Red Stripe Jamaican Lager | Desnoes & Geddes Limited
Brewed by:
Desnoes & Geddes Limited
Jamaica | website
Style: American Adjunct Lager
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.70%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
In 2012, Diageo moved production of the U.S. supply of Red Stripe from Jamaica to the U.S.; The supply is produced by City Brewing Co. in La Crosse, Wisconsin and the Latrobe Brewing Company in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, which was the main brewery for Rolling Rock for over 60 years. Desnoes & Geddes will still make Red Stripe for Jamaica, Brazil, Canada and Europe.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 11-30-2000
Reviews: 962 | Ratings: 3,142
3.57/5 rDev +19%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
first beer of the day, straight out of the freezer, on a warm September afternoon..... is why i give this baby a FOUR on taste! but seriously.... it's not bad. on par with a Coors i suppose....
★ 193 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
first beer of the day, straight out of the freezer, on a warm September afternoon..... is why i give this baby a FOUR on taste! but seriously.... it's not bad. on par with a Coors i suppose....
★ 193 characters
1.9/5 rDev -36.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
Smells like dirt, tastes like skunk (maybe a note or two of sweetness), looks like Bud Light, feels like Bud Light. I had high hopes for this beer, I really did... I think this is the most disappointed by beer I have been in a long while.
See, something sinister, I think, must have happened. Because my bottle looks almost identicele to the one pictured; same Red Stripe logo, same DG logo... EXCEPT underneath the logo, mine does not say "Lager beer brewed in Jamaica" no, no, scipio--mine says "Jamaican style lager". Jamaican, STYLE. On the side, it does not say "Desnoes & Geddes", nope, nope, mine says "brewed and bottled by Red Stripe beer company LATROBE, PA" dot dot dot... LATROBE! Persumably the same Latrobe that brings ussuch outstanding products as Rolling Rock (obvious sarcasm is obvious). WTH!? This tastes just as non-descript and underwhelming as rolling rock that I'm not convinced it's not rolling rockunder a different label since Latrobe apparently bought this brand. This is a BS beer. This is no better than bud. Well, maybe slightly. But not eough to justify it's existence.
★ 1,102 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
Smells like dirt, tastes like skunk (maybe a note or two of sweetness), looks like Bud Light, feels like Bud Light. I had high hopes for this beer, I really did... I think this is the most disappointed by beer I have been in a long while.
See, something sinister, I think, must have happened. Because my bottle looks almost identicele to the one pictured; same Red Stripe logo, same DG logo... EXCEPT underneath the logo, mine does not say "Lager beer brewed in Jamaica" no, no, scipio--mine says "Jamaican style lager". Jamaican, STYLE. On the side, it does not say "Desnoes & Geddes", nope, nope, mine says "brewed and bottled by Red Stripe beer company LATROBE, PA" dot dot dot... LATROBE! Persumably the same Latrobe that brings ussuch outstanding products as Rolling Rock (obvious sarcasm is obvious). WTH!? This tastes just as non-descript and underwhelming as rolling rock that I'm not convinced it's not rolling rockunder a different label since Latrobe apparently bought this brand. This is a BS beer. This is no better than bud. Well, maybe slightly. But not eough to justify it's existence.
★ 1,102 characters
3.35/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Grilling out with friends. Transparent, pale golden body teeming with effervescence. An inch of soapy, bone white head rests at the apex. Aromas of miscellaneous grains, adjuncts. Clean and refreshing. Light and simple. A good backyard, summer day kind of lager.
★ 262 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Grilling out with friends. Transparent, pale golden body teeming with effervescence. An inch of soapy, bone white head rests at the apex. Aromas of miscellaneous grains, adjuncts. Clean and refreshing. Light and simple. A good backyard, summer day kind of lager.
★ 262 characters
3.98/5 rDev +32.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a clear golden color with a ton of streaming bubbles and topped by a rocky white head.
Bready and slightly sweet on the nose. There is even some hops coming through on the smell along with that malty cracker like smell.
The taste follows the nose with a slightly sweet and bready bite with a nice touch of hops. Nothing real bitter or over th top on that hop note but it is just detectable.
The feel is fairly light and finishes very nicely.
Overall this beer comes in at a high score for me because it is such a good beer for an adjunct lager. Tastes to me like a possible corn filler is used. And that fits me fine because I am a fan of the Coors/Miller family line that uses the corn over the rice. This beer is also very reasonable priced in my area and that makes it just that much more enjoyable. Cheers!
★ 820 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a clear golden color with a ton of streaming bubbles and topped by a rocky white head.
Bready and slightly sweet on the nose. There is even some hops coming through on the smell along with that malty cracker like smell.
The taste follows the nose with a slightly sweet and bready bite with a nice touch of hops. Nothing real bitter or over th top on that hop note but it is just detectable.
The feel is fairly light and finishes very nicely.
Overall this beer comes in at a high score for me because it is such a good beer for an adjunct lager. Tastes to me like a possible corn filler is used. And that fits me fine because I am a fan of the Coors/Miller family line that uses the corn over the rice. This beer is also very reasonable priced in my area and that makes it just that much more enjoyable. Cheers!
★ 820 characters
3.52/5 rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
poured into glass from grenade bottle
L: a little bit deeper than piss yellow, some head longevity
S:not a lot, a little rancid.
T: pretty good for the price. a very drinkable lager.
My go to for liquor stores with below average selection.
★ 243 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
poured into glass from grenade bottle
L: a little bit deeper than piss yellow, some head longevity
S:not a lot, a little rancid.
T: pretty good for the price. a very drinkable lager.
My go to for liquor stores with below average selection.
★ 243 characters
2.44/5 rDev -18.7%
look: 1.75 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 2.25
Used to drink this in Bristol at psy trance and drum and bass nights...brings back many memories...
Fairly simple beer though far better than most the Euro lagers. This has much better balance and a nice depth of flavor that goes perfectly with a spliff
★ 254 characters
look: 1.75 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 2.25
Used to drink this in Bristol at psy trance and drum and bass nights...brings back many memories...
Fairly simple beer though far better than most the Euro lagers. This has much better balance and a nice depth of flavor that goes perfectly with a spliff
★ 254 characters
2.24/5 rDev -25.3%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.25
Gets an extra quarter point for the grenade bottle, but really doesn't look bad for an adjunct. Surprisingly full bodied for a beer that I'm certain has sugar cane in it, tastes a bit darker than you'd expect. Not terrible, but certainly nothing special.
★ 254 characters
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.25
Gets an extra quarter point for the grenade bottle, but really doesn't look bad for an adjunct. Surprisingly full bodied for a beer that I'm certain has sugar cane in it, tastes a bit darker than you'd expect. Not terrible, but certainly nothing special.
★ 254 characters
3.51/5 rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
What can I say, I love the bottles - it is almost a novelty. In terms of the actual beer, I have been trying a lot more lagers lately and this is a pretty decent one. Perhaps a touch overpriced and I imagine the more die-hard beer fans won't be too quick to go buy a pack, but it isn't too bad. Are there even any other kinds of Jamaican beer out there?
★ 354 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
What can I say, I love the bottles - it is almost a novelty. In terms of the actual beer, I have been trying a lot more lagers lately and this is a pretty decent one. Perhaps a touch overpriced and I imagine the more die-hard beer fans won't be too quick to go buy a pack, but it isn't too bad. Are there even any other kinds of Jamaican beer out there?
★ 354 characters
3.69/5 rDev +23%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Atypical light look for a lager and not strong in scent, but does have nice character with a slight malty dry bite to finish. Overall agreeable, a crowd favourite that may cause a craving worthy of revisiting on occasion.
★ 222 characters
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Atypical light look for a lager and not strong in scent, but does have nice character with a slight malty dry bite to finish. Overall agreeable, a crowd favourite that may cause a craving worthy of revisiting on occasion.
★ 222 characters
3.7/5 rDev +23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Really good beer. The bottle really don't give that impression, but it is surprising how nice that beer feel.
This blond, Jamaïcan beer have a nice taste.
I will try this one again soon
★ 189 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Really good beer. The bottle really don't give that impression, but it is surprising how nice that beer feel.
This blond, Jamaïcan beer have a nice taste.
I will try this one again soon
★ 189 characters
3/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a crystal clear light amber gold.
Toasted malt and a slight spice thing going on.
Not much in terms of flavor, mildly spiced grains.
Light-bodied, medium carbonation.
Overall, not terrible, but not good.
★ 213 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a crystal clear light amber gold.
Toasted malt and a slight spice thing going on.
Not much in terms of flavor, mildly spiced grains.
Light-bodied, medium carbonation.
Overall, not terrible, but not good.
★ 213 characters
3.22/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
From the bottle, it pours a clear amber with a nice head that lasts a while. Light in the nose, primarily grains. The mouth enjoys the light flavor with no aftertaste. Must be killer listening to the local music in Jamaica!!
★ 227 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
From the bottle, it pours a clear amber with a nice head that lasts a while. Light in the nose, primarily grains. The mouth enjoys the light flavor with no aftertaste. Must be killer listening to the local music in Jamaica!!
★ 227 characters
3.05/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured onto pint glass. Light, bright, crisp see thru coloring. Very low foaming, barely none at all when it sits a couple of seconds after it is poured. A fair and honest beer, perhaps a tad expensive amongst other beers that you will find at your local 7/11 or Liquor Shop. Clean and light after taste. If you are not a beer snob, a cold Red Stripe Lager WILL refresh you.
★ 374 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured onto pint glass. Light, bright, crisp see thru coloring. Very low foaming, barely none at all when it sits a couple of seconds after it is poured. A fair and honest beer, perhaps a tad expensive amongst other beers that you will find at your local 7/11 or Liquor Shop. Clean and light after taste. If you are not a beer snob, a cold Red Stripe Lager WILL refresh you.
★ 374 characters
3/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
In an effort to prove the global nature of beer, this is Jamaica's only entry on "The 1001 Beers To Taste Before You Die." Fertile ground for craft brewers. (Weather beats Chicago.)
★ 183 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
In an effort to prove the global nature of beer, this is Jamaica's only entry on "The 1001 Beers To Taste Before You Die." Fertile ground for craft brewers. (Weather beats Chicago.)
★ 183 characters
2.42/5 rDev -19.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Poured into a pilsner glass, pours a moderate foam head that finishes thin after sitting.
Light golden color of your typical American Adjunct Lager.
Smells watery and corny. Like a typical American Adjunct Lager does.
Tastes as I've repeated, of a typical American Adjunct Lager, watery with a corn taste to it.
Crisp and clean feel, perfect for a hot summer day or after a hard day of work.
Overall, easy to drink, but very typical of its style, better than some other of its kind, but not so much that it's worth a mention.
★ 530 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Poured into a pilsner glass, pours a moderate foam head that finishes thin after sitting.
Light golden color of your typical American Adjunct Lager.
Smells watery and corny. Like a typical American Adjunct Lager does.
Tastes as I've repeated, of a typical American Adjunct Lager, watery with a corn taste to it.
Crisp and clean feel, perfect for a hot summer day or after a hard day of work.
Overall, easy to drink, but very typical of its style, better than some other of its kind, but not so much that it's worth a mention.
★ 530 characters
2.66/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Beach blanket beer.
Not much to like if you're looking for more than just a beer, but not much to dislike either. Sunny disposition, child of the Caribbean sort of appeal. No real difference from a host of other light appearing, light tasting, lightly hopped, lightly malted, genial brews. The sort thing that appeals to many and offends few.
Worth trying, not worth a premium.
★ 382 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Beach blanket beer.
Not much to like if you're looking for more than just a beer, but not much to dislike either. Sunny disposition, child of the Caribbean sort of appeal. No real difference from a host of other light appearing, light tasting, lightly hopped, lightly malted, genial brews. The sort thing that appeals to many and offends few.
Worth trying, not worth a premium.
★ 382 characters
2.02/5 rDev -32.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
This review is for the 484ml can version brewed in Ireland and the U.K. Pours pale gold with a foamy head that disappears quickly leaving scrappy lacing. Grainy smell. Tastes faintly of lemon. Very sweet. Light bodied. Smooth mouthfeel with medium to high carbonation. What is the purpose of this beer outside a beach in the Caribbean?
★ 335 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
This review is for the 484ml can version brewed in Ireland and the U.K. Pours pale gold with a foamy head that disappears quickly leaving scrappy lacing. Grainy smell. Tastes faintly of lemon. Very sweet. Light bodied. Smooth mouthfeel with medium to high carbonation. What is the purpose of this beer outside a beach in the Caribbean?
★ 335 characters
4.04/5 rDev +34.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A good island beer that tastes of cereal and grain. It is a little creamy. Well balanced. I can't say I dislike it or love it. It is good on a very hot beach in the Caribbean.
★ 179 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A good island beer that tastes of cereal and grain. It is a little creamy. Well balanced. I can't say I dislike it or love it. It is good on a very hot beach in the Caribbean.
★ 179 characters
2.93/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Hazy yellow body poured from a bottle into a pint glass.
Little head although the heavy carbonation has a bite to it.
Mouthfeel is very light. The taste needs an ocean behind it. This must be awesome on the beach.
★ 213 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Hazy yellow body poured from a bottle into a pint glass.
Little head although the heavy carbonation has a bite to it.
Mouthfeel is very light. The taste needs an ocean behind it. This must be awesome on the beach.
★ 213 characters
3.38/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Light gold pour with whit head; good cap retention; decent lacing; excellent clarity. Bready grains, corn cereal and a little caramel malt nose; flavors of grainy corn cereal and bready caramel malt. Moderate plus plus carbonation; light mouthfeel. Bit of a corny linger.
★ 272 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Light gold pour with whit head; good cap retention; decent lacing; excellent clarity. Bready grains, corn cereal and a little caramel malt nose; flavors of grainy corn cereal and bready caramel malt. Moderate plus plus carbonation; light mouthfeel. Bit of a corny linger.
★ 272 characters
3.92/5 rDev +30.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 11.2 oz. bottles into a large dimpled beer stein...
Appearance - Hazy yellow color, almost a hint of amber. Looks like a piss that an extremely dehydrated man took. Light head, good lacing on the glass. Appears highly carbonated.
Smell - Bready and grainy. Cereal. No skunk at all.
Taste - I can taste the malt. This beer has a distinct metallic taste to it - I'm sure the hops give it that taste. If it weren't for the metallic taste, the taste would be spot-on. I don't like the choice of hops this beer chooses.
Mouthfeel - Aggressive carbonation, but not too watery.
Overall - This is definitely an acceptable session beer. I was pleased to see it in a brown bottle to rid the chance that this beer would arrive skunked. It is also a neat fat little bottle. I wouldn't drink this beer everyday, but I would buy it again.
★ 845 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 11.2 oz. bottles into a large dimpled beer stein...
Appearance - Hazy yellow color, almost a hint of amber. Looks like a piss that an extremely dehydrated man took. Light head, good lacing on the glass. Appears highly carbonated.
Smell - Bready and grainy. Cereal. No skunk at all.
Taste - I can taste the malt. This beer has a distinct metallic taste to it - I'm sure the hops give it that taste. If it weren't for the metallic taste, the taste would be spot-on. I don't like the choice of hops this beer chooses.
Mouthfeel - Aggressive carbonation, but not too watery.
Overall - This is definitely an acceptable session beer. I was pleased to see it in a brown bottle to rid the chance that this beer would arrive skunked. It is also a neat fat little bottle. I wouldn't drink this beer everyday, but I would buy it again.
★ 845 characters
3.07/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Grenade style bottle, the brew is a clear pale yellow color with white cap. Some spotty lace sticks to the glass.
This smells sweet with grain and mild grassiness then mostly carbonic character like seltzer water.
It tastes sweet with cereal graininess, sulfur, corn and minimal mineral profile.
This is light bodied and modestly carbonated. Honestly not terrible but not good either.
★ 387 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Grenade style bottle, the brew is a clear pale yellow color with white cap. Some spotty lace sticks to the glass.
This smells sweet with grain and mild grassiness then mostly carbonic character like seltzer water.
It tastes sweet with cereal graininess, sulfur, corn and minimal mineral profile.
This is light bodied and modestly carbonated. Honestly not terrible but not good either.
★ 387 characters
3.07/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Props for being in a stubby bottle. Smell was your typical adjunct lager, so corn and other agents. Relatively light on the alcohol at 4.7% so you can turn this into a sessionable beer. The head lasted for a quite awhile and it left some nice lace. Quite quaffable.
★ 265 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Props for being in a stubby bottle. Smell was your typical adjunct lager, so corn and other agents. Relatively light on the alcohol at 4.7% so you can turn this into a sessionable beer. The head lasted for a quite awhile and it left some nice lace. Quite quaffable.
★ 265 characters
3.39/5 rDev +13%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Unfortunately the Red Stripe brewed for the American market is now brewed in Latrobe and the difference from the Kingston version is very noticeable. The original version was one of my favorite hot day beers, light with a sweet after taste. My rating is for the Jamaican version...-1 for the US version.
★ 304 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Unfortunately the Red Stripe brewed for the American market is now brewed in Latrobe and the difference from the Kingston version is very noticeable. The original version was one of my favorite hot day beers, light with a sweet after taste. My rating is for the Jamaican version...-1 for the US version.
★ 304 characters
Red Stripe Jamaican Lager from Desnoes & Geddes Limited
3
out of 5
based on 3,142 ratings.
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
This is a nice beer that has just enough character to be enjoyable.
It's pale color leaves a lot to be desired mainly due to reminding drinkers of the standard adjunct lagers it resembles.
It's smell is pleasant and inviting.
The taste is hard to define. It's certainly not off putting, but It's difficult to consistently detect.
While there is a bit of character in its feel, there's not much.
Overall, Red Stripe is a pleasant experience.
★ 440 characters