Belikin - Belize Brewing Co., Ltd.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

2.45/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Decent gold colour. Brought in by a tourist, its OK. You could no worse. Dry and light. A bit bitter. Middle of the road. Carbonation does not add to score, maybe makes it more popular. Mild skunk aroma apparently is common. This is as good as it gets, folks, as it was brewed within the last month.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2004 22:32:16 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

2.55/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Macro Smackdown XX (the latest in my unending series of 'mano a mano' contests between macro lagers) could also be called 'The Battle of Central America'. Belikin Beer is the second Belizian that I've had and Regia Extra is the first El Salvadorian. Let's see which one is the most impressive... or the least offensive.

Lucent goldenrod beneath a decent looking crown of ivory colored foam. This beer is both darker and brighter than its hazy competitor, with a head and a lace display that aren't quite as attractive. I'd have to call the appearance portion of the contest a draw.

The nose, thankfully, is inoffensive. It smells no different from legions of other macro lagers: mildly grain-like with a slight corny sweetness. No off-aromas is a good thing. No hops (to speak of) is a not so good thing.

Belikin Beer isn't good, but it isn't horrible either. It's a relatively bland mixture of sweetened grain and musky hops that has a surprising amount of bitterness. Even though I like stouts better than macro lagers, I'd take this stuff over Belikin Stout any day of the week.

Neither one of these mouthfeels is anything to crow about. This one is light and has an okay amount of fizziness that keeps me from calling it lackluster. For the purposes of rehydration, it's more than fine.

It looks like Belikin Beer has kicked Regia Extra's ass from the Atlantic to the Pacific and back again (not a great distance in that part of the world). This is actually a drinkable beer that is really no worse than Budweiser, Miller Genuine Draft or Coors Original. Thanks again T.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2007 13:33:41 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

2.15/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

American Adjunct Lager just sounds bad, and this is properly classified as such. Served cold and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 05/21/2009.

Pale golden yellow on the pour with a nice little white head that quickly faded back into nothing and left a well carbonated and very clear liquid in front on me. No smell, wet hay maybe, but really faint with a musky, moldy like touch to it. Same could be said for the flavor which was a mess to be honest. Light, off balance, and grainy. Your classic macro. No body at all, over carbonated and just bland.

Overall it was just way too light, lack of depth and character and just overall not for me. I would steer clear of this.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2009 00:19:24 | More by mikesgroove

zeff80

Missouri

3.25/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Poured out a clear, pale, straw-yellow color with a small, short-lived head of fizzy white head. It left little to no lacing.

S - It smelled of caramel, grains and floral notes.

T - It tasted of sweet caramel with grains and bread crust. There is a subtle bitterness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light bodied lager with a clean finish.

O - This is a nice lager. I'm glad I finally got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 02:38:44 | More by zeff80

emerge077

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev +11%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to E&K for bringing back this surprise central american beer! Serendipitous 01OCT11 date on the bottle. "Brewery Fresh"

Poured out of a 284mL bottle into a wine glass.
Pale straw gold color, thin layer of white foam, about a quarter inch in width. Fizzy foam lasts for a few minutes, eventually fading to a thin island of skim floating in the center.

Wet barley, honey, hint of grassiness. Pretty plain and nondescript, thankfully no off notes.

Taking a few swigs, it's surprisingly bitter and grassy. Some cracker and honey notes, very brief flavors with a drying finish. Fairly effervescent and crisp. Clean and dry, simple beery flavors, take it or leave it. In the sweltering heat of the tropics, this beer has to be a godsend.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 00:28:30 | More by emerge077

DoubleJ

California

1.95/5  rDev -33%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

We conclude the four-way Golden Invitation with this offering from Central America: Belikin Beer from Belize. Will this brew match up with the competition? Find out now:

Poured from its dark bottle, it looks like the bad stereotype of a fizzy yellow beer, but with a darker body. It's thin head retains almost nothing. The smell is faint with sticky corn sweetness and little else. Now the taste is absolutely make-or-break in terms of giving it a high enough score...(drumroll)...the bitterness from the hops is moderate, and that's as good as I can say about it. This beer is full of corn, and it brings those lovely corn off-flavors we all hate. Did they use ANY malt in this, or replace it all with corn? Not for me, sorry. But it could be a lot worse if the hop flavor were dumbed down. You can forget about anticipating this brew in the final drumroll of the Golden Invitational.

So who won the Golden Invitational? Well, let's announce the winner, and it is....

Golden Pheasant from Bohemia!

The ironically named Golden Pheasant takes the gold in this, the Golden Invitational. Four regions showed off their interpetations of those yellow/golden colored beers, and it feels like I've traveled a long way to taste them. Read my previous reviews to see what you've missed out on. Good night everyone!

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2007 04:52:22 | More by DoubleJ

mactrail

California

3.33/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Seems more flavorful than the average industrial lager.

Has the coarse big-bubbles look with a quickly-dissipating head. But creamy in the mouth for a quick gulp, which is probably its intended purpose. Light golden in the glass. Surprising herbal flavor that is quite pleasant, given the expectations. Grassy, with a touch of hops. Hint of meadow fragrance. Has a modest charm, and it's good to know they make something in Belize.

Collectors: Belikin now comes in the swell printed-on-the-bottle label (like Rolling Rock). Says "Beer" proudly on the neck.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 04:31:14 | More by mactrail

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, it's stamped with 1/10/08 on it, I have no idea if it's the best by or bottled on date. It was stored in a cooler/"beer cave" (Party Source, Bellevue, KY), so the beer should be in good shape. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a straw gold color with a half inch white head. Lacing and head retention are both average. It smells like sweet malt and grain/corn. Not much else in the aroma of this beer, and there aren't any hops at all that I can notice. The taste is the same as the aroma, sweet malt and grain/corn. On the bright side, there aren't any offensive aromas or tastes to this beer. Mouthfeel/body is light, but it's not watery either. Drinkability is good, because it's not offensive I could have quite a few of these. I'd rather drink this than Miller Lite or Coors Light, that's for sure. Yeah, it's not a great beer (or even good), but you could certainly do worse. For the style it's not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2009 01:53:37 | More by bluejacket74

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +35.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

For an AML this isn't all that bad. And if I were in Belize, I'd look for this one. That said, it's not my thang.

Pours straw pale, nice fluffy head. Looks like a macro lager for sure.

Aroma is straw and non-sweet pear. Bubbly in the nose. Yup, bubbly..

The flavor has a bit of a filminess to it. The pear is the best I can come up with. Not very sweet. Some corn and vegital. Green corn husk.

Again, if in Belize, sure. Distribution is cutting down in Denver so probably won't see this one around much any more.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 06:08:24 | More by Mebuzzard

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

2.68/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Enjoyed a couple of these after a day of Cave Tubing.
Strange little bottle that looks like a 12oz bottle but is marked 260ml which roughly equates to 9oz. If you look closely the glass in the bottle is really thick, apparently glass is cheaper than beer in Belize. Anyhow.
Pours a pale fizzy yellow with a bubbly white head that dissipates quickly. Smells of light grains, corn, dms. Not all that appealing. Taste is much the same. Fizzy and bubbly mouthfeel and carbonation level, light body. This was probably my least favorite light lager of my trip. Serve it ice cold, pound it straight out of the bottle and its thirst quenching, but lacked just about everything in taste. Stick with the Belikin Premium which is much better.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 23:12:17 | More by johnnnniee

Overlord

California

2.7/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Relatively inoffensive macro-swill.

Pours a dark golden color with a huge off-white foamy head. Smells like husked corn with a bit of offputting rancid bitterness.

Taste is surprisingly bitter, with that weird almost rancid/vegetable bitterness overlaying the familiar cheap lager/malt liquor sweetness that is reminiscent of corn mixed with bubbles and disappointment.

Quenched my thirst. Forgettable, but not abysmal.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 20:11:56 | More by Overlord

Haybeerman

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My review is based on the AAL style guidelines.

A: Bright, clear golden yellow color. Poured a 1 finger fizzy white head with some retention to a thin skim. Decanted continually. No lacing.

S: Sweet corn. Slight crackery malt character. Faint hay and grass noble hop aromas.

T: Slightly sweet, very subdued malt character. Mellow noble hops for an even bitter. Clean finish.

M: Light body. Ample carbonation. Crisp, clean and refreshing. Good balance.

D: Good for the style. Nothig wrong; its just such a nondescript style.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 20:54:21 | More by Haybeerman

HalfFull

California

3.15/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a glass from a thick green capped bottle holding an odd 284 ml. Pours golden straw with a light bubbly head, offering short retention yet some light lacing as a surface cap can be regenerated with a light spin.

Lots of corny adjuncts on the nose yet somewhat inviting given the deeper malt structure. A somewhat rich nose with a muddled hop presence. Another tropical brew that celebrates the maize.

Taste is rather sweet yet robust enough in complexity, particularly on the finish. Decent feel with a good level of carbonation throughout the glass. Holds up to a bit of warming. Average drinkability given that the beer might become somewhat cloying if sessioned from the simple sweetness offered.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2010 04:50:37 | More by HalfFull

daliandragon

North Carolina

3.05/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This was the official beer of my honeymoon for the simple reason that my wife and I chose to vacation in Belize. Belize has only one brewery and this is the official beer of the entire country. The Mayan temple (Altun Ha) is visible absolutely everywhere in the country, attached to bar and restaurant signs on every street in every town, billboards, and just about everything else. There is no competition.

Bland color, no head. Corny, nothing, smell. Grainy, slightly bitter taste. Mouthfeel is smooth and mild. I drank dozens of these in the jungle and beach heat so I'd have to say it's drinkable.

As you might expect, no competition does not a great beer make. Due to the circumstances, I'll always have a fondness for it if I should ever see it Stateside but I cannot recommend this generic macrononsense.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2008 05:05:47 | More by daliandragon

Cresant

Kentucky

2.13/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured this 12 oz. brown bottle into a nonic glass. Dated: 27/Dec/05, I assume this means "bottled on" this date. Purchased this at Liquor Barn in Louisville. Bottle does not look like the one pictured, but looks like the bottle pictured with the Belikin Premium. The one I am reviewing says "Beer" on the neck not "Premium" as on the Belikin Premium.

Body was a clear gold/yellow color. Minimal head was achieved despite a vigorous pour. A thin film of weak white bubbles remained. Almost no carbonation rose to the top.

Smell was vegetal and faint pilsner hops. A mild herbal smell remained.

Taste was rather transparent. Lager flavor falls a little flat. This one hints at some pils-like huskiness. It is not terrible and I can see it being refreshing in the climate of Belize. I would gladly drink it again--if I were drinking it in Belize.

Mouthfeel was pretty thin and mildly carbonated.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2007 21:02:12 | More by Cresant

Stimack

New York

3.53/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Found this brew while on a stop in Belize during our vacation cruise. I had this brew at a few of the stops we made during a tour. Must say that this brew was a welcome change from most of the Mexican brews we experienced during earlier stops. This beer has some character, which was shocking! Has a nice white to off-white head that was gone very fast and lead to hardly any lacing with a golden yellow color. The taste has some hop characteristics to it, which was a pleasant surprise. The taste was a little skunky but not bad compared to most of the other Mexican brews I have experienced. Only thing I can say is that I would love to be back in the Belize sun doing some snorkeling while knowing that I had a few of these waiting for me!

Note: Higher Drinkability due to the conditions!

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2004 12:49:55 | More by Stimack

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

2.1/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

basically another blah island lager. golden color, clear, thin dimishing white head. no smell to note other than a very faint malt and adjunct aroma. slighlty sweet, very little hop character. carbonation is fizzy. the only way this is palatable is if you're somewhere tropical and can't get anything else.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2010 22:53:14 | More by MrMcGibblets

NODAK

Tennessee

2.85/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Smells like any other generic American beer that's mass produced, honestly. There aren't many particular points about it.

The taste starts off tasting like a generic macro, like a Coors Light. Nothing special there. This leads to a pretty substantial graininess that is appreciated...with a somewhat medicinal, off-putting bitterness on the finish that isn't all that pleasant. I'd rather they put zero hops in a beer than that, it just didn't seem natural.

The verdict is that it's no worse than any macro you'll find in the USA.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2011 00:30:19 | More by NODAK

dstc

Florida

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

Pours a deep gold with a white head. Head falls to nothing. Very thin lace.

Sweet corn and malt aroma. Bit of a sour, musty smell.

Macro lager taste. Rather sweet malts and grains. Bit funky, not in a good way.

Rather thin in the mouth, maybe a bit more body that I would have thought.

Average tropical lager. Has it's own unique flavor but nothing special here. Works fine on a hot day though.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2010 14:29:12 | More by dstc

theopholis

California

1.83/5  rDev -37.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Appearance- Body was a very clear, ligt gold or straw color. Decent head which was very white. Some head retention. Absolutely no lacing at all.

Aroma- Mostly sour-mash with some canned corn aroma. Some faint pilsner hops in the background.

Taste- Bleah. I think I'm going to cmmit alcohol abuse. Has a strong grainy/husky taste. The bittering hops really clash to. No malt sweetness. The taste is very thin. I would barely rate this as beer.

Mouthfeel- Body is quite thin. Carbonation levle is okay, but also very thin.

Drinkability- Glad I didn't buy a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2007 06:28:45 | More by theopholis

thecarster1

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

a- bottle poured into a pint, one plus finger of bright white head, clear light lemon coloring, nice carbonation.

s- adjunct-y, grain, light hops, light lemon, some grass.

t- 'not terrible, surprisingly' - not the most encouraging words to start off a review but thats how i have it transcribed in my notes. still adjunct like but some light hops shine through, lightly bittered, some grain.

m- light but not overly watery.

d- okay, i belize i would drink this again if given the chance - yeah, pun intended.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 03:38:55 | More by thecarster1

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev +27.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Ahhh, the first of both bottles I managed to bring back with me from a cruise that took us through the beautiful country of Belize!

A- The initial pour produces a chill hazed grassy colored brew, that shows off plenty of carbonation. The head is quite impressive, starting off about two fingers thick, and quickly settling down to a half inch frothy layer over the beer. There is some lacing...actually much better than I would have initially imagined, leaving traces of patchy foam clinging to my Peroni glass. Decent looking for an AAL!

S- There is some malt sweetness mixed in with the expected grainy, grassy aromas. Also, there is some pleasant hop bitterness right on the finish that actually makes this smell like something of substance!

T- Yup, I'd have to agree with another reviewer here that there is some floral/herbal notes within the flavor. Along with this, there is some malt blended with cleaner adjuncts...rice in particular. The finish is of moderate hop bitterness, and interestingly enough, the flavor takes on a honeyed quality after the swallow as the carbonation pops on the palate. Quite nice overall!

M- Light bodied, which should be expected for this style, but also because of where it comes from. The carbonation is plentiful and palate scrubbing but not offensive. Overall, this area is exactly what I thought it should be....

O- All in all I feel that this is a very decent lager! Its better than most standard fare and I think it is a perfect hot weather beach beer, as I had the pleasure of enjoying in that exact scenario! Flavorful, thirst quenching and overall an appealing brew! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 03:10:52 | More by ChrisCage

beerprovedwright

Georgia

2.75/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

When in Belize try the local brew. Poured from the bottle to a normal, but clean drink glass. Light yellow in color about a 4 on the SRM beer color chart. A one finger head of white foam, with a wispy lace that had moderate cling. Smell was that of cereal grain and malt. Taste was that of corn, wheat, rice, and malt. There was just a slight flavor of hops. Mouthfeel was sort of mild creaminess with moderate tingle, refreshing, not dry. I would make sure I drink this beer again when I travel to Belize, but I will not spend any money or effort to try and find it elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 18:11:23 | More by beerprovedwright

Cwrw

Alberta (Canada)

3.23/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

"The Beer of Belize" looks good enough: a decently creamy aspirin-white head tops a pale light-gold liquid. The green bottle shows a Mayan temple, and lists the brewery's stout beer percentage along with the lager's on the back. The head was surprisingly consistent and healthy, small-bubbled and large. The aroma is buttery and sweet, with a good maltiness. The butter note is quite strong, but I did not mind it, because it leads to some butterscotch and candied aromas. Other than some balancing hops, there is little else of note in the smell. Light malt with a little hop dryness at the end describes the flavour profile. Malt predominates in the mouth, and again I get some buttery flavours. The aftertaste is decent enough: fresh graininess, a lack of any adjunct taste, and a hint of dusty hops. Mouthfeel is a little watery, but still, the body is medium, and the carbonation is rather low, increasing Belikin's drinkability. Not exceptionally rewarding, but this is worth trying at least once.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2005 04:03:32 | More by Cwrw

CWiggins

North Carolina

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

This one, as far as I know, isn't yet available in the Durham/Raleigh, but it may be soon. I was given this sample bottle by a local distributor's rep.

It pours a light golden with a short-lived head of lean white bubbles. They don't last long, but a few cling to the edge of the glass for the duration, which is a tad impressive for the style. There's not much of an aroma here; it's just a bit of grain with a subtle hint of fruitiness and corn. Corn certainly is noticeable in the flavor, with nearly every other character taking a distant back seat. A bit of sweetness occurs on the front. Oddly, there is a bit of body here, and the finish is strangely satisfying, especially as the warming alcohol lingers. This isn't something I expected. Average, all around.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2010 23:08:14 | More by CWiggins