Sauber Ginger
Sauber Beer

This was an unexpected offer from my collegue Ricardo. Naturally, I was excited to see another Brazilian brand which I had heard of, but never tasted. And a ginger beer? With 8% alcohol? That makes me three times as curious! The 600 ml bottle, which might have one of the most boring beer labels I've ever set eyes on, was shared with several people at Beachwood BBQ, on to the beer:

The color is most resemblant to sandy blonde. There's some haze in the body, which makes the beer almost look like a hefeweizen. Solid lace leaves itself around the glass. There's a refreshing aroma of ginger that presents itself to the nostrils. Soft. Gentle. It also seems to create the smell of lime.

Although the taste is mostly singular, it's a very appealing taste. It's ginger alright, but controlled and not "in your face". Small breaks of gingerbread make way into the profile. The surprising part to me was that this beer was still very refreshing despite the 8% alcohol, which happens to be inserted well. I was also surprised by the mouthfeel, its creaminess and heartiness that seem to coat the mouth; not a fizzy soda-like body found in other ginger beers.

I wasn't sure what to expect, and the final result shows a very pleasant "Imperial Ginger Beer". I gotta give mad props to Sauber Beer just for brewing a ginger beer, let alone one with this level of enjoyement. This offering also shows the rising popularity of experimental beers and broadening of tastes in the Brazilian beer market.

From a bottle provided by DoubleJ, thanks Jon,

A: Pours a lightly hazy gold with a spotty light white head, average head retention, some lace.

S: Attractive sweet ginger notes, works with the malt to give a spiced bread aspect, pretty.

T: Solid ginger flavours mixed with a good amount of pils style malt. Nice mix of tastes.

M: Light to medium-bodied, crisp and clean, no note of the 8%.

O: Quite a unique beer, the spices worked well, a fun beer to try.