James Boag's Premium Lager - J. Boag & Son Brewing

BEERchitect

Kentucky

1.63/5  rDev -47.4%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Well, the Alstrom Bros. asked us all to be nice and practice diplomacy when reveiwing beer. Having said that, ...this beer is horrible. Well, actually, they asked us to give reasons why the beer is rated poorly if we, in fact, do. First, the beer leap out of the green bottle with a medium hue and low levels of carbonation. The aromas of cream corn gives my first impression. At second sniff, I also smell skunk aromas (uuummm...breakfast of champions.) The taste is, unfortunately similar to the characteristics found in the nose, though not as strong. The beer is adjuct laden, giving a grain flavor and texture. Little in the complexity department. The flavor does have light apple and pear flavors to go along with its moderate malt flavor; which saves this beer from hosting a really bad rating. The finish is sweet and less than refreshing. Almost scrubbed to the throat. Simply, not a good offtering.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2006 12:35:26 | More by BEERchitect

thekanna

Maryland

1.93/5  rDev -37.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A: Darker yellow bordering on orange with a largely dissipative white head.

S: Extremely clean scent; even malts are hardly detectable.

T: This was like seltzer water with hints of beer flavoring. Extremely bland, maybe a couple hop molecules floating here and there. I was surprised by how tasteless this beer was.

M/D: Watery with medium carbonation. Not very drinkable at all.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2010 07:28:08 | More by thekanna

Brad007

Vermont

2/5  rDev -35.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a very pale yellow color with a thin one-finger head. Aroma is mostly malt/cooked corn with some fruitiness and not much else. Taste is cooked corn with bitterness that makes it unpleasant to drink. A second sip confirms the same thing except that there's more sweetness than bitterness here. I don't honestly see anything "premium" about this lager.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2007 00:20:04 | More by Brad007

mikesgroove

South Carolina

2/5  rDev -35.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Whatever made me try this one I will never know. More then likely because of the fact I had not had it, was in Outback, and figured what the heck. It poured out a clear, pale golden yellow with a huge amount of carbonation inside. Lots of bubbles stretching up toward the surface throughout the session. A small white, fizzy, soda like head formed on the top and hung around for a brief second before finally settling down and leaving nothing across the top, nor any side glass lace.

The aroma was dull, boring, and bland. This was your classic macro lager. Light aroma of grain and rice and that was about it. The taste went nowhere as well. While it was crisp and refreshing, so is water and this was not what I wanted at the time. Very light grain flavor and no depth at all. The finish was non-existent and there was nothing really redeeming about this at all.

Overall, I would not recommend this. It was a miller lite with a different label. Really a poor excuse for a beer, I really hate lagers.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2008 10:38:02 | More by mikesgroove

airforbes1

New York

2/5  rDev -35.5%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I was at Outback and feeling foolish enough to ask for an overpriced bottle of Coopers Ale. Tickers gotta tick and it's an not an adjunct lager, right? Well, I was soon informed they were out of Coopers Ale but that they also had "James Boag's, which is similar." I was even more foolish and took them up on their offer.

Then I saw the bottle and learned this beer was a "premium" (read: cheap) lager, which means it should have nothing in common with Coopers Ale other than the fact they are both from Australia.

It poured straw yellow with a fizzy head. Then came the smell: SKUNK. But isn't that to be expected for an imported pale lager in a bottle?

It was somewhat difficult to judge the taste as the skunky aroma dominated my senses. The taste was inoffensive and flavorless, but I couldn't escape the skunky sensation. The mouthfeel was OK...just your typical fizzy lager carbonation at work.

A pretty weak beer and not worth the "import" price. At least I got a tick out of it.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 03:54:48 | More by airforbes1

jdhilt

New Hampshire

2.05/5  rDev -33.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Pours a three-fingered white head that slowly fades to a thin layer leaving a good lace. Clear pale amber color. Light carbonation and light bodied. Skunky nose. Flavor is sweet corn with hops in background, good lawnmower beer. Why are premium lagers not premium?? $1.50 for a 12 oz bottle from Capital Convenience Concord, NH.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2007 22:27:48 | More by jdhilt

andrewm190

North Carolina

2.05/5  rDev -33.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

let me first caution by saying I drank this beer at a Qdoba. That said, it reminded me of a Corona.
Some cheap beers are just that, cheap. Some of them have a time and a place; occasionally, a cheap beer tastes just right. My initial impression of this beer was that it would fit this mold, of having its own right place, but never being a "good" beer. As I got closer to finishing the bottle, I realized that there was no situation where this beer could usurp the rightful place of say, a budweiser at a ball game, a corona on the beach in the sun (cold as possible, of course) or any other situation based-beers. The smell left nothing, the taste reminded me of a light cheap lager, and was surprisingly similar in taste--I felt- to a Corona. Not a beer I plan to pick up again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2007 05:19:22 | More by andrewm190

khiasmus

South Carolina

2.1/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A- looks like a good pilsner. Two fingers of pillowy head that lasts forever and laces a bit, and a perfectly clear golden body with constant bubbling.

S- A hint of light malt and malt sweetness, and then corn... that's it.

T- Tons more corn, and a tiny bit of sweet malt to balance... but overall, not merely boring, but bad.

M- Medium carbonation, very light body, and a slightly astringent finish. Decent.

D- Yuck. Not the worst macro lager, but pretty bad. Why drink this when you can have Sam Adams?

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2007 01:33:46 | More by khiasmus

dansmcd

Australia

2.1/5  rDev -32.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A - Pours a clear and bright yellow with a trace of a fizzy head despite an aggressive pour. The head fades instantly to a faint ring.

S - Generic corn, sweet grain, grassy lager aroma.

T - Weak. Some grain and corn, a trace of acidic apple skin. No hops detected.

M - Thin, watery, highly carbonated.

O - Certainly not the worst or blandest macro out there, but I wouldnt pay for this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 04:34:58 | More by dansmcd

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

2.13/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Appearance: Poured a clear straw yellow. Two fingers of white head developed and dissipated to a foamy lacing with a ring around the edge.

Smell: Major adjunct corn. That's about it.

Taste: Follows the adjunct aroma. Sweet barnyard-like grains and corn, corn, corn.

Drinkability: It's not much. It's drinkable and inoffensive, but I wonder if it'll give me diarrhea.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2010 05:34:35 | More by TheQuietMan22

tonton

Hong Kong

2.18/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.25

Nice art on the 375ml green bottle, with mountains and a waterfall. Mountain motif on the logo looks nice but it's reminiscent of an American beer label.

Poured like a standard lager into a 33cl Stella glass (my go to glass for lagers which are not my favorite style beers).

Smell - yeast. Smells like a Carlsberg.

Taste - lager. No character. Very typical. Easy to drink, but no discernible flavor except that yeasty lager flavor. Tastes... like a Carlsberg.

Mouth - Carlsberg. Light and carbonated.

Overall - I just paid US$1.75 for a Carlsberg that I could get in a 12-pack for 50¢ Each. Nonplussed. Cut the overall rating in half because of the value proposition.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 12:41:11 | More by tonton

hoegaardenhero

California

2.25/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

a: pale straw with a little bit of white head that fades pretty darn quickly

s: a little bit of metallic scent with some light malts; almost nothing

t: so flavorless; a little bit of raw grain

m: macro lager; light and bubbly

d: one of the worst beers i have had in a long time; weaker than a lot of american macro lagers; never again

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2008 14:06:30 | More by hoegaardenhero

tbeck

Washington

2.25/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Picked this up from the Belmont in Portland, OR.

Pours a pale golden yellow with very little head. What little white head there is dissipates quickly into a small colar. Minor laciness. Aroma is very skunky. Taste also carries the "skunk" as well as some barley. Very sweet and sour aftertaste. The texture is not watery but on the thin side. Flavor is not there to recommend as a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2009 02:44:22 | More by tbeck

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

2.28/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A. 12 oz bottle poured into a frosted pint glass. A bit of fizzy head forms on a clear yellow body. It fades to nothing.

S. Light grains and some sweet corn, maybe a hop or two found their ways into this.

T. Overall, a decent amount of body formed by corn/malt that is a bit sweet. No real hop profile besides a lingering bitterness coupled with a somewhat harsh alcohal taste that I found off-putting.

M. Light and a bit watery. It is what it is.

D. This was a fairly overpriced "import" at a resteraunt and I was fairly unimpressed. Not a great flavor, a bit harsh overall. I'd rather go with Fosters if I was seeking an Aussie Macro Lager.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2008 07:11:07 | More by Stinkypuss

paterlodie

Belgium

2.33/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

BB 13-12-05. Good poorout with a nice head, not overwelming but lasting well. Nose is malts, litle sulphuric and litle oxidated. Taste is sweet malty, very light and probably very high fermented. This and no tastable bitterness make this one pale and flat. Oxidation did his part to it but am shure would pass this one fresh for anything with litle more taste.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2005 23:55:51 | More by paterlodie

Onslow

Texas

2.33/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

smell is of a skumk (swamp scum+skunk) and old grass ... some head, but pretty weak .... "it looks like it could gore".... taste is sweet and the bitterness level needs work... a waste of 10 bucks, maybe if it was $6-7, but probably never ever again... better than fosters and steinlager from NZ but...

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2008 00:46:08 | More by Onslow

AltBock

Ohio

2.4/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

375/12.7 fl oz. green bottle. This green bottle has a really good drawing of the Esk River in Tasmania. It says that it's Tasmania's finest Lager, but the back says it's brewed in Australia. Huh? The only other things on the back label is the US government warning, barcode, and who imported this beer. The wrap around neck label gives information about the beer and the Brewery. No best beofre date anywhere on the bottle or label.

When poured into a Victory pint glass, this Tasmanian beer brewed in Australia is the usual Lager clear and bubbly pale lemon yellow color. But unlike most of their counter parts, this one had a 1/2 and inch head of white foam on it. This head of foam had great retention that left behind a small white film and even streaks of white lace. Very unusual appearance for a simple Lager.

After the appearance, it's right back on the macro Lager track. The aroma was grainy with malted corn, malted rice, a splash of apple juice, and since it came in a grenn bottle, a touch of skunk. Not too much skunk, but you can notice it here and there.

It you ever had a macro Lager before, then you know what this beer is going to taste like. The taste was on the crispy side with malted rice, malted corn, hint of apple juice, and then the taste ends on a bitter note with cripsy floral hops. Nothing new here.

The mouthfeel was on the light side with a crispy aftertaste of malted corn, malted rice, and a tiny touch of floral hops to back up all of the grains.

It was a standard Lager, except for the nice little head of foam on it. That was the only thing that stuck out of this beer. Is it worth a shot? If you never had a Tasmanian beer that was brewed in Australia before. Maybe then.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2008 22:38:19 | More by AltBock

lacqueredmouse

Australia

2.4/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Part of my latest adventures to up my repertoire of beer reviews of generic Australian beers.

Pours a very light, very clear yellow colour, with a minimally weak head of white, which dissipates almost immediately to a loose collar around the edges of the glass, despite a pretty vigorous pour. Minimal lacing. Looks very insipid.

Not a lot on the nose, although there's a pleasant crushed vegetation greenness to it that lifts it above the more generic sweet grain husk character. For the style, it's reasonable - I've had far worse and far more bland Aussie lagers.

Taste is disappointingly thin, without any hint of the hops the green character hinted at. Bland seltzer water start, with some grainy notes mid palate and an unpleasant wet bread sweetness to finish. It's remarkably empty, but has an odd acidity to it that conjures up bile. Eh.

It's not really that offensive, it just has very little to offer. You could probably swill this down alright for a while, but after a couple you'd probably start to hate yourself.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 09:12:10 | More by lacqueredmouse

heygeebee

Australia

2.48/5  rDev -20%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Hmm, I am starting to get little weary of words to describe Aussie Macros, due to the consistent flavours they all take on.

Bought at a cafe, not a lot else to appeal that I had not tried in a while.

Pours OK, looks the part, golden straw, quickly fading head.

Then... aromasandtastereallyquitenondescriptnblandalrightonacolddaydrunkfromtheeskybutapartfromthatitsblandthebeeryouydrinkwhenyoudontwantabeer

Not too bad a fizz factor tho. Sweetness overall is a no-no. No crispness is also a no-no.

So why don't mainstream brewers put some flavour in the beer?

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 00:04:56 | More by heygeebee

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

2.5/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Standard Aussie lager, not much flavour to speak of, but quite smooth and crisp, sadly i don't think this will imporve now that San Miguel has moved in.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2002 21:02:22 | More by rastaman

hunteraw

China

2.5/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Sampled at Outback Steakhouse - expectations weren't high, and they weren't disappointed. Pours from a green bottle a light yellow color, little head and no lacing. Mild, lagery nose, some apple and adjunct. Taste is cidery, bit of lemon tartness and vinous character. Mouthfeel is slick, body is light. Drinkability is weak - I quickly switched to Cooper's Sparkling, which while not great is heads and shoulders above this swill.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2007 23:47:53 | More by hunteraw

Seanibus

California

2.53/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

If I didn't know better, I would say this is simply Molson in another bottle. Pours incredibly pale with a light white head. Smells a bit of honey with a slight bitterness The aroma carries through to the flavor, which is slightly honeyish - thin, slightly malty with only the faintest echo of hops. Mouthfeel is pure water. Not horrible, but nothing worth bothering about either.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2008 20:41:58 | More by Seanibus

hangh

Alabama

2.55/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Light golden yellow color. Remarkably clear but not in a good way. Little carbonation bubbles. Thick clumpy 2" head.

S - Barely detectable smell

T - Tastes pretty bland. No real taste. It's pretty watery which is why the color is so diluted. Little hoppy taste at the end but very very mild. It's average at best.

MF - Light bodied and crisp. Barely carbonated.

D - High drinkability if you're trying to get drunk. If you're looking for taste with a meal pass.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2010 03:14:54 | More by hangh

Frozensoul327

Michigan

2.58/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: Clear golden yellow color with a small head of white foam. Minor lacing, and a medium level of carbonation.

S: Grassy aroma with hints of light malts and adjuncts. A mild hop presence is noted. Slightly skunky as well.

T: Bland, yet tolerable. Mild notes of malt and grain mix with other adjunct-y flavors for a rather lackluster flavor. Complexity is decidedly missing. Not a whole lot going on. Skunky flavor translated from the aroma, and develops into a cloying sweetness.

M: Fair. Light on the palate and somewhat crisp. Goes down easy enough, but is otherwise forgettable.

D: Aw, I could take it or leave it. Certainly wouldn't invest more money in a sixer of it.

Notes: What the hell do the folks down under REALLY drink?! Not Foster's, not this stuff, Cooper's maybe? Anyone? Please, help me with this pondering and pestering question.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2007 03:36:32 | More by Frozensoul327

hyland24

New York

2.58/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a pilsner glass.

The beer poured a clear golden color with 1 inch white foam head. The beer had good carbonation and no lacing to speak of.

The smell is the typical lager smell, slightly hoppy with a stronger hoppy aftertaste.

The taste was also typical of what I expect from a lager, watered down small hop tatse.

The beer is light, crisp and clean. The flavor disappears fairly quickly after you swallow it. Overall I am not impressed by this beer. Not enough flavor for my liking but that tends to be the case with a lot of lagers. If you do like it it definitely falls into the session category.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2008 19:31:30 | More by hyland24