Simpler Times Lager - Minhas Craft Brewery

pressman57

California

3.35/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

$2.99 at Trader Joe's. How could I go wrong?

Poured a little darker than Budwiser with a similar head-retention.

Smelled pretty good, actually. Malty with a hint of citrusy hops.

Tasted pretty much like it smelled with a slightly sweet, spicy aftertaste.

Well worth the money. Much better than the more expensive, over-advertised alternatives.

Serving type: can

06-01-2011 00:41:25 | More by pressman57

DJButters

California

2.9/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Trader Joes for $2.99 a six pack. Wow whata country. Thats like 50 cents a brew!

A- Deep golden color that I was surprised to see, good initial head retention when poured from the can. Not like those other "main stream" lagers. This one seems darker and thicker.

S- Sweet grain.

T- Grainy, a bit overly sweet for the style. Is that a heavy malt I taste?

M- A heavy lager. You can taste that 6.2% at first, but after 2 or 3 it goes down much smoother.

O- Nothing wrong with drinking this brew. Beware the wrath of drinking too much simpler times however as it can give you a nasty headache. However if on a budget and doing something outdoors, not much is better.

Serving type: can

05-25-2011 17:00:55 | More by DJButters

mactrail

California

3.58/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Utterly drinkable and forgettable light beer.

Looks nicer than a lot of craft beers in the glass-- or was I supposed to rate the appearance in the can? Lacing and everything. Quite malty, almost sweet. If you were in the late lamented Berghoff's in Chicago snarfing liver dumplings and roast pork, you'd say it was divine. I don't detect any actual hops, so for that you have to get the Pilsner version. But for thirst quenching it's fine, and give it a dose of IPA and you're in business.

Now if Huber can make this perfectly decent light lager to sell at TJs for $3.99 a six-- tell me how much the industro-brew factories are making on Keystone Light or Miller High Life.

Serving type: can

05-13-2011 04:29:57 | More by mactrail

1Adam12

Indiana

3.15/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

smell has a sweetness to it. carbonation is nice when it hits the tongue. almost an apple taste to it...with bubbles. it is rather satisfying on a hot day. 6.2 abv sneaks up on you after 3 of them. this beer is not a bad bargain at 3.99 a sixer, well worth it. much better than the 5.99-6.99 alternatives.

Serving type: can

05-08-2011 00:57:05 | More by 1Adam12

adrock

North Carolina

3.35/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Rating this style can be tricky for hop heads or other beer lovers.

A- Bright, deep golden color that I was surprised to see, good initial head retention when poured from the can.

S- Mostly grain.

T- Grainy, a bit overly sweet for the style.

M- Very full.

O- Enjoyable brew that surprisingly comes in at 6.2%. And the price can't be beat!

Serving type: can

05-02-2011 01:40:15 | More by adrock

richkrull

Wisconsin

3.38/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Snagged this one from my buddy's fridge. Drank it straight from the can. Smell was faint, a little grainy. Taste was pretty decent. Better than I was expecting. Very smooth drinking light bodied beer. Surprised it was 6.2%. This isn't the best beer ever, but it's definitely worth the money.

Serving type: can

03-28-2011 19:47:31 | More by richkrull

Redrover

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz can poured into a SA perfect pint glass. The beer is a clear light gold with a small but lingering white head.
The beer smells of grains and a slight hint of bubble gum.

The taste is grainy and slightly sweet. A bit of floral hops and a hint of apple. Simple with no flaws.

The mouth is crisp with good carbonation. Easy enough to put down a couple and the price is right. I think you could match this beer with a cheese pizza or maybe a ham & cheddar on rye.

Serving type: can

03-28-2011 00:10:14 | More by Redrover

madpentzer

California

2.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Got a sixer of this for $2.99 at the local Trader Joe's.

A-Light-Golden yellow similar to any mass produced lager.

S-Smells grainy with a little bit of cereal.

T-Decent malt character with a little bit of hop bite.

M-Nice carbonation and goes down smoothly.

D-Very easy to drink and goes down dangerously easy for a beer of 6.2%. One of the best bargain beers I've ever had if not the best bargain beer. Why pay $6.99 for a six-pack of Bud Light when you can get this for $2.99, and it tastes better and has a stronger ABV.

Serving type: can

03-03-2011 05:40:12 | More by madpentzer

Lukafer

Indiana

1.75/5  rDev -40.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Review from notes

awesome can, awesome name, terrible beer. 

Pours a clear gold with no head.  Smells  grainy, bad.  Taste is bad, real bad.  Some weird bitter flavor in there that I can't pinpoint, just nasty and drying. Mouthfeel sucks, drinkability sucks, avoid it.

Serving type: can

02-04-2011 18:37:39 | More by Lukafer

whatthehull

California

3.15/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

Poured into a New Belgium snifter

A - Golden with an amber hue, fizzy head, no lace

S - Yeast, apple, honey, grass and pear

T - Lots of fruit, floral, malt and yeast

M - Very light with a super slight stickiness at the end

D - Super easy to drink and for $2.99 a six pack even better

Final thought - I love this beer for the price. Not my favorite but the price gets me everytime

Serving type: can

01-26-2011 08:32:32 | More by whatthehull

mmmbeer

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. can from Trader Joe's. Pours bright gold, lightly carbonated, with a few floaties and an inch of frothy white head that dies fast, but retains a collar and leaves a few wisps of lace. Metallic and minerally in the nose, along with corn, cooked grain, hops?, and a bit of sulfury yeast. Fairly mild on the palate, except for some sweet corn, maybe some hops and a light apple note on top of a moderately carbonated, fairly full body that has a drying finish. Not that bad of a brew, but it tastes very industrial, and reminds me more of a malt liquor than a standard American lager.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 20:08:53 | More by mmmbeer

jmvecchio1

Missouri

2.83/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I have to admit, we picked up a six pack of this from Trader Joe's because it was $4.00. We figured that we could use it as a general house beer if it was of Bud Light standards. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this beer. The beer pours very clear golden straw in color with a thick rocky white head on top and light carbonation. Aroma is crisp and light with a malty sweet behind it. It has a sharp amount of hops upfront with a smooth sweet maltiness in the drink. There's a hint of alcohol on the finish. It drinks very dry. Great for watching sports with the guys.

Serving type: can

01-23-2011 00:06:30 | More by jmvecchio1

AWolfAtTheDoor

California

3.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This shit is like $2.60 a 6-pack at trader joes. It was left over in my fridge after the holidays, so thought I'd review it.

Yellow and fizzy in color. Vigorous pour yields an average head. Lacing is sub par.

Very little on the nose. Metallic lager twang that american adjuncts are known for.

Very sweet. Maltiness is there, but over powered by the sweetness. Kind of odd.

It's probably the most syrupy yellow lager I've ever had.

Relatively drinkable. There is something about it that just doesn't seem right. Way too much alcohol for an adjunct lager.

Serving type: can

01-17-2011 02:47:19 | More by AWolfAtTheDoor

afinepilsner

Iowa

2.35/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

12oz can
6.2% abv

Simpler Times Lager was golden in color with good clarity. It had an off-white head that didn't last. The smell was light and clean with a little grain, and a touch of hops and alcohol coming through. The taste was sweet malt upfront with alcohol noticeable towards the semi-dry finish. It was medium-light in body with medium-light carbonation. Drinkability was below average. It's just a cheap crappy beer.

Serving type: can

01-10-2011 01:26:39 | More by afinepilsner

KidsDoc

California

3.5/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can poured into pint glass

A: golden, translucent. 1/2 finger bright white head settles to small ring around the cap

S: subtle sweetness, apples

T: suprsingly good. Sweet up front with light malts and some honey; non-biting hop bitterness is crisp through the middle; finishes with a clean hop bitter presence mixed with tart/sweet apple flavor; ABV of 6% unnoticed which is great

M: light and crisp; very clean overall but got a little watery towards the end

D: very easy drinking adjunct lager. I have no problem with canned beered so this had no bearing. I was partially biased by the price tag, thinking now way a beer this cheap could be any good. I was wrong. Next time at trader joe's I will pick this up again and see if this can't be a great gateway beer for some of my buddies.

Serving type: can

01-08-2011 00:29:34 | More by KidsDoc

bogeypro64

North Carolina

3.23/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Unimpressive appearance, looks like any American lager.

Smells better than BMC lager offferings- a little bit of hop aroma and maltiness.

Tastes much better than anything else in this price range (3.99/6 pack) Malty sweetness with a crisp hop finish and a little dryness.

Mouthfeel is ok nothing impressive but not offensive.

Could easily drink many of these at a party or as a backyard brew. Would not sit down to "enjoy" this as I would a great craft brew but this hands down beats any adjunct out there.

Serving type: can

01-03-2011 06:55:41 | More by bogeypro64

mikesgroove

South Carolina

1.93/5  rDev -33.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

had a couple of these tj six packs that were brought over to the house last night and decided to drink a couple to cleanse the palate.

a bit darker of a golden hay color then the one i had before, not that i would really say it looked good, but at least there was a touch of color to it as it broke the surface. tight little head of white wraps around the sides. aroma is light and muted hops with a touch of light grain and a hint of some cereal and rice notes. however the flavor was non existent, i swear it was like drinking water with a light flavor of stale grain and rice it was just nothing there. light feel, lighter then water to honest and then a hint of grit in the finish.

overall no thank you. this one was just wrong plain and simple.

Serving type: can

12-27-2010 02:20:18 | More by mikesgroove

Keithpb

California

3.3/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had one lying around in my fridge and thought I'd give it a go.. judgements aside on the name and logo.

Cracked it open and poured it gently into a tulip glass. Immediately noticed how brilliant the head looked. About two fingers in a cream white with a crisp golden color.

Smell was nothing too noteworthy. Bland with a cornish smell.

Taste was far more than I had expected. A touch bitter with a slight citric and light hoppy feel.

Crisp and light.

Drinkability was average for a beer of this caliber. Could probably take down a few before getting bored of the flavor.

Serving type: can

11-26-2010 04:56:30 | More by Keithpb

lou50rp

Maine

3.5/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Typical lager color with moderate white head that dissipates quickly.
Not much aroma, but within the style.
Good taste for a adjunct lager. Clear and crisp.
Mouth feel is moderate with plenty of carbomation.
Even with its 6.2 APV a very drinkable beer. Would be a good session, especially at "Trader Joe's" price of $3.99 a six pack.

Serving type: can

11-04-2010 23:26:19 | More by lou50rp

jamex

California

1.05/5  rDev -64%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Some "friend" of mine told me that this stuff was pretty decent for the (very) low price. So I picked some up for I believe $1.99/six-pack. Poured into a standard pint glass.

A) Putrid yellow.
S) An overpowering yet sickly sweet upchuck of malt. Very cheap tasting, and not in a good college-memory way but rather the opposite.
T) Picture yourself hunched over a rusty, metal trashcan. You've already vomited up most of the swill, but there's those really deep heaves that still bring up all that bile and pre-dung taste. Grab a sample of that concoction and you've got Simpler Times.
M) So disgustingly buttery and malty that you nearly pray for Bill and Ted to appear in their phone-booth, take you back about 5 minutes, and beat you senseless as to avoid consuming this devil liquid.
D) Let's put it this way; after attempting to drink this beer on two separate occasions, I let my kids make (supervised) "potions" from this crap. Besides, it seems there would be no way to make this beer any worse.

By the far the worst beer I ever consumed, taking the reign away from Schlitz.

More amazing is that some of these reviewers rated this beer the same or higher than Wipeout IPA and A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale. WTF.

Serving type: can

10-20-2010 00:12:10 | More by jamex

Mooch273

California

3.93/5  rDev +34.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Golden yellow body that poured watery creating a temporary foam of large carbonation bubbles that dissipated quickly.

A: Slightly metallic with a blend of light hop aroma.

T: Crisp and clean with a sweet malty flavor and slightest bitterness on the tail end.

M: Slightly thicker than expected given the lightness of color and clarity.

D: At 6.2% ABV, this is a winner in my book. Quite flavorful and a step up from the commercialized majors who dominate the market.

Serving type: can

10-17-2010 21:59:46 | More by Mooch273

drabmuh

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev +33.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Can time. Poured into a tulip to give it the illusion of quality. Beer is yellow and forms a nice head with lacing, moderately carbonated and completely clear. Looks nice.

Aroma is weak but sweet.

Beer is light in body and quite good. Its sweet and has an appropriate level of carbonation in the mouth. Finishes cleanly. Its a really good beer, seriously. If I had to have an American Adjunct lager, this would probably be it.

Serving type: can

10-15-2010 01:50:34 | More by drabmuh

barleyman

Georgia

2.63/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from the 12 oz aluminum can, into my straight sided glass tumbler, a one inch head very quickly disappears. A little lace follows the level down the glass. A very dark yellow color is apparent. The smell is very faint, of corn and very little malt, no hop aroma is present. Very little flavor is present, straw, and corn. Mouthfeel is medium, as is drinkability. Available at Trader Joe's, this is cheap beer at it's finest.

Just a thought,

barleyman

Serving type: can

09-29-2010 01:16:14 | More by barleyman

felipe2toes

California

3.7/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a pale golden yellow with a white head with pretty good head retention.

Not much to the smell, maybe aluminum and some grain and yeast. But pretty decent aromas for a cheap can of beer.

Tastes of grass and wheat. Fairly crisp in the beginning, but there is some hop bitterness on the finish. Not bad. I would definitely pick up another sixer of this at Trader Joe's for the $2.99 price tag.

Crisp and clean mouthfeel. Very refreshing actually and very easy drinking.

Considering the price, this is a beer I'd revisit again for a lazy afternoon of watching tv.

Serving type: can

09-29-2010 00:31:44 | More by felipe2toes

ManuelHerrera

California

3.28/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

All right, so first of all this beer is $2.99 at Trader Joes, so the cheap side of me has a soft spot for Simpler Times. But moreover, it's not a terrible beer at all. Some people reach for a Silver Bullet or a Bud Lite in the search for a cheap beer, but really they aren't much of a bargain unless you're getting a 30 pack (which you very well may be!).

But comparing 6-pack prices, Simpler Times is by far the best value out there. I'm not a huge lager fan, but this beer isn't too far behind the average import. The beer pours pale with a decent head retention. The aroma carries mostly metallic aromas from its aluminum casing, with slight hints of corn.

The flavor is heavily malted which gives it an extremely sweet, creamed corn flavor. There isn't much to this beer, but the important fact is that there is at least a modicum of flavor - you're not drinking a soda water with flecks of barley.

Overall this beer gets the job done, and it's perfect for Monday Night Football and some wings. It's really a bargain, so you might as well keep some on hand like I do.

Serving type: can

09-14-2010 04:31:48 | More by ManuelHerrera