Nova Cuca
Companhia União de Cervejas de Angola (Pela CUCA)
- From:
- Companhia União de Cervejas de Angola (Pela CUCA)
- Angola
- Style:
- European Pale Lager
- ABV:
- 4.5%
- Score:
- +1 rating needed
- Avg:
- 2.35 | pDev: 26.38%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 2
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 01, 2026
- Added:
- Oct 14, 2014
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 3
NO SCORE
-
-
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)
2.8/5 rDev +19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.8/5 rDev +19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
This "mini" version of Cuca comes in 25cl bottle with a finger-tab cap that peels off. I wouldn't have thought such a bottle could do a proper job at maintaining freshness and carbonation but, lo and behold, even after its 12,000 km journey this lager looks invigorated. It has a bright, crisp golden colour and sprightly, lively bubbles.
The wine world is full of its own shit. Some of the narratives that surround it are unbearable. But one thing is true: wine is usually a distinctive expression of where it's from and who produced it. Beer, which sources ingredients globally and strives for a universal standard, rarely (though sometimes) provides that same insight or individuality.
Cuca is from Angola, south-western Africa. It tastes like it could be from anywhere. There is literally nothing in the appearance, aroma, flavour or texture that distinguishes it from the national brands of European, American, Asian, Australian, or Caribbean breweries. In fact, it's a lot better than many of those lagers but not fundamentally different...
I don't mind this clean(ish) profile of sweetened cereal grain, apples and maize. I'll repeat: a lot of the world's biggest, leading brands could learn a thing or two from Angola's 'União de Cervejas'. There's no unwanted aftertaste, carbonation is zippy and the aroma doesn't offend. It tastes like there are adjuncts but they're subtle. It's not bad, it's just very familiar.
Cuca doesn't provide a whole lot to write home about, so what this review attempted to highlight is the significance of time and place when it comes to thoroughly enjoying and properly appreciating beer, or any beverage for that matter. It'd be neat if Angolan beers were somehow different from those I'm accustomed to but, alas, evidently they are not.
A lingering effect of colonialism? The downside of globalization? Arguably yes to both (remember that beer, albeit of a different variety, has been made throughout Africa for millennia). We see more and more indigenous grape varieties in wine. Who knows what the next wave of the craft beer revolution will look like. Hopefully something different from Cuca.
Sep 01, 2016The wine world is full of its own shit. Some of the narratives that surround it are unbearable. But one thing is true: wine is usually a distinctive expression of where it's from and who produced it. Beer, which sources ingredients globally and strives for a universal standard, rarely (though sometimes) provides that same insight or individuality.
Cuca is from Angola, south-western Africa. It tastes like it could be from anywhere. There is literally nothing in the appearance, aroma, flavour or texture that distinguishes it from the national brands of European, American, Asian, Australian, or Caribbean breweries. In fact, it's a lot better than many of those lagers but not fundamentally different...
I don't mind this clean(ish) profile of sweetened cereal grain, apples and maize. I'll repeat: a lot of the world's biggest, leading brands could learn a thing or two from Angola's 'União de Cervejas'. There's no unwanted aftertaste, carbonation is zippy and the aroma doesn't offend. It tastes like there are adjuncts but they're subtle. It's not bad, it's just very familiar.
Cuca doesn't provide a whole lot to write home about, so what this review attempted to highlight is the significance of time and place when it comes to thoroughly enjoying and properly appreciating beer, or any beverage for that matter. It'd be neat if Angolan beers were somehow different from those I'm accustomed to but, alas, evidently they are not.
A lingering effect of colonialism? The downside of globalization? Arguably yes to both (remember that beer, albeit of a different variety, has been made throughout Africa for millennia). We see more and more indigenous grape varieties in wine. Who knows what the next wave of the craft beer revolution will look like. Hopefully something different from Cuca.
Reviewed by jeschaefer from Texas
2.32/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 1.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
2.32/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 1.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
This is mild tasting transparent yellow beer with almost no head. Cuca has a bit more flavor than the mass production US beers. From what I can gather, this is the only beer produced in Angola therefore the taste might be bent toward the widest possible market. And a market unaccustomed to bolder beer flavors.
Information on Cuca was hard for me to find. This listing is named Nove Cuca (New Cuca) however I can only find Cuca on this can. Maybe it is not new anymore.
May 31, 2016Information on Cuca was hard for me to find. This listing is named Nove Cuca (New Cuca) however I can only find Cuca on this can. Maybe it is not new anymore.
Rated by 22Blue from Kansas
2.02/5 rDev -14%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
2.02/5 rDev -14%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Mine wasn't all that bad. Have had many Pale Lagers that were worse. Not skunk or metal detected. A hot day beer for sure.
Jul 10, 2015
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