Island Caribbean Lager
Common Good Beer Co.

473 mL can from the LCBO; dated 06-03-24 and served slightly chilled.

Pours a clear pale straw colour, producing an inch of frothy, soapy white head that steadily fades over the next five minutes. A sudsy collar and filmy cap hold on, with a decent smattering of lace left clinging to the glass - looks great for a light lager. Subdued aroma of corn grits, grainy malts and tea leaves.

It's a quality light beer: the Calypso hops don't exactly add a ton of depth, but they do leave an imprint towards the tail end of the sip. Starts out clean and grainy, with hints of white corn/tortilla chips also coming through; hints of lime, orchard fruit and faint tea leaf bitterness round out the finish. Trends dry in the aftertaste. Light in body, with moderate carbonation that gives little bit of zip to this lager's smooth, crisp mouthfeel. Ridiculously easy to drink.

Final Grade: 3.7, a decent B grade. I did not have high hopes going into Common Good's Caribbean-Style Lager, but maybe that's because I'm not especially familiar with this brewery. I was expecting another boilerplate Mexican lager, but they've clearly put some effort into this brew, and I respect the fact that they did not merely whip up another corny, mediocre lager for the Corona-swilling masses before calling it a day. The hops do add some personality, but I think it's the barley malts that make this beer, together with just the right ratio of corn to lighten it up. I forget what I paid for this, but if the price is right I'd buy it again.

Sept 10 2024