Baron's Strong Brew
DCSL Breweries Lanka Limited

My last of this evening, I am embarking on a Sri Lankan CANQuest (tm), courtesy of my local, in-person trader, @tone77 who seeming muled these gems back on one of his many field trips. I make no prejudgments nor do I shoot the messenger(s). Each CANned beer is its own entity to be judged on its own merits or lack thereof. The CANQuest (tm) CANnot survive without being all-inCANsive.

From the CAN: "Honouring European Brewing"; "Premium Beer"; "Est. XCVII [1907]"; "Brewed With Distinction"; "Each can of Baron's Strong Brew is brewed in the classic European tradition, and inspired by a Black Forest Brewmaster's timeless recipe. Forceful and full-bodied, Baron's also has an intense, malty flavour that helps deliver a smooth, satisfying finish every time."

I Crack!ed the olde skool vent & subsequently beCAN a slow, gentle C-Line Glug into the awaiting glass. I was rather trepidatious after reading some of the previous reviews, but I was happy to see it form just under two fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, French Vanilla-colored head without bidding it to do so. Color was a solid Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9) with NE-quality clarity. Nose was an odd mélange of green apples, pie crust, blueberries, honey, crackers & a stale mustiness that could only have come from its yeast strain. Hmm. I want to reserve judgement until I CAN actually taste it. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full, not quite creamy, but on the approach. Ooh, the taste was REALLY sharp with a green apple/dry cleaning plant/musty newspaper quality that made me immediately think of Minhas! 8=p It was as though it had been rushed through its fermentation & threw a buncha odd esters as a result. 8=p This was a tough note on which to end the day, but this was barely bearable & I will NEVER CANduct a drainpour, no matter how offensive the beer. I have to drink it in its entirety for it to count & this was beCANming a chore. Finish was dry, a testament to their overworked or hard-working yeast not getting a ChANce to repropogate. One was plenty. YMMV.

I'm in Sri Lanka, and trying some local beers. Poured from a 16.9 oz. can. Has a dark golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of grains, malts. Taste is metallic, grains, alcohol is not hidden at all. Feels medium/light bodied in the mouth and overall is a fairly crappy beer.