Cerveza Especial
Karbach Brewing Co.

RB transfer

 

12oz can, Review date: 10-16-23
Best by: 9-28-23 (2 weeks expired)

Smells like corn. Tastes like corn. Mmmm.... corn. More hops than some "Mexico inspired" brews, or maybe different hops, nothing too wild.

Moderately sweet, strong carbonation, high drinkability. Good despite being past expiration.

 

Best by date on can: 08/16/2023

Pours a golden, copper in color with a finger thick white foam on top which eventually dissipates to a thin layer. Carbonation looks average; the big bubble kind. Surprisingly, there is a bit of lacing as you drink, though it mostly slides down the glass. This was actually quite beautiful for the style on the pour, I don't recall seeing as much head on any other Mexican-style lagers I've had, aside from perhaps a few other micros. Otherwise, it looks as expected for the style, with perhaps a bit less aggressive carbonation, which I very much appreciate.

Predominantly lightly toasted sweet grains on the nose with a little bit of floral hops and some lime to round it out. It's not an overly enjoyable or enticing aroma, but it is what I expected.

Taste follows the nose well. The grains shine up front; lightly toasted bread, butter, a bit of corn. The hops come through towards the swallow with lemon, lime and grass. Aftertaste is mostly floral hops, lime and toasted malts. This hits all the taste notes I would expect, and it's not overly sweet.

The mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium bodied with a hint of chewiness and an above average, zesty carbonation. It doesn't enter mineral water territory, but it is a little bit over carbonated for my tastes. Still, for the style this one drinks less carbonated than most, or at least that's what my stomach is telling me. This is also excellent, perhaps even better, straight out of the can.

This is a very smooth, crisp, drinkable and refreshing beer. Very finely crafted and a great example of the style. This is an excellent warm weather staple beer, perhaps one of the better ones I've had. This definitely is not my preferred fridge beer, but it has it's place, and I would happily seek it out again if I'm in the mood for a Mexican-style lager. I can see this pairing very well with a variety of food. It would also be excellent for gatherings or parties or if you want something you can session after a hot day outside. Cheers!

 

Served on tap in a pint glass
Appearance – The beer is served a clear golden color with a one finger head of white foam. The head has a decent level of retention, leaving a light sum of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is heaviest of a bready and corn smell mixed with some caramel and lime. Along with these aromas comes a little bit of a doughy smell as well as a light grain.
Taste – The taste begins with a bready and caramel flavor mixed with a decent showing of corn meal and corn syrup. There is a touch of grass and some grain upfront, both of which fad as the taste advances. The corn gets a bit more intense, and some doughy and lime flavors join in, leaving one with a smooth, but clean Mexican lager taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is medium to lighter with a carbonation level that is higher. For the style, the feel is good and makes for an easy drinker.
Overall – An easy drinking and flavorful brew. A nice flavorful summer drinker with a lower abv.

 

I was pleasantly surprised with this beer. I had it last night, served at our local Hilton bar before our dinner dance.

Poured from tap into a shaker pint and a second into a tall pilsner glass. In both cases, it pours a bright, clear golden yellow color with this a very nice white head and good curtain lacing. The smell was slightly sweet and floral. The taste was sharp, hoppy and refreshing. Some citrus with a lime background. This is something I will get again.