Balashi - Browerij Nacional Balashi

wofat

Pennsylvania

1.7/5  rDev -40.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

This brew came direct from Aruba in a small (22cl) bottle from a friend who knows I like weird beers. The green bottle scares me a little as this friend would have no idea to keep it out of the light. Oh well... here we go.

Pours a 'slightly darker than coors light' straw color with very very little head. The aroma is a light, european hop such as EKG or possibly a Saaz. The flavor quickly reminds me of a Heineken, just with a less potent hop/skunk flavor. The flavor is mild but actually quite refreshing. A light 'malt' flavor that is a little out of balance with the stronger hop presence. However, this beer is quite tasty for its purpose.

POW - what is that flavor? Cardboard? With each sip it gets stronger. I now have the same taste in my mouth as I did when I sealed the 120 envelopes for our wedding invitations. FLASHBACKS!! Wow... at first this beer tasted pretty good... but I am not sure I can handle the aftermath. I am sure that in Aruba, it would taste pretty good on the beach in 100 degree heat with nothing else around.

Maybe it just got skunked. Maybe I got a bad one. However, since I have no other 'fresh' ones to compare it to, I would suggest you only drink it if you like licking postage stamps and gnawing on cardboard.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2003 23:44:53 | More by wofat

Mike

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev +13.2%

05-17-2013 16:43:12 | More by Mike

NOLANDMAN

Massachusetts

2/5  rDev -30.3%

05-14-2013 04:58:14 | More by NOLANDMAN

Screper

Massachusetts

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%

05-08-2013 21:59:18 | More by Screper

Noelito76

New York

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%

03-17-2013 15:45:50 | More by Noelito76

Cardmarauder

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -4.2%

02-25-2013 01:13:49 | More by Cardmarauder

VALIS666

New Hampshire

2.25/5  rDev -21.6%

02-12-2013 23:24:28 | More by VALIS666

Tarks

Manitoba (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev +13.2%

02-09-2013 02:44:50 | More by Tarks

KateK

Iowa

2.25/5  rDev -21.6%

01-28-2013 05:04:48 | More by KateK

StArnoldFan

Texas

3/5  rDev +4.5%

01-22-2013 13:44:20 | More by StArnoldFan

Vinylboy20

New York

3/5  rDev +4.5%

01-04-2013 03:54:37 | More by Vinylboy20

PaBeerLover

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -4.2%

12-17-2012 14:34:08 | More by PaBeerLover

kpartsch

2.75/5  rDev -4.2%

10-30-2012 01:01:28 | More by kpartsch

ThinkAgain

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev +4.5%

10-24-2012 18:01:48 | More by ThinkAgain

bzach

Indiana

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%

10-16-2012 05:11:00 | More by bzach

MadCat

New Jersey

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Pale yellow, not much head or lacing

Smell: Malt, grain, corn

Taste: Malt sweetness, with some corn and grain notes

Mouthfeel: Crisp and refreshing

Overall: Not a bad beer to have when you're sweating on the beach, but it is nothing to be savored. Would likely lose its appeal in any other setting. Not a bad beer, but I preferred cocktails on my stay in Aruba.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 01:55:26 | More by MadCat

JSTpt1022

New York

3.75/5  rDev +30.7%

10-01-2012 02:22:52 | More by JSTpt1022

Molnar

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +30.7%

09-24-2012 01:34:31 | More by Molnar

dumptruck81

Texas

3/5  rDev +4.5%

07-26-2012 18:47:03 | More by dumptruck81

Kmccabe33

Georgia

3.43/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Currently sitting by the pool and enjoying one fresh. Although yes this may not be a great beer, it is good for what it is. Decent taste, nothing really to note on color or mouthfeel. It is cool to have while in Aruba As I would much prefer it to other American light beers, but this is nothing to seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2012 18:44:37 | More by Kmccabe33

Dizzy242

Massachusetts

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%

07-08-2012 11:55:28 | More by Dizzy242

carteravebrew

Colorado

2/5  rDev -30.3%

06-19-2012 20:54:12 | More by carteravebrew

TimoP

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -4.2%

05-28-2012 03:51:51 | More by TimoP

Ktmktm01

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%

05-12-2012 20:46:02 | More by Ktmktm01

macrosmatic

Florida

3/5  rDev +4.5%

04-10-2012 02:30:03 | More by macrosmatic