16 Ounce Macro Lager Can Shootout

this times infinity. I would bet that the poo bahs are the bulk of the macro drinkers on here. Us youngerlings call any beer made before anchor 'macro swill' while these old guys remember who all got consolidated to make the real macros.

 

"Grain Belt Premium" = "macro", tho'? Probably not since circa mid-1970s, when the brewery closed and sold the brand, after which Heileman neglected the brand in favor of their other MN flagship, Schmidt, even selling it off, as part of the spinoff that created the short-lived Minnesota Brewing Co. No way current GB brewer, August Schell is macro (well, given the current state of the geekery''s definition of "small brewer", maybe there is?)

Oh, damn, I think I just reopened the AAL vs Macro vs BMC debate

 

I have never heard of tunnel-pasteurized.

 

Earlier today I discussed Modelo Especial in the New Beer Sunday thread:

What exactly defines what a “Mexican Lager” is anyway?

Last year Sierra Nevada produced a beer branded as Sierraveza that was part of a variety pack. They marketed this beer via:

On the back of the bottle is a story:

“Inspired by the classic cervezas served ice cold by the beach, we created our own take on these easy drinking beers born south of the border. Sierraveza is golden and crisp, with a balanced malt flavor and a hint of floral hops that will have you calling out for another round.”

This beer of 2018 had some corn (corn grits) as part of the grain bill. I thought that considering what type of Sierraveza was it was a pretty good beer. I discussed it in this NBS thread:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-691.573622/#post-6027384

Sierra Nevada decided to produce Sierraveza as a year-round beer in 2019 and this ‘updated’ beer is now all malt. Having stated that, the ‘connection’ to Mexico is still apparent in their marketing of this beer: “Inspired by the classic cervezas served ice cold by the beach, we created our own take on those light and easy beers born south of the border. Sierraveza is golden and crisp, with a balanced malt flavor and a hit of floral hops that will have you calling out for another round.” And the images of palm trees is prominent on the labeling.

So, back to my question that I posed above. Well, I suppose one aspect of what defines a “Mexican Lager” could be that the beer is brewed in Mexico? I must admit that I am not well experienced with drinking Mexican Lagers. I have had a few (e.g., Corona, Victoria, Dos Equis Special Lager) but there are plenty of brands that I have not consumed (e.g., Tecate, Sol, Carta Blanca, Cerveza Pacifico Clara, Modelo Especial,…).

While I visited a local Retail Beer Distributor to purchase some craft beer I was chatting with the store’s manager and we just happened to be standing by a refrigerator that contained large format AAL beers. One customer stepped by us to buy 6 large (quart size) bottles of Corona Familiar beers. I took note of a BIG (19.2 ounce) can of Modelo Especial in the refrigerator and a ‘light bulb’ went off: why not try this beer? Now some of you might ask: why Modelo Especial vs. the others I listed above? Well, I have read a number of BAs opine that among the Mexican brewed beers they had a preference for Modelo Especial so I figured I would see for myself.

Below is how the brewery describes this beer on their website:

“Brewed as a model of what good beer should be, this rich, full-flavored Pilsner-style Lager delivers a crisp, refreshing taste. Modelo Especial contains Filtered Water, Yeast, Malted Barley, Corn, and Hops.”

Enough jibber-jabber. Let’s drink!!

Served in my Firestone Pivo Pilsner glass:

Appearance:

Golden colored and brilliantly clear accompanied by a BIG white head. This beer has good head retention and forms a bit of Belgian Lace as the beer is consumed.

Aroma:

There is a subtle, pleasant grainy aroma.

Taste:

The flavor follows the nose with a nice, pleasant grainy flavor. The one word that pops into my mind is “clean”. There is a low bitterness.

Mouthfeel:

Light body, medium carbonation with a dry finish.

Overall:

I think this is a good AAL beer. It is very cleanly brewed with no off-flavors.

Oh, to circle back to the question I posed as the lead in to this post. In my opinion a “Mexican Lager” is an AAL beer.

 

For your reading pleasure:

“1. Tunnel Pasteurization:

Tunnel pasteurization is commonly used in aluminum can and glass bottle filling. It can be used for PET bottles, but it can be costly and ineffective at prolonging shelf life. Tunnel pasteurization uses multiple stages of heating a beverage and its packaging to target temperatures. Both are held for a predetermined amount of time to ensure microorganisms (micros) are killed.

Timing and temperature is calculated based on the number of required pasteurization units (PU). One PU defined as the micro death that occurs when the beverage is held at 60°C (140°F) for one minute. Here is a commonly used PU formula: PU = t × 1.393((T − 60)/T) where T = degrees in Celsius, t = the time in minutes at which the product is held at T.”

https://www.bevsource.com/news/beverage-preservation-101-part-i-tunnel-pasteurization-vs-hot-filling

Cheers!

 

Yeah, but it's not just age, it's experience as well as the phases people tend to go through. People who have been doing this longer are a lot more likely to take things on their own terms, and aren't stuck in the bigger-is-better mindset.

 

High Life and MGD are definitely not the same.

And Premium in bottles > cans. Too much of a metallic flavor with the cans IMO.

 

Lol, I love a few aals, every time I drink a Narragansett pounder I wonder why I bother with the others. But I like Bud and PBR too, nothing in the world wrong with the style. The best aals imo are far better than bad craft, and it’s hard to really find a bad aal that’s not a Malt Liquor. I dabble with all kinds of beers depending on my mood, sometimes I just get tired of buying and working my way thru mediocre craft beers at $12-13/ six.

 

I‘ve never had a Grain Belt or an Old Style, and the scorings are very different from 1 to the last. I’m a bit surprised Coors is #1, but blind takes eliminates any bias, it was always my opinion that Coors was a bit sweet compared to say Bud. Bet it was fun to do.

 

Enjoyed a High Life last night at a restaurant.

I'm not a "Poo-Bah" though.

 

I would have nearly flipped everything. For sure, bottom 4 would have flipped with top 4. Interesting.

 

To the OP @ZAP, that is an excellent and unbiased method you did your taste test by the way. Thank your for your Beer Advocate services and entertainment for us forum nerds.

Agree that someone should volunteer up to do a similar test for 2-3 of the craft AALs against a mix of macro AALs and see how they compare with no bias.

I just bought an 18pack of High Life cans just to have on occassions when my craft beers are low or I'm just in the mood for low ABV and cold /refreshing beer. For $10.99 it was a no brainer and should last at least 6-8 weeks.

 

For those looking for the 'best' deal permit me to suggest a 30-pack of Hamm's. My local Retail Beer Distributor sells this pack for less than 15 bucks. It is likely even cheaper in other states.

Cheers!

 

$12.49 in my cart and then my garage (cellar ) yesterday.

 

I haven't seen the Hamm's 30's anywhere yet, but I've seen the 24 packs run around $10.99-$12.99 in many places. Definitely the best value macro on the market IMO (if you like Hamm's).

There was a special at a gas station that had 2 18 packs (36 beers) for $19.99 of High Life. That's pretty close to being on par with the Hamm but now your splitting hairs on spare change so who really cares.

 

It happens to be in my top 5 of favorite AALs.

Number 1 for me is Yuengling Lord Chesterfield and numbers 2-5 are pretty much 'equal' for me.

Cheers!

 

Hamms here are 24/ $12-$13 I believe, but I rarely ever buy by the case anymore, but easily the best deal in beer. The Gansett pounders are I think $5.99 for a 6/16s, it’s also a great value.

 

Yup, and I listed two in post #37 above.

Cheers!