Icelandic Arctic Berry Ale
Einstök Ölgerð (Einstök Beer Company)
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Einstök Ölgerð (Einstök Beer Company)
- Iceland
- Style:
- Wheat Beer - Witbier
Ranked #169 - ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #24,715 - Avg:
- 3.67 | pDev: 11.44%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 26, 2022
- Added:
- Aug 02, 2014
- Wants:
- 9
- Gots:
- 29
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good
Notes:
In Iceland, Sumardagurinn fyrsti means the arrival of warmer temperatures. At Einstök, we celebrate with this limited-edition Ale, a refreshing witbier flavored with tasty bilberries, hand-picked near the Arctic Circle. It’s the perfect ale for your summer adventures, but enjoy it while you can – it will disappear with the midnight sun.
Wheat malt, pilsner malt, oats, bavarian noble hops. Subtle flavor from bilberries, hand-picked near the arctic circle.
Wheat malt, pilsner malt, oats, bavarian noble hops. Subtle flavor from bilberries, hand-picked near the arctic circle.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.23 by WickedBeer from Alabama on Feb 26, 2022
2.84 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Jan 27, 2022
3.76 by Sellen from Connecticut on Dec 29, 2021
3.12/5 rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
by Nass from Florida
The pour is golden yellow. The taste is bilberries & wheat. Oh well, it was interesting to try a beer with bilberries in it. Cheers! B-
Nov 06, 2021
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
by Nass from Florida
The pour is golden yellow. The taste is bilberries & wheat. Oh well, it was interesting to try a beer with bilberries in it. Cheers! B-
Nov 06, 2021
3.85 by 22Blue from Kansas on Aug 07, 2021
3.93/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
11.2 ounce can poured into a Duvel tulip glass. Best before 1/25/22.
L---Slightly cloudy medium gold color. Fluffy white head had good retention and left very nice lacing.
S---Well, I can't say that I know what the hell a bilberry smells or tastes like, but it smells pretty good. Sweet smell overpowers the wheat.
T---I guess I like bilberries. The wheat that was missing on the nose shows up here.
F---Medium body with very good carbonation.
O---It's tasty. It's good.
Jul 16, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
11.2 ounce can poured into a Duvel tulip glass. Best before 1/25/22.
L---Slightly cloudy medium gold color. Fluffy white head had good retention and left very nice lacing.
S---Well, I can't say that I know what the hell a bilberry smells or tastes like, but it smells pretty good. Sweet smell overpowers the wheat.
T---I guess I like bilberries. The wheat that was missing on the nose shows up here.
F---Medium body with very good carbonation.
O---It's tasty. It's good.
Jul 16, 2021
3.7/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
by UrbanCaveman from Ohio
12 oz can, poured into a weiss glass at 40 degrees F.
L: Pours a pretty and mostly clear pale straw gold, and forms four fingers of dense fluffy white foam head. Excellent retention, with spotty lacing.
S: Salty sea air near a berry patch full of ripe blackberries and raspberries.
T: Interesting. Crisp mineral salinity hits first, followed almost instantly by a wave of tart berries. Beneath that comes some coriander and orange peel. The vaguely sour berry flavor lingers a bit after the swallow.
F: Light and lively, crisp and fizzy up front, with a watery breakdown at the finish.
O: It's an interesting take on a berry wit, though I do prefer their regular Icelandic White Ale. That said, should I stumble across this one again, I would likely pick it up.
Jul 13, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
by UrbanCaveman from Ohio
12 oz can, poured into a weiss glass at 40 degrees F.
L: Pours a pretty and mostly clear pale straw gold, and forms four fingers of dense fluffy white foam head. Excellent retention, with spotty lacing.
S: Salty sea air near a berry patch full of ripe blackberries and raspberries.
T: Interesting. Crisp mineral salinity hits first, followed almost instantly by a wave of tart berries. Beneath that comes some coriander and orange peel. The vaguely sour berry flavor lingers a bit after the swallow.
F: Light and lively, crisp and fizzy up front, with a watery breakdown at the finish.
O: It's an interesting take on a berry wit, though I do prefer their regular Icelandic White Ale. That said, should I stumble across this one again, I would likely pick it up.
Jul 13, 2021
4.05 by markallmon from Tennessee on Jul 11, 2021
3.32/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
by teromous from Virginia
From the bottom of the can: "17.02.21 -14:08 BF 17/FEB/2022"
Appearance: The body is a desaturated, dull, pale straw color that is very hazy. It has a medium-sized white head that looks fluffy on the surface.
Aroma: The room fills with a berry aroma as soon as the can is cracked, and it only intensifies after it is poured into a glass and rests. A closer inspection gives off notes of raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and a strong aroma of pomegranate. It is very inviting with how the aroma is presented.
Taste: There is a tart berry flavor up front with a slightly sour sensation mixed with a hint of wheat. The flavor drops off quite a bit towards the middle of the mouth, tapering off far too soon. There isn't much flavor left towards the rear of the palate. After a few sips there is a vinous quality towards the back of the mouth, and if the beer is consumed quickly it also appears. There is a light, watered down, berry flavor in the aftertaste. At times there is a very interesting wildflower character that shows up.
Mouthfeel: It is very light bodied and extremely easy to drink. It has a nice wash of carbonation that feels a bit high but works well with the berry flavors.
Overall: The aroma is fantastic but the flavor leaves something to be desired. The flavor starts off well but it quickly falls short. The base beer gives way to the berry character which helps it to shine, but it does nothing to support or build on the berry flavor. The can states that this is a "WHITE ALE BREWED WITH BILBERRIES" and the beer definitely has a clear berry aroma and has a very present berry flavor. Unfortunately the base beer doesn't provide much character which makes the beer feel more boring than the berry character would suggest. As a whole I probably would still drink it again but it isn't something I would recommend unless somebody was curious what a Bilberry tastes like, and even then I would only recommend a single.
Jul 02, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
by teromous from Virginia
From the bottom of the can: "17.02.21 -14:08 BF 17/FEB/2022"
Appearance: The body is a desaturated, dull, pale straw color that is very hazy. It has a medium-sized white head that looks fluffy on the surface.
Aroma: The room fills with a berry aroma as soon as the can is cracked, and it only intensifies after it is poured into a glass and rests. A closer inspection gives off notes of raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and a strong aroma of pomegranate. It is very inviting with how the aroma is presented.
Taste: There is a tart berry flavor up front with a slightly sour sensation mixed with a hint of wheat. The flavor drops off quite a bit towards the middle of the mouth, tapering off far too soon. There isn't much flavor left towards the rear of the palate. After a few sips there is a vinous quality towards the back of the mouth, and if the beer is consumed quickly it also appears. There is a light, watered down, berry flavor in the aftertaste. At times there is a very interesting wildflower character that shows up.
Mouthfeel: It is very light bodied and extremely easy to drink. It has a nice wash of carbonation that feels a bit high but works well with the berry flavors.
Overall: The aroma is fantastic but the flavor leaves something to be desired. The flavor starts off well but it quickly falls short. The base beer gives way to the berry character which helps it to shine, but it does nothing to support or build on the berry flavor. The can states that this is a "WHITE ALE BREWED WITH BILBERRIES" and the beer definitely has a clear berry aroma and has a very present berry flavor. Unfortunately the base beer doesn't provide much character which makes the beer feel more boring than the berry character would suggest. As a whole I probably would still drink it again but it isn't something I would recommend unless somebody was curious what a Bilberry tastes like, and even then I would only recommend a single.
Jul 02, 2021
4/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by KT3418 from Colorado
I thought this was great. I really enjoyed they stuck with their roots and went with Bilberries. In America I've only experienced this berry with Icelandic Provisions yogurt but it was definitely close to to a blueberry flavor. Great year round beer if you ask me although I know its a limited release
Jun 18, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by KT3418 from Colorado
I thought this was great. I really enjoyed they stuck with their roots and went with Bilberries. In America I've only experienced this berry with Icelandic Provisions yogurt but it was definitely close to to a blueberry flavor. Great year round beer if you ask me although I know its a limited release
Jun 18, 2021
3.78/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Treyliff from West Virginia
12oz can poured into a pint
A- pours parley golden in color with a one finger foamy white head that has decent retention
S- smells of berries, muscadine grapes, toasted wheat, a hint of lemon, fruity pebbles
T- plenty of berry notes up front, leaning more towards a strawberry-like flavor. Some cereal grains at mid palate gives it a bit of a fruity pebble vibe. The finish gives a hint of toasted wheat with more sweet and slightly tart berries on the linger
M- light-medium body with moderate carbonation leads to foamy mouthfeel that continues into a crisp finish
O- the berry notes work well here, nice refreshing summer time beer
Jun 09, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Treyliff from West Virginia
12oz can poured into a pint
A- pours parley golden in color with a one finger foamy white head that has decent retention
S- smells of berries, muscadine grapes, toasted wheat, a hint of lemon, fruity pebbles
T- plenty of berry notes up front, leaning more towards a strawberry-like flavor. Some cereal grains at mid palate gives it a bit of a fruity pebble vibe. The finish gives a hint of toasted wheat with more sweet and slightly tart berries on the linger
M- light-medium body with moderate carbonation leads to foamy mouthfeel that continues into a crisp finish
O- the berry notes work well here, nice refreshing summer time beer
Jun 09, 2021
4 by Taenim from New Jersey on May 17, 2021
3.58 by EdmundBlackadder from Ohio on May 16, 2021
4.25/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by DrBeergood from Ohio
L: Straw yellow. Cloudy. Frothy and lively.
S: Chock full of berry goodness. A hint of wheat yeast esters, barley, and fresh noble hops.
T: Mildly bitter in a sophisticated way--More than enough to balance the sweetness. A hint of berry on the front palate, barley and hops activate the side palate, leaving wheat and berry on the finish. This is a full palate experience--My palate is dancing with joy.
F: It's dry and light characteristics make for a crisp and refreshing beverage.
O: I've come to expect balanced and approachable beverages--Made from high quality ingredients--from Einstök. This is no exception.
May 10, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by DrBeergood from Ohio
L: Straw yellow. Cloudy. Frothy and lively.
S: Chock full of berry goodness. A hint of wheat yeast esters, barley, and fresh noble hops.
T: Mildly bitter in a sophisticated way--More than enough to balance the sweetness. A hint of berry on the front palate, barley and hops activate the side palate, leaving wheat and berry on the finish. This is a full palate experience--My palate is dancing with joy.
F: It's dry and light characteristics make for a crisp and refreshing beverage.
O: I've come to expect balanced and approachable beverages--Made from high quality ingredients--from Einstök. This is no exception.
May 10, 2021
3.82 by ZombiePlus from California on Mar 19, 2021
3.76 by mattjp03 from Alabama on Oct 15, 2020
3.99/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Smakawhat from Maryland
Poured from the can into a Hoegaarden witbier glass.
Very clear, with a deep neon yellow color and a good amount of pin-head sized streams of carbonation. Light white in colored head, but small. The head manages to reach about a finger then settles to a thin puck and bowled collar.
Aroma is berries indeed. Fruity sensing, with a bit of cereal grains behind it giving off a little bit of .. Well breakfast cereal sweetness but surprisingly not heavy. Hits sort of like strawberries on the nose, a little faint touch of herbs in there but it's really tiny. Solid and kind of a neat aroma.
Palate takes the beer into a nice place. Gone is a suspected sweet rush, but a nice light tartness of berried fruit and a good sharp bitterness as well. Fruity mid palate with a biting hop and almost twiggy/pine bitterness. Finishes a little empty, but aftertaste continues a nice berry and mixing mineral water like flavor. Lends to a bit of gaseous flavor but not terribly.
Pretty neat tasting beer, and quite unique.
Oct 01, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Smakawhat from Maryland
Poured from the can into a Hoegaarden witbier glass.
Very clear, with a deep neon yellow color and a good amount of pin-head sized streams of carbonation. Light white in colored head, but small. The head manages to reach about a finger then settles to a thin puck and bowled collar.
Aroma is berries indeed. Fruity sensing, with a bit of cereal grains behind it giving off a little bit of .. Well breakfast cereal sweetness but surprisingly not heavy. Hits sort of like strawberries on the nose, a little faint touch of herbs in there but it's really tiny. Solid and kind of a neat aroma.
Palate takes the beer into a nice place. Gone is a suspected sweet rush, but a nice light tartness of berried fruit and a good sharp bitterness as well. Fruity mid palate with a biting hop and almost twiggy/pine bitterness. Finishes a little empty, but aftertaste continues a nice berry and mixing mineral water like flavor. Lends to a bit of gaseous flavor but not terribly.
Pretty neat tasting beer, and quite unique.
Oct 01, 2020
4 by generallee from Virginia on Aug 22, 2020
3.65/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia
From the can, it pours a clear golden color with a large thick white head that lasts and leaves lacing. In the nose, it is initially berry scented, followed up by a little grain scent. In the mouth, it is light with a bilberry flavor base. Interesting.
Aug 18, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia
From the can, it pours a clear golden color with a large thick white head that lasts and leaves lacing. In the nose, it is initially berry scented, followed up by a little grain scent. In the mouth, it is light with a bilberry flavor base. Interesting.
Aug 18, 2020
3.53 by robotic_being from Florida on Jun 21, 2020
3.64 by hophugger from Virginia on Jun 10, 2020
3.84 by Pro_Magnon from Texas on May 30, 2020
3.73 by dschwartz13 from Tennessee on Oct 15, 2019
3.5 by dsshuck from Delaware on Oct 14, 2019
4 by tedho21 from Pennsylvania on Sep 01, 2019
3.77/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by deleted_user_995920
Pours super clear with a white foamy head, which recedes quickly.Smell in very muted,mild earthy smell. Taste is very light with a background of an unfamiliar berry. Feels well carbonated, finishes dry and juicy. Overall this would work well with a cooler of these out in the summer. Very refreshing.
Jul 10, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by deleted_user_995920
Pours super clear with a white foamy head, which recedes quickly.Smell in very muted,mild earthy smell. Taste is very light with a background of an unfamiliar berry. Feels well carbonated, finishes dry and juicy. Overall this would work well with a cooler of these out in the summer. Very refreshing.
Jul 10, 2019
3.75 by bundy462 from Texas on Jun 30, 2019
3.6 by Kdouble from Tennessee on Jun 23, 2019
3.62/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by metter98 from New York
A: The beer is clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high off white head that settled down, consistently leaving a short, dense head covering the surface and some lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of bilberries are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell but has stronger flavors of bilberries, which seem to taste like a less sweeter version of a boysenberry.
M: It feels a bit more than light-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and has a good amount of berry flavors in the taste. The berries aren't sweet so I wouldn't consider this to be really that refreshing, but it is light and easy to drink.
Serving type: can
Jun 09, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by metter98 from New York
A: The beer is clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high off white head that settled down, consistently leaving a short, dense head covering the surface and some lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of bilberries are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell but has stronger flavors of bilberries, which seem to taste like a less sweeter version of a boysenberry.
M: It feels a bit more than light-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and has a good amount of berry flavors in the taste. The berries aren't sweet so I wouldn't consider this to be really that refreshing, but it is light and easy to drink.
Serving type: can
Jun 09, 2019
3.65 by Ajlvt from Washington on May 20, 2019
2.98/5 rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25
by ThreatLevel5 from New Jersey
This beer smells really good, looks good and tastes ok. I perfer the White Ale over this.
May 06, 2019
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25
by ThreatLevel5 from New Jersey
This beer smells really good, looks good and tastes ok. I perfer the White Ale over this.
May 06, 2019
3.33/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by EMV from Pennsylvania
Poured from a 12 oz can into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Clear light golden pour with big fluffy white head. Great lacing.
S: Grains and fruit/berry.
T/F: Light wheat beer backbone. Crackery grains/wheat. Strong mixed berry kind of fruit flavor on top of that. Modest sweetness. A little grassy. Simple... easy drinking and well carbonated.
O: A fairly nondescript berry wheat type beer. Easy drinking pool fare... nothing exciting, but nothing offensive either.
Feb 08, 2019
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by EMV from Pennsylvania
Poured from a 12 oz can into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Clear light golden pour with big fluffy white head. Great lacing.
S: Grains and fruit/berry.
T/F: Light wheat beer backbone. Crackery grains/wheat. Strong mixed berry kind of fruit flavor on top of that. Modest sweetness. A little grassy. Simple... easy drinking and well carbonated.
O: A fairly nondescript berry wheat type beer. Easy drinking pool fare... nothing exciting, but nothing offensive either.
Feb 08, 2019
4 by Justinprintz from New Jersey on Feb 03, 2019
3.48/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by tigg924 from Massachusetts
Pours clear, gold in color with one inch head. Taste is a nice mix between cranberry and fresh blueberry flavors over a pilsner malt. Light bodied, sweet, with moderate carbonation. Makes for an interesting fruity refreshing beer.
Jan 13, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by tigg924 from Massachusetts
Pours clear, gold in color with one inch head. Taste is a nice mix between cranberry and fresh blueberry flavors over a pilsner malt. Light bodied, sweet, with moderate carbonation. Makes for an interesting fruity refreshing beer.
Jan 13, 2019
3.71/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
(12 oz can, canned on 19.02.18, BF 19/FEB/2019 - - so it's got a bit of age on it ... poured into a snifter)
L: crystal-clear, pale amber liquid; dense, sticky white foam... after a few sips (notes detailed below), poured in last 2 oz of can and with it a healthy dose of speckled sediment hazed things up... no lacing
S: the berry aroma to me certainly smells similar to blueberry; not getting any 'wit' aromas, aside perhaps from a Belgian yeast spice... kind of a Jiffy blueberry muffin scent dominates; background seems dry
T: dry malt foundation; definitely tasting wheat, first in the finish, then throughout each sip; berry flavor is rather prominent, but more as an extract/essence rather than a syrup
F: light-bodied, smooth, relatively dry and clipped on back end, but with a mild blanket-soft texture flushing through the finish... alcohol slightly apparent in delicate warmth after first few sips
O: so, probably picked up a can past its prime, but the basic elements are all present, flavors still have a bit of vibrancy... perhaps they brewed a white ale malt bill with Wit yeast and just with berries instead of coriander and orange? - - it doesn't taste like a Wit, but it kind of does too... not bad; at least it's not sweet
Oct 31, 2018
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
(12 oz can, canned on 19.02.18, BF 19/FEB/2019 - - so it's got a bit of age on it ... poured into a snifter)
L: crystal-clear, pale amber liquid; dense, sticky white foam... after a few sips (notes detailed below), poured in last 2 oz of can and with it a healthy dose of speckled sediment hazed things up... no lacing
S: the berry aroma to me certainly smells similar to blueberry; not getting any 'wit' aromas, aside perhaps from a Belgian yeast spice... kind of a Jiffy blueberry muffin scent dominates; background seems dry
T: dry malt foundation; definitely tasting wheat, first in the finish, then throughout each sip; berry flavor is rather prominent, but more as an extract/essence rather than a syrup
F: light-bodied, smooth, relatively dry and clipped on back end, but with a mild blanket-soft texture flushing through the finish... alcohol slightly apparent in delicate warmth after first few sips
O: so, probably picked up a can past its prime, but the basic elements are all present, flavors still have a bit of vibrancy... perhaps they brewed a white ale malt bill with Wit yeast and just with berries instead of coriander and orange? - - it doesn't taste like a Wit, but it kind of does too... not bad; at least it's not sweet
Oct 31, 2018
4.4 by Vipers26 from New Jersey on Sep 28, 2018
4.53/5 rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
by Dacoco13 from Tennessee
Delightfully refreshing beer. Summertime wonder-I have never tasted bilberry before but what a great addition. Super aftertaste just enough of an adult sourness-with a light sweetness.
This beer appears to be lovingly prepared. Best seasonal surprise.
Sep 09, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
by Dacoco13 from Tennessee
Delightfully refreshing beer. Summertime wonder-I have never tasted bilberry before but what a great addition. Super aftertaste just enough of an adult sourness-with a light sweetness.
This beer appears to be lovingly prepared. Best seasonal surprise.
Sep 09, 2018
3.67 by Ssitron from Michigan on Sep 01, 2018
3.75 by paulish from New York on Jul 10, 2018
4.16 by Diura from New York on Jul 09, 2018
Icelandic Arctic Berry Ale from Einstök Ölgerð (Einstök Beer Company)
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
158 ratings