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3.6/5 rDev +48.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle served in pilsner glass.
Appearance: pours a thick, pillowy white head that drops slowly with little to no lacing. Color is clear pale straw with moderate streaming carbonation.
Aroma: surprising bit of aroma for the style. There is a definite breadiness and some grass as well.
Mouthfeel: very light and watery, with a quick, drying finish.
Flavor: mirrors the aroma. Breadiness and some sweetness from the barley, a mild bit of grassy hops.
Overall: for light beers, probably the best I have tried. It actually has flavor and aroma. Essentially tastes like a watered down Euro lager.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle served in pilsner glass.
Appearance: pours a thick, pillowy white head that drops slowly with little to no lacing. Color is clear pale straw with moderate streaming carbonation.
Aroma: surprising bit of aroma for the style. There is a definite breadiness and some grass as well.
Mouthfeel: very light and watery, with a quick, drying finish.
Flavor: mirrors the aroma. Breadiness and some sweetness from the barley, a mild bit of grassy hops.
Overall: for light beers, probably the best I have tried. It actually has flavor and aroma. Essentially tastes like a watered down Euro lager.
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2.53/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Appearance Yellow in color and a bit hazy with some mild carbonation and a smallish head.
Smell Light but deadly American grain with a hint of sweetness.
Taste Typical American grain mixed with Gummi-Bear sweetness. Its not quite as offense as some, but not good by a long shot.
Mouthfeel Of course, this lager is exceptionally light. It lacks the strong carbonation though that is typical of the style.
Drinkability On the cusp of being poured out, but barely hanging on.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Appearance Yellow in color and a bit hazy with some mild carbonation and a smallish head.
Smell Light but deadly American grain with a hint of sweetness.
Taste Typical American grain mixed with Gummi-Bear sweetness. Its not quite as offense as some, but not good by a long shot.
Mouthfeel Of course, this lager is exceptionally light. It lacks the strong carbonation though that is typical of the style.
Drinkability On the cusp of being poured out, but barely hanging on.
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2.2/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Back before I knew better, I drank Amstel Light a lot, thinking I was a true beer afficionado. It's not bad beer overall, but its nothing I would run out and buy. However, at only 95 calories per 12 oz., its a great beer to drink if you're on a diet. Other than Sam Adams light it is sadly the best you can do.
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look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Back before I knew better, I drank Amstel Light a lot, thinking I was a true beer afficionado. It's not bad beer overall, but its nothing I would run out and buy. However, at only 95 calories per 12 oz., its a great beer to drink if you're on a diet. Other than Sam Adams light it is sadly the best you can do.
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3.01/5 rDev +24.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Clear, straw color with a fluffy white head that ends up staying a thin layer.
Notes of grain (corn) and grass in the aroma.
Fairly clean and simple taste with a fairly dry finish. Not particularly exciting but not foul by any means.
Considering that this is a light beer, it's not the worst. But I'll never drink it again.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Clear, straw color with a fluffy white head that ends up staying a thin layer.
Notes of grain (corn) and grass in the aroma.
Fairly clean and simple taste with a fairly dry finish. Not particularly exciting but not foul by any means.
Considering that this is a light beer, it's not the worst. But I'll never drink it again.
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2.25/5 rDev -7%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
1.35/5 rDev -44.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1
If you have ever wondered what liquified styrofoam injected into Budmillercoorslite would taste like, then you should try an Amstel Light.
This is an absolutely repulsive beer. It looks & smells like your average Bud/Miller/Coors clone, but the taste! Dear lord! At first it tastes like the aforementioned macro-filth, but then it hits you - a noxious cardboard-box-complete-with-packing-materials flavor. It blows my mind as to how the brewers of this beer could possibly find it acceptable.
I mean, at least you can swallow other light beers without really tasting anything - just like water down the throat - and then forget about them, but Amstel Light makes sure to rip a blazing trench through your tastebuds, assuring you that you wont forget it's abhorrent "taste" any time soon.
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look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1
If you have ever wondered what liquified styrofoam injected into Budmillercoorslite would taste like, then you should try an Amstel Light.
This is an absolutely repulsive beer. It looks & smells like your average Bud/Miller/Coors clone, but the taste! Dear lord! At first it tastes like the aforementioned macro-filth, but then it hits you - a noxious cardboard-box-complete-with-packing-materials flavor. It blows my mind as to how the brewers of this beer could possibly find it acceptable.
I mean, at least you can swallow other light beers without really tasting anything - just like water down the throat - and then forget about them, but Amstel Light makes sure to rip a blazing trench through your tastebuds, assuring you that you wont forget it's abhorrent "taste" any time soon.
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1.81/5 rDev -25.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.75
Awful. Really couldnt drink this beer.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.75
Awful. Really couldnt drink this beer.
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2.18/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25
Amstel Light from Amstel Brouwerij B. V.
2.42
out of 5
based on 1,542 ratings.
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
12oz into a pokal glass.
pours a pale, crystal clear yellow. gives me 2 fingers of coarse foamy head that dies down quick and leaves a few legs of lace.
smell is grainy with a hint of spice.
what little taste it has comes through as stale bread. no hop character at all, not even enough to taste balanced. the body on this is watery with way too much carbonation, which sort of gives it a spicy feel. goes way beyond prickly.
i suppose you could argue that this is super drinkable, but the mouthfeel really hurt this for me. also, with no flavor, why would anyone _want_ to drink this? even a cheap 40 of malt liquor is better than this.
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