Amstel Light - Amstel Brouwerij B. V.

mgironta

New Jersey

1.8/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This brew poured with a half finger of pure white head that actually took awhile to dissipated. The body was a clear, straw yellow with moderate visible carbonation. The nose was very mild with a hint of grain and nothing else. The taste was…well…pretty terrible. I got a hint of grass, grain and metal. The body was thicker than expected with moderate carbonation. The metal lasted until the finish that was luckily pretty quick. Nothing about this beer was very pleasant. I would definitely avoid this one.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2012 02:40:10 | More by mgironta

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Pours a clean pale yellow color with a small white head. In the aroma, faint sweetness to a standard European lager. In the taste, dry malt and a small bite, but thin and not much going on. A small bite and light bodied mouthfeel, with a dry standard lager kind of aftertaste. Nothing too exciting here, I guess that is why I don't golf!

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2011 13:31:53 | More by OWSLEY069

Derranged

New York

2.3/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I used to drink this a lot before I discovered Heineken light, before I knew what good beer was.

A- Pale golden in color.

S- Grains, a little skunk.

T- Not much going on, slight metallic, watery grains with mild bitterness.

M- Very carbonated and thin.

D- Because the taste isn't much, I guess its another easy pounder, but not something I enjoy anymore.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2010 22:06:08 | More by Derranged

rvdoorn

Netherlands

2.45/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Amstel-lite, the home beer of the Feyenoord football stadium in Rotterdam. In the Netherlands, it is often not allowed to drink "normal" pilsner beers before and during a football match (because of the alcohol). So instead of alcohol-free beer, the stadium management decided to serve low-alcohol beer. Seems a fair choice, and, on top of that, this low-calorie beer also suits any diet ;)

Poured into a plastic beaker. The beer poured a typical yellow-straw pilsner color, with a big fluffy head.

Smell: almost not there, some malts. That's it.

Taste: Like a normal pilsner, only weaker. Malts and hops, with some strange, dusty taste in the middle that I cannot really describe (some type of grain maybe).

Mouthfeel: thin and watery. Medium carbonation

Overall: Well, what to say. Not a great pilsner, as my fellow BA-members also indicate in the rating. However, I think that most people here seem to forget, that this beer has almost NO calories. Given that fact, I think the brewers did a great job, still being able to put so much taste in. But in general, if you don't have any overweight and not on a diet, avoid!

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2009 10:24:46 | More by rvdoorn

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

2.8/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I had this on-tap at Flip and Bailey's in Rosemont, PA where it came in a pint glass.
Appearance: The body is a clear dark golden color, topped with nothing but air.
Smell: The aroma is completely absent as well.
Taste: The taste is fresh and a bit hoppy with a hint of pale malt that acts as a backbone.
Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is very crisp and refreshing.
Drinkability: I don't believe this is as bad as the other reviews make it seem.
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2009 00:32:11 | More by treehugger02010

Only23

New York

3.23/5  rDev +34%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Almost too clear when poured, very little head and watery taste. It's very easy to put down a few in a short time because of the lack of overall "beer taste." It has a lighter feel and taste than typical American light beers but has a better drinkability

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2009 19:27:34 | More by Only23

armock

New York

2.35/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A - Poured a clear golden color with a thin white head that leaves some lacing

S - Is of sweet grainy malt

T - Has a pretty sweet taste thats not all that good

M - This beer has a light body with high carbonation to it

D - Not good I don't know how this stuff is popular with some people I guess marketing goes a long way

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2008 21:56:21 | More by armock

GoodKnight1220

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev +28.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this beer on-tap at the local brew-pub.

Poured a light yellow like most light beers, not much to the smell but malt and grain.

The taste was similar to the smell light malt and heavy grain.

Mouthfeel was good and smooth.

Overall this is really not a bad light brew. i could drink this with no problem and is a good beer for after mowing the grass.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2008 01:00:41 | More by GoodKnight1220

auxiliary

Rhode Island

2.65/5  rDev +10%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

appearance - Clear golden color, and a white head.

smell - some malt and a skunky smell.

taste - Some malt present, but not sweet. Some hops also, but again, not too overwelming. Not much going on.

mouthfeel - Water, light-medium body.

drinkability - ahh, something try when going out. Worth a try when going out if they don't sell anythingelse.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2008 04:28:38 | More by auxiliary

dsa7783

New Jersey

2.73/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Had this on-tap for the first time at Legal Sea Foods in Short Hills... did its job well for being a light, easily drinkable brew... didn't realize the ABV was so low at 3.5%... went down effortlessly like water... straw-colored, gold appearance with no head... bland, typical, average brew smell, and the taste wasn't anything to write home about... bland, unappealing, and uninviting, tasted very macro-like with an obvious corn flavor... drinkability was easy because of the low ABV, but definitely would not want to have more than one of these in a single setting... just wanted to try it...

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2008 12:32:19 | More by dsa7783

teg8612

Texas

2.6/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Straw colored yellow, a light version of a pale ale. Lacing is low.

S- Typical import lager smell. Has a touch of cooked veggies.

T&M- Malt is thin with some grain and husk flavors. Hop bite is okay and leaves a crisp, clean finish with minimal aftertaste.

D- For a light beer, it is okay but I would just stick with a light, crisper style before moving to this on a regular basis. A good kolsch or helles is a better choice. This can be expensive so just go for the good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2006 13:20:20 | More by teg8612

aquatonex

New York

2/5  rDev -17%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Was on special at Friday's, figured I'd give it a shot.

Pours light piss colored, slight swirls of head. Lightly carbonated. Smell is immediately skunky with light notes of 'beer', but not much else. Taste is also rather like bitterish seltzer, but the taste isn't so bad as to not be drinkable. Mouthfeel? It's a light beer and goes down like one. All in all, I've had better light beers, but it could be worse.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2006 03:35:33 | More by aquatonex

casualbeerman

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev +57.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Believe it or not the comercials you see about this stuff aren't lying. To date, Amstel Light (all 95 calories per 12 oz serving worth), is the best most beerlike light beer I have had. I include cheater Sam Adams Light (they stretch the definition of "light" with like 125 calories vs I think 150 for a regular bottle of Boston Lager) in that statement. Appearance is kind of odd because on the one hand it has a nice deep brown color, but on the other it is obviously a little watery looking, the result being that dark brown color is nearly transparent. It does manage to maintain a surprisingly stable head for a light beer. Smell is pleasant, you know hoppy, a bit of malt, a bit of yeast, basically what a normal beer is supposed to smell like. Taste is quite good. Some sweet malt, balanced presence of hops that are of decent quality, if not too exciting. A little yeast is in there too, and obviously this is a very clean tasting beer. Mouthfeel IS a bit on the watery side, but not to the point where you actually think you are drinking water whenever you take a sip without looking right at the glass. Drinkability is excellent since not only does this beer taste pretty good, but it obviously does not weight you down, plus you're packing on fewer calories and not getting as drunk either. Is this going to fool you into thinking you just drank an oatmeal stout, an extra bitter, or a dopplebock? Of course not. It is still a bit on the watery side in fact. But it does a better job of hiding the fact that its a light beer than any other I've tried yet. And that slighty watery liquid at least has some real beer flavor present, if not as much richness as even I would like. Take it from me, you are not likely to find a better light beer in a regular bar. In fact, I could definately see ordering this over some regular beers that don't even make me wretch when I think about drinking them (MGD, Beck's, Rolling Rock, and Corona for example)

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2006 07:50:15 | More by casualbeerman

faubs

Louisiana

3.45/5  rDev +43.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Here the bit. It’s a tasty brew with out a doubt, but….its got the same color as the domestics, the same mouth feel as the domestics, and not much of a head. To be honest the smell leaves a little to be desired, however that being said. Its got pretty good taste, and that my friend is worth overlooking the scent it leaves on my upper lip. Not sure its worth the 8 bucks a sixer though. Stick to the pub on this one to decide if its for you.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2005 07:23:21 | More by faubs

tobyandgina

Nevada

3.85/5  rDev +59.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

After pour, there was a good head on it, which remained for most of the duration. Good amount of bubbles. A very light golden color, almost too light. Smell was pretty good, malt and wheat are present (also present in taste). A traditional lager flavor. The flavor does not tend to linger on the tongue for very long, though. Very crisp and light. Best served on a hot summer day in a Pilsner glass - very refreshing.

For a light beer, this one is very tastey!

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2005 01:22:02 | More by tobyandgina

BEERchitect

Kentucky

2.63/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A good light lager, and that is saying a lot. It looks golden clear and highly carbonated, like a typical lager. Actually retains a white loosely knit head and laced a bit on the glass. Smelled lightly malty and cereal-like. Slight souring and grainy. Tasted also slightly malty and cereal-like. Exhibited some flavors of butter-popcorn, vegitive, and corn sugar. Body was light and clean. Finish was crisp and clear. No true flavors pronounced themselves, but this beer is good at washing down pizza and nachos.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2005 02:33:37 | More by BEERchitect

ski271

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

I used to love this beer but haven’t had it in a long time... and now I’m not sure what I thought was so great about it. But then again, I don’t like light beers anymore either... I feel the US macros are light enough without watering them down even more. This one is very pale yellow with a medium-sized, white, rapidly diminishing head, and very little lacing. The smell is... well... hardly there, typical of a light beer: grain, light malt, and a touch of DMS. Some malt and the smallest dashes of hops among a grainy and flavor with a slightly yeasty yet astringent, short finish. Mouthfeel is thin and watery, carbonation is quite lively. It’s not that great of a beer, and it definitely loses some points for its cost... but there’s still something about it I like. I don’t think I’d seek this one out very often, but I had it after going for a run earlier and then eating a piece of pizza with too much red pepper sprinkled on it, and it was just what I needed. I guess that’s worth something, right? That, and it's not COMPLETELY lifeless like the bulk of the light beers out there.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2005 20:32:38 | More by ski271

crookedhalo

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pale straw color with a blanched white head that fades into nothingness. Faint grain and rice aroma and a trace amount of hops discernable in the aroma. Watery in taste; but the malt and hops that do come through in the other 4% of the fermented "barley-pop" does have a crisp, clean flavor. Surprisingly, no off-flavors. This very well be the only light lager I'll review because I'm slightly biased against light beers, they seem to me like an anomaly in brewing. Pair it up with some spicy food and this beer fairs pretty well. On its own, it is rather average, even for a light beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2005 06:08:25 | More by crookedhalo

CCUBA

South Carolina

3.08/5  rDev +27.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had this on a cruise. From what I remember, there was not much of a head and was a golden yellow color. Taste reminded me a lot of Budweiser, which is not truely a bad thing, but is not what I expect from an import. While I was not completely impressed with this beer it was not all that bad either. I actually had a real good time drinking these, especially on 2 for 1 draft nights.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2004 02:16:08 | More by CCUBA

RoyalT

Ohio

2.53/5  rDev +5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance – Yellow in color and a bit hazy with some mild carbonation and a smallish head.

Smell – Light but deadly American grain with a hint of sweetness.

Taste – Typical American grain mixed with Gummi-Bear sweetness. It’s not quite as offense as some, but not good by a long shot.

Mouthfeel – Of course, this lager is exceptionally light. It lacks the strong carbonation though that is typical of the style.

Drinkability – On the cusp of being poured out, but barely hanging on.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2004 03:32:53 | More by RoyalT

oggg

California

2.73/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Well, among light beers this is probably one of my preferred ones.

Pours golden yellow. Fizzy. Not much head. Weak aroma. Subtle caramel and mild hops. It's funny because it tastes a lot like O'Douls Amber. Thin, but nowhere as thin as something like Coors light. When there's no other choice, this is an acceptable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2004 23:07:14 | More by oggg

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +52.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Probably the best light beer available in the US.. it is smooth and maltier than any other Lite beers and has a nice malt finish and balance throughout... if you want to drink a light beer without sacrificing taste than this is the one. Very well made for a macro but being an import Henieken seems to push this beer and with good reason..Low ABV makes this highly drinkable as well as the well rounded taste.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2003 10:20:46 | More by bierman2000

soju6

Missouri

2.4/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25

A: Pours alight yellow color with a modest head and no real lacing.

S: Very mild aroma hops and malt sweetness.

T: Taste is quite bland with just a bit of malt sweetness. Fair crispness and a clean finish.

F: Light body with a light crispness, again pretty bland.

O: Euro light lager for the faint of heart

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 00:46:36 | More by soju6

jjamadorphd

Florida

2.56/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.75

Note to self: Never again drink a light beer, imported or otherwise. (This will be my first and last post on a light beer...)

I haven't had a light beer in quite some time, heck I don't really need to drink light beers, but I was out with the wife, feeling good and when the waitress rattled this brew out I thought, what the heck. Boy I wish I woulda had a Bud instead...

It pours out a decent golden yellow color, small white head, no staying power but good lacing. Now the wheels fall off the wagon. The beer smelled worse that the normal hoppy or malty scents you find in your average beers. Mouthfeel was way too carbonated for my taste - which took away from an average taste to begin with.

Do yourself a favor - if you have to try a light beer, choose something else.

(If you drink then please don't drive, and if you've gotta drive then do us all a favor and please don't drink.)

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 02:44:36 | More by jjamadorphd

flooshmander

California

2.39/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

I'll tell you what; for a light beer when your on a diet this beer rocks. It's not the best light beer in any category, but overall its just the best alternative to the light beer magnates C light, B light, M light, M ultra etc....

95 calories 3.5% alcohol

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 07:24:28 | More by flooshmander