Kingfisher Strong
United Breweries - UB Group

 

My local independent bottleshop in Glenfield Sydney stock a number of little of interesting foreign beers, and with the owner being from the sub continent he stocks a number of Indian and sub continental beers that you’re unlikely to find in your more main stream liquor outlets. I thought I had picked up the Kingfisher Original beer, which I’ve had once before on tap at an Indian restaurant here in Sydney. Turns out this is the strong version.

Vessel: 500ml pint can, with the classic red and gold label, with a beautiful looking Kingfisher bird on the front of the label taking front and centre, pride of place on the can. According to the BA stats, this is 7.1% ABV. That is either wrong, or the ABV of the beer has been increased and the information not updated, because my can is - and I quote - “less than 8%”, that doesn’t tell me a great deal, it could very well be 7.1%, but it also could be 7.9, or 1.2% ABV. This can is brewed by India, but on the bottom of the can where the best before is located, it also tells me its imported and distributed in the United Arab Emirates p. No idea who imports or distributes this into Australia. Best before is January 10 2024, so only 9 days before this goes out of date - better drink up quick.

Appearance: Clear golden lager appearance, completely filtered with a fizzy, ever so slightly off white head that is diminishing rapidly, leaving no residue or lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Pine hop notes along with a good hit of sweet candied lemon coming from the nose. Definitely nicer smelling than the Sri Lankan Lion strong beer I had a couple of days ago. Can also smell grain, and a strong hit of alcohol. Honestly, out of the 3 European strong lagers I’ve reviewed this far, this smells both the least offensive, and the most attractive.


Taste: Surprisingly pleasant. Definitely strong grain like alcohol throughout the palate, but it’s not as outrageously syrupy sweet like I’ve found these European strong lager style beers to be. There’s a bit of piney hops, and definitely a syrupy sweetness, almost molasses like, but it’s not overpowering. The back end of the mouthful does have bit of a bitter finish, which allows the beer to be refreshing and enjoyable, and not some syrupy alcoholic cordial.


Feel: Let’s say this beer is 7,1% for arguments sake, it’s got a light body, and decent carbonation. You could see yourself knocking back a few of these.


Overall: For a high ABV European strong lager it’s pretty drinkable. The flavours aren’t going to blow you away, but at least you feel like you’re drinking a beer and not some syrupy straight alcohol.

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Look - clear and golden with a nice white head
Smell and taste - grainy with a slight booze taste and smell
Feel - medium light body and carbonation
Overall - better than expected

Got one in Delhi, after searching closely; very difficult to get a beer there.

Not too bad beer, your common adjunct.

 

 

Only good quality of KF beers is that it’s a very fast moving product, so, most of the stock is bottled within past week !

Unfortunately, there are hardly any other better lagers in mass market. Crafts, imports and other brews are out of question for middle class beer lovers.

 

 

 

Strong fusel alcohols with malty taste and leaves a bitter finish with a warm feel.Grows worse when it warms up as the bitterness increases.The Kingfisher Storm is way better since it has got a better finish with a pleasant after taste of honey.
Good to drink when you are looking for a strong and cheap beer(though I would prefer the Kingfisher Storm over this again).Should be consumed cold or chilled to avoid bitterness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall tastes like horsepiss, would recommend to skip, there are better high alcohol beverages out there.