Kalnapilis 7.30 - Alaus Darykla Kalnapilis

ktrillionaire

Florida

2.85/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This beer was highly recommended to me by the (idiot) at the beer store. It's not that bad, but it is not one to 'highly recommend'.

A: Normal looking lager, with a clear, pale yellow color. One inch of white head, but little retention.

S: It smells like an average euro lager, but a bit 'hot' in the booze dept.

T: Initially smooth lager flavors and crisp effervescence suggest a refreshing beer, but then a flood of sweet boozy malt liquor taste trainwrecks the brew.

M: Drinks hot, and is the kind of beer you swallow a gulp at a time so as to minimize exposure to the unpleasant finish.

D: It would make a lovely gift to your alcoholic uncle, if you can wrest that bottle of Steel Reserve from his soused clutches.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2009 01:42:47 | More by ktrillionaire

Alex-by

Belarus

3.34/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A - Сlear, transparent golden color. Usual for lagers.

S - Almost nothing... Mostly malts, but there is something alcoholy too.

T - Nothing special, lost most lagers. Light and hopsy.

M - Light bodied, medium carbonation.

O - Nothing really special. Usual lager, which will probably be good when you feel thirsty.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 19:21:36 | More by Alex-by

Theshooster

Korea (South)

3.75/5  rDev +27.6%

12-10-2012 05:32:26 | More by Theshooster

bcsbeer

Florida

3/5  rDev +2%

12-02-2012 19:27:00 | More by bcsbeer

TrikeAir

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +19%

10-21-2012 01:07:08 | More by TrikeAir

Kopfmeister60

Florida

3.25/5  rDev +10.5%

09-21-2012 14:32:23 | More by Kopfmeister60

devinoconnor

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clean pale brown with a little head from a 23oz bottle. Smell is malty and alcoholy, somewhat expected from a lager at 7.3% ABV.

I liked the taste... not usually much of a lager fan (with the exception of Yuengling - local roots), but this one is enjoyable and complex.

Easy drinking and nice foreign brew that's a fun talking point.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 23:15:46 | More by devinoconnor

stoepsel

Spain

3.78/5  rDev +28.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Transparent golden body with thin white head - nothing extraordinary but not too ugly either.
First sip is relatively mild. The alcohol manages to hide well behind a nice flavour of nuts.
The aftertaste is awesome. It reminds me of polish bison grass vodka with just a touch of vanilla and a throat warming finish.
Makes me want to travel Lithuania to get more.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 11:06:38 | More by stoepsel

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A friend recently gave me some Lithuanian beers to try, and this was the second one I tried. Poured into a tall pilsener glass. It's a brown bottle, but pours with a very pale yellow color for a 7.3% beer. Lots of champagne-like carbonation. Decent sized head, and moderate amounts of lacing. Smell was boozy. Taste was like a macro lager, with lots of corn and malt. There was a lot more alcohol ester up front on this one. Also, this beer was sticky sweet on the palate. The combination of the sweetness and the alcohol were not overly pleasurable. This beer is drinkable, but I would not opt for a second bottle in a row. I preferred the Kalnapilis Grand over this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2010 05:25:54 | More by morebeergood

HellDuke

Lithuania

3.65/5  rDev +24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer might be more to the liking of people who like stronger beers. Personally my review is from the side of your average evening drinker who tends to go drink with his friends or open a bottle or two when watching a movie.

It's in a bottle bought in your regular grocery store (or whatever is the equivalent of what we have here).

From the looks it seems nice, however nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing much to say about appearance.

The smell is just about average as you'd find in most good beers, however it has a small hint of a smell I can't really identify (not sure what else smells like that). That covers the smell.

The taste as you drink it is good, however nothing that would make it stand out out of other beers. Out of the strong beers it doesn't have any big advantage in taste, however I would suggest something slightly lighter with a better taste, one that you might prefer.

Now we come to the downside of this particular brew. The mouth feel or as I call it the aftertaste. The moment it touches your lips and is in your mouth it is definitely better than average, but when it goes down your throat the taste it leaves is definetely too strong for my liking. It's a rather strange taste and might seem too bitter for an average drinker. Especially to be avoided if you are in the US where you are used to lighter beers than what we call regular. This is the thing that makes the beer good for one bottle on occasions, but not something you'd drink evening to evening unless you like stronger beers (and even then I would suggest trying something else if you can't take stronger bitter aftertastes).

All in all it's a good beer for one round if you are a casual drinker that likes to have a bottle or two with your friends or while watching a movie every couple of evenings. I'd suggest you try one and if it's not to your liking after the first try, just go for something else, since it's more suitable to someone with the specific preference of taste.

On a side note: I wrote this review while having a bottle of it right next to me (just a few sips left) so all the experiences are refreshed (actually they are just as I remember them). Also I want to say that I drank it straight from the bottle so I can't confirm what it looks like poured

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 21:52:15 | More by HellDuke

Flightoficarus

Washington

2.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Serving type - 500 ml bottle into glass

A - Pours a fairly clear, golden straw like color, much like more familiar lagers. Makes me think of Heineken, for whatever reason

S - There is barely anything there, but what I can make out are faint, cereal like grains, and almost unnoticeable hops, along with a slight alcohol presence.

T - Light, cereal like grains, and extremely basic, along with a slightly skunky flavor. Alcohol makes it's presence known as well. Not terrible, but not that great either.

M - Light bodied, and moderately carbonated. Not much else to say really.

D - The high point of this beer really. It's awfully drinkable for 7.3% alcohol, but that's probably the only good thing I can say

Overall - I find it interesting this beer won a gold medal in the world beer cup (according to the bottle). It's not completely terrible, but it's not so good either. It was cheap though. Finishable, but I wouldn't buy it again. I'd honestly take a marco-lager over this. Not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2010 06:46:55 | More by Flightoficarus

drpimento

Wisconsin

3.05/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

At first I was about ready to write this one off - but after a few more sips I found myself liking it a bit more. Poured with a nice off white medium head that quickly subsides to a thin cover and no lace. Color is a clear straw yellow. Aroma is malty sweet with a hint of hop. Flavor at first is like aroma, but then gives way to a slight bitterness in the end. Mouth is decent and so is carbonation. Finsih is on the short side, clean, and fair. I could drink a few more with no problems if there wasn't something with a little more character available.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2010 00:30:24 | More by drpimento

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.55/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Caught somewhere between a Bohemian Lager and a Witbier, this beer offers as much intrigue as confusion.

A hazy straw color (actually canary yellow) with stark white foamstance, light lacing and nice retention. The beer has a good amount of wheat, contributing to the appearance.

Aromas are much like most Bohemian Pisners with the hop aroma a bit subdued but also allowing more hop sweetness to rise. Acidic fruits of lemons, lime, crabapples, and berries help to decorate the beer in a moderately estery fashion.

Flavors are crisp, clean and forward with citrus fruit flavors but not the bitterness associated with American hops. These seem to come from yeast and malt. Bready with wheat and barley throughout.

Moderate-heavy texture carries a lot of creaminess (again eluding to wheat). But finishes with a crisp cracker-like dryness.

A good beer as long as you don't get offended by style definitions.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2010 03:17:48 | More by BEERchitect

thecheese86

Illinois

2.33/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours out in a light yellow color with a thin head. Has a slight tin taste and a mild but lingering after taste. I chose this beer because I enjoy lagers and have not had a Lithuanian. Was not impressed, but it was cold and crisp. Could use a more difinitive taste that doesn't hang around as long.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2009 04:02:41 | More by thecheese86

weissbierdrinker

Belgium

2.63/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear yellow color with a crisp white head that fades quickly leaving very little lace.

Smell is faint hay, maybe some thin hop notes

Taste is sweet corn through to the end when a mild bit of hops is present in the aftertaste. Some metallic notes up front.

Light bodied beer that taste cheap, I'm not really impressed with this beer but it is cold and does quench my thirst, although it leaves some unpleasant aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 17:43:34 | More by weissbierdrinker

cudmud

Illinois

2.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours with a large head that quickly dissipated to a thin film of foam. What little foam there is, produces a thin ring of lace. The beer's color reminds me of Mller High Life.

There isn't much going on with the aroma. It kind of smells of wet grass. Very light on the hops and malt aromas and no esters noted.

The tase is thin and pedestrian. A sligh hint of hops are noted in the aftertaste.

There is nothing special in drinkability and mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2009 01:41:56 | More by cudmud

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +27.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A 500 mL bottle from Liquid Solutions.

A: The strong lager is a pale yellow color that is completely translucent. Two fingers of white head didn't last long but left legs in their wake.

S: The nose has a strong whiff of alcohol up front, followed by grass, citrus and malts o' plenty.

T: The lager's first sip isn't as harsh as you'd think. Booze is present but not overwhelming. The malts are bready, paired with grassy hops. The sweetness of the malts, based on the concentrated body, is evident and quite heavy. The booze hits like a hammer; a tough beer to get through.

M: The lager is full and strong, packing a wallop. The malt sweetness is a pleasant distraction from the weight of the booze.

D: If I stuck with this beer all night long. I'd suffer through the worst hangover in the history of mankind tomorrow. I'll be thankful that this is my only bottle and I'll pray that my Lithuanian brothers embrace the craft movement.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2009 21:53:38 | More by akorsak

SetarconeX

Florida

1.9/5  rDev -35.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Looks like your typical lager. Maybe ever so slightly cloudy, but for the most part clear. Smells ever so slightly sweet, almost rum-like, but not particularly strong.

Tastes....egad! Ever been into an outhouse on a particularly hot and humid day? There's a heavy, highly astringent flavor when you first sip it, which is almost immediately overtaken by an overwhelming bitterness. This isn't your standard hop bitterness either, but something more akin to the bitterness you get from eating a jar of marmite straight.

This is simply a terrible, terrible beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2009 00:27:13 | More by SetarconeX

Rayek

Colorado

2.28/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A: Cloudy gold with swirling carbonation from minuscule bubbles. Firm white cap has excellent retention, but only leaves small bits of lace in its wake.

S: Slightly musty, with aromas of cut grass, lemon, straw and lettuce.

T: Starts out fine cold, but gets progressively worse as the beer warms. Straw like malt comes on first. A moderate bitterness provides nice balance with a pronounced lemon and pepper bite. Toward the finish, the beer starts becoming very metallic. Steamed veggies creep into the metallic finish. As the beer warms, the metal and vegetative flavors become more and more pronounced. When all is said and done, an odd lemon, pepper, metal and vegetable flavor combination lingers in the mouth.

M: Medium body is grainy and has just about the right amount of fizz.

D: This beer started out OK. The odd metal and veggie flavors aren't that present while this beer is cold. As it warms; however, the beer becomes rather unpleasant. It's not wince inducing, but it's still not enjoyable. In the end, this is another mediocre Euro Lager.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2009 16:31:55 | More by Rayek

ABOWMan

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pale yellow with a nice white 2" head of foam.

Smell: Very mild, almost non-descript.

Taste: Better than your average Baltic beer. Slightly sweet with an unusual aftertaste,almost like watermellon.

Mouthfeel: Thin

Drinkability: Not bad for a beer thats 7.3% abv.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2009 23:18:47 | More by ABOWMan

GilGarp

Colorado

2.9/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Picked this one up for three reasons:

1. never had a beer from Lithuania
2. never had a euro strong lager
3. only cost $2.49

Pours into an imperial pint glass with good head formation, average pale golden yellow color, and a slight bit of haze. Head diminishes quickly but leaves some lacing behind.

Aroma is big in a malty, yeasty, corny kind of way. Not pleasant but probably about right for a strong lager.

Flavor seems to be mostly composed of crap grains like corn and rice. It's sweet and fairly mild considering the ABV. Alcohol is evident on the finish with a drying sensation.

Mouthfeel is fine in that it isn't too much of anything and it's nicely carbonated.

Hopefully Lithuania keeps the good stuff to themselves because this export is mediocre at best.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2008 21:46:37 | More by GilGarp

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured a bright orange with a thin frothy white capping that quickly collapsed with no visible lacing.

S: fresh lemon peels, faint oranges, and overall was very faint in nature.

T: light sour oranges, lemon peels, with a touch of musky grains and a dash of pepper. A mild spicy lemony hopping a very faint fresh grassiness lingers in the background. There is some spicy fruitiness (warm apples) and a noticeable spicy alcohol detection from the 7.5% abv.

M: light fullness, smooth in texture with hardly a trace of carbonation to be found. Some sour fruitiness upon warming and on the swallow.

D: Average drinkability, and definitely one of the better beers out of Lithuania, though wouldn't rush out and buy a sixer. Won gold in the world beer cup 2004.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2008 19:04:18 | More by beerthulhu

shirfan

New York

2.58/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Faintly cloudy gold with a little lace.

Sweet, slightly adjuncty aroma. Hints of honey and orange.

Taste: I agree with the majority of previous reviews -- this is basically a "gourmet" Eastern European malt liquor. Compared to something like Dad's Little Helper from Rogue, it holds its own. Sweet but not cloying, corn and malt are offset by a moderate dose of noble hops in the finish.

However, there's a distinct note of cheap vodka or perhaps fusel alcohol, detrimental to a beer that would otherwise be palatable if not good.

Kalnapilis Original is a better beer, but this one is worth at least a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2008 00:13:15 | More by shirfan

generallee

New York

2.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: It was poured from a brown 500ml. bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: It had a pale, light golden yellow color with a tall foamy head. The head is just off white in color and it fades quickly, leaving some lace behind.

Smell: The aroma is strong and full of floral and some grassy hops. Also in the nose there are light grainy adjunct notes.

Taste/Mouth feel: Hop and malt flavors are light but there is a decent bitterness and a noticeable grain alcohol presence. It had a light body with a thin watery texture and its carbonation was light to average.

Notes: This is a very basic or average strong Euro Lager.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2008 21:56:00 | More by generallee

aerozeppl

New York

2.85/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Pours a pale golden color with 2 fingers of quickly vanishing head. No lacing.

S: Sweet malt smell. Not much of a nose at all. Some alcohol.

T: Corn. I can taste all the adjuncts. I agree with the previous reviewer about a "gourmet malt liquor"

M: Light body but very crisp. Light carbonation.

D: For what it is it is a very drinkable beer. Not sure I would ever buy it again but I would totally house this during an open bar. Much better options out there.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2008 22:47:41 | More by aerozeppl