Cool for Cats
Written: Feb 01 '08 (Updated Feb 01 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Crisp and refreshing
Cons: Bland and tasteless
The Bottom Line: Chill
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| proxam's Full Review: Labatt ICE |
You'd think people would know me by now. When I say people, I'm particularly referring to family members (who shall remain nameless). Y'know the type. The ones that think 'He likes beer, doesn't he? We'll get him one of those gift packs - A Selection of Beers from Around the World'.
*Sigh*
A Selection of Beers from Around the World. A euphemism for 'beers that we can't sell any other way usually but we can punt them out for twice the r.r.p. at xmas because those mugs will buy absolutely anything at this time of year'.
*Sigh*
Oh well, they mean well and a gift is a gift. So it would be churlish, not to mention downright ungrateful and means pirited of me not to cherish this gift...or at least drink the beer.
First one out the box was Labatt's Ice beer from Canada.
Labatt Ice was first brewed way back in 1993 and was the world's first Ice Brewed beer (how did we manage before then?). Apparently, it's fully fermented then chilled to around -4°C until ice crystals are formed and are then removed. I'm thinking just don't freeze it in the first place and save yourself the hassle of removing the ice, no?
Meanwhile...
A guy walks into the pub and his mate asks, 'You're late. Where have you been?'
- 'I was at the cemetery...just buried the mother-in-law.'
'Sorry to hear that. But why is your face all scratched?'
- 'Well...she put up one heck of a fight.'
Back to the beer...
THEY SAY:
"Labatt Ice uses a unique blend of specially selected North American and European aromatic hops that result in a smooth, full flavour, with a lighter taste than other higher-alcohol products."
This beer pours a ridiculously clear, rich golden colour with oodles of tiny bubbles rising to form a frothy head of white foam which lasts surprisingly well and manages to coat the glass with some good sheets of lace.
The aroma is a little nondescript - beery (there's a shock), sweet and grainy with a touch of grassy hops although this is very subtle and easily missed. There's not a lot more going on aroma-wise, like I said, just a general 'beery' nuance.
It's medium bodied with an initially crisp mouth feel which soon turns a little smoother. It's not too heavily carbonated which is a bonus.
The taste is pretty ordinary. A wee hint of sweet malt up front, with a suggestion of hop-related bitterness lingering in the background. It's a little grassy, somewhat floral, and the merest pinch of spice threatens to break through but you've got to look really hard to find any of it. It finishes with a decent hint of bitterness, and a faint feint towards dryness, but at least it finishes.
* The Verdict *
At 5.6% ABV, this is an amazingly ordinary beer. I'm not sure of the benefits of ice brewing, but I'm guessing fuller flavour and deeper character aren't among them. To be fair, it's refreshing and thirst quenching and it's crisp and sharp. But it's pretty tasteless stuff. There's nothing much to distinguish it between a crateful of other macro lagers. I've had worse, but I don't think I'd have this again, it's just not worth the effort. However, if you're looking for something that doesn't require too much input from your tastebuds, or won't clash with food (believe me, there'll be no clash of flavours with this one), then I suppose it's OK.
Would I drink it again? - DEFINITELY! When hell freezes over.
More Canadian beers:
Unibroue Trois Pistoles
Labatt Blue
Molson Canadian
Moosehead Lager
Sláinte
©proxam2008
Recommended:
Yes
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proxam
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Location: De Leving's Toun
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About Me:
Alcohol & calculus don't mix. Don't drink & derive
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