Gouden Haven - Bavaria Brouwerij N.V.

likethetaste

Virginia

2.33/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

This poured like your typical euro pale lager. Taste like your average Macro. In fact, to me this tasted worse then your typical american lager.

Has a strange aftertaste that is not pleasant. It does have a nice appearance compared to other general lagers but after that this beer is nothing special. I will not buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2009 19:46:14 | More by likethetaste

bcsbeer

Florida

2/5  rDev -29.8%

12-07-2012 00:46:08 | More by bcsbeer

Andrew644

Idaho

2.93/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- light to medium gold with an overabundant head

S- not the best smell, I get the malt smell but little of the hops.

T- to say the least its average, ok malt and hop flavor but nothing jumps out to me.

M- good carbonation but not the best.

D- easy to drink but leaves me wanting more flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 02:53:43 | More by Andrew644

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

1.1/5  rDev -61.4%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Beer review from BA Mag Oct 2007.

Seems we have come across one of those label beers. We did a little research and there is no evidence of a brewery in Maarsen, Holland. The PO Box for an address generally tells you that it is a contract-brewed beer. Very little info about the importer name, perhaps all D.B.A.s. Is this the invasion of the faux-foreign supermarket beer?

Quick to foam up, almost spilling out of the glass with a normal pour. Head retention is very good with some rings of lace left on the glass. Clarity is fine with a pale dull yellow glow. The aroma is pungent with gritty cooked corn, slightly skunky over boiled hops which are probably just a hop extract of some sort and a mildly astringent grain to boot. Very smooth and crisp with a light refreshing quality, all of this gets kicked in the teeth with a hard astringent grain and hop-bitter harshness. Cooked corn runs rampant--perhaps some cooked cabbage as well. Dry astringent aftertaste does nothing to help in the end.

Wow, we did not think beer could taste this processed and tooled to the point of not being drinkable at all. Extremely difficult to finish the bottle let alone what was left in the glass--we finally gave up on this one. Simply avoid this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2010 00:32:33 | More by BeerAdvocate

steveh

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +31.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Whoa -- not sure how old Jason's bottle was, but I didn't get any of the off characters he did.

A -- Bright, clear golden with a thick, off-white head that holds up *okay,* but could be better (this beer is darker gold than any US macro).

B -- Some nice grainy to sweet malts and lightly spicy hops coming through.

T -- Lightly sweet, bready malts up front, turns mildly grainy toward the end, with a mild hop bitterness in balance.

M -- Smooth and soft mouthfeel with a medium light body.

D -- Actually very easy to down a couple and enjoy without being "wowed" or repulsed.

Okay, it's not a well played micro Pils, or one of the better imports, but for the going price and a nice quaffer to have on hand, you could do *much* worse.

I think many of the reviewers are being prejudiced by the Euro Light Lager spector on this beer. Like to see someone sample it in a blind tasting.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2010 21:57:17 | More by steveh

Jason

Massachusetts

2.23/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

11.2oz green bottle with no freshness date.

Pale yellow straw, decent clarity with a tight white bubbly lace. Apple skin, dried grass and lemon oil in the nose. Grainy with a astringent bite, some of that comes from the hop bitterness. Cooked veggies with a thin malt body, apples and animal feed grain flavors in the dry finish.

Cheap lager flavor, a bit bland with flaws. If forced to drink ... make sure it is ice cold to dull the flavors here.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2010 00:33:18 | More by Jason

matjack85

Illinois

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A friend of mine gave me this beer so I have no idea what store carries it or what it costs. It comes in a 12oz green glass bottle with no freshness date.

The beer pours a clear pale gold color that made a 1½ finger bubbly white head that lasted about a minute and left a decent amount of spotty lacing on the glass.

There's not much to smell here - just a slight grainy/malty sweetness mixed in with a little bit of funk.

The taste is mainly grainy sweetness with a bit of hop bitterness kicking in halfway through. Not enough quality malt flavor for me and what hop flavor there was didn't really taste all that good. Nothing memorable here - just a so so tasting Euro pale lager.

The mouthfeel was the best part and totally unexpected. Instead of being weak and watery, this beer is actually smooth and creamy with only moderate carbonation. The aftertaste was a bit bitter and also a little metallic.

At just 4.8% abv there isn't much alcoholic taste and they are pretty easy to drink, but I don't think I would want more than one at a sitting if I had something else in the fridge.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2009 06:00:36 | More by matjack85

Brad007

Vermont

1.63/5  rDev -42.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Pours a nice golden color with a thin one-finger head into my pint glass.

Aroma is full of sweet malt and bitterness. Pretty average for the style.

Taste is very thin and sweet with bitterness that stands out on the tongue. Very unpleasant with a bit of apple juice feel to it.

Mouthfeel is full of that lingering sweet malt and apple juice at the back of the throat. Hard to tolerate.

A very, very average euro pale lager. I've had much better but I would totally steer clear of this if I were you.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2009 18:56:03 | More by Brad007

ocelot2500

Arizona

2.68/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear golden yellow. A good amount of head with a fair amount of lacing.

Smells of a little maltiness and a little hoppiness.

Taste is very light. Mostly watered down maltiness. A very small amount of bitterness at the end.

Mouthfeel is light and crisp. Maybe too light.

This is not undrinkable.

This reminds me of a Heineken/Becks without the skunky/funky flavor. Would much rather have this than the previous ones mentioned.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2009 00:18:36 | More by ocelot2500

Redrover

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a bottle of this one while visiting the folks. My dad is constantly trying new beers. Good for him!

Poured into a mug, the beer is light yellow, with a fairly impressive head.

None of the sulfur aromas I expected from a green bottle from the Netherlands. There is malts, crackers and a hint of floral hops.

The taste is slightly sweet with a touch of bitterness in the finish. There are no off or bad tastes. While mild, it is heads above a typical BMC and also better than the standard green bottle brew from its native land.

The mouth is crisp, yet the beer has a creamy texture. Easy enough drinker that I would not seek out but would not turn down either.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2008 14:21:52 | More by Redrover

msolar

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

There are plenty of technical reviews on this beer, so I'll simply describe it as "m'eh".

This has a similar taste to Heineken, which I can only think of as metallic. As always, I'm glad to try another beer but certainly don't have much desire to purchase this - and certainly wouldn't go out of my way to find it.

M'eh, indeed..

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2008 14:27:29 | More by msolar

trackstar1043

California

2.28/5  rDev -20%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A - Pours a perfectly unclouded golden yellow, fizzing off white head with no trace of lacing about on part with an American Marco-Brew, not impressed at all.

S - Scents of wheat, a bit of malt, and a metalic afternote. Has a bitter smell.

T - Just like the nose, bitter, with no one flavor jumping out, again a metalic aftertaste.

M - Light and fizzy, no body and no aftertaste worth mentioning.

D - Easily forgetable, not worth it.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2008 16:55:29 | More by trackstar1043

deltatauhobbit

Maine

3.13/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

An odd find at Tim's Little Big Store, they always have the random-est beers no other store has.

Pours a plain clear yellow color, very little head and what there is disappears fast, no lacing.

Smell is all malt, kinda grassy, overall the aroma is very faint, not as "skunky" as most euro lagers though.

Taste is crisp and light in the mouth, clean malt taste on the sides with a subtle sweetness.

Not my most favorite style and not the first I'd reach for, but for the style is fairly decent.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2008 02:54:38 | More by deltatauhobbit

atuite

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Definitely reminds me of a Heineken. Appearance is golden yelow with light head and pungent smell. Taste is of a pungent lager, actually not as robust as Heineken and hence easier to drink. Very easy to drink, finished 3-4 beers in one sitting on the phone with a friend. Price was fair. Good easy drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2008 22:49:01 | More by atuite

Bookseeb

Washington

3.2/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is light golden in color with very little head. Smell is crisp and clean with that Euro lager scent. Taste, nothing stands out too much, a little grainy, bitterness seems a little more pronounced than most lagers cloying in the end. has a good mouthfeel and carbonation, don't think I'll be buying it again anytime soon, but might be worth a try to some peeps.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2008 02:03:50 | More by Bookseeb

sudz42

Maine

3.83/5  rDev +34.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

a surprise in the beer aisle, had to try it. previously mentioned heineken comparison is pretty accurate.

however this is better than heineken. refreshing, less skunk, less bitter than becks but comparable in style and price.

first bottle tasted the best, outside, after being thirsty and eating a lot of salted nuts. of course, a bud would have tasted good then too.

wouldn't it be cool if there were an american macro all malt pils? high falls, seize the moment!

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2008 21:22:05 | More by sudz42

elricorico

Alberta (Canada)

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Good looking for the style, quite clear pale gold with an ability to generate and hold a decent sized, very white head. Lots of visible carbonation rushing to support it.

The smell is a bit grassy and sweet. Nothing skunky to it. Tough to place much hops in there.

Sweet malt dominates the flavour. Very faint hop finish that reminds me of a tangy orange. Not much to talk about, but it isn't bad. Certainly clean tasting.

Mouthfeel is thin but not watery and slightly fizzy. Could be worse, but certainly isn't a strong point.

A guy could easily put down several of these, but I imagine boredom setting in pretty fast. Not bad though, especially considering the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2008 03:54:51 | More by elricorico

Shadman

Alberta (Canada)

3/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Gouden haven could be the definition of an average euro pale lager. Decent looking with a decent head and lacing. Classic nose with the sweet floral/hay like hop. Not at all skunky despite the green bottle. Maybe a touch sweeter than say Heineken and a tad less bitter than Grolsh. Mouthfeel is slightly creamy and decently smooth. Drinkable, but seeing as it was in a beer traveler pack of ten, I'll probably never see another.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2008 03:12:25 | More by Shadman

Drew966

Florida

2.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Gouden Haven pours a golden yellow with a white head from a green twelve ounce bottle. The aroma is somewhat skunky, grassy hops are also noticeable. The taste is quite mild, grassy hops and a decent malt flavor that is in the background. Not bad for what it is, namely a Heineken knock off.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2007 23:30:19 | More by Drew966

VJM115

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +36.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've only seen this beer at one, non-specialty store and no bars. I decided to buy it and check it out, and I liked it quite a bit. I would highly recommend it should you come upon it. It's in a green bottle that looks like a heineken, but despite the preconceived notions you get when looking at it, it is a pleasant surprise when tasted. Has a nice smell of fresh hops, pours to a golden color with nice foam leaving lace in the glass. Tastes quite good with a full flavor and goes down smooth for a great drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2007 05:37:43 | More by VJM115

pdangler

California

3.8/5  rDev +33.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I purchased this beer because it was extremely inexpensive and I had correspondingly low expectations. Actually pleasantly surprised by this one even though I dislike Heineken and its brethren. Very smooth and I found no skunkiness at all. A very nice bargain beer with good light flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2007 04:42:19 | More by pdangler

eballard

Washington

2.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

What can I say? I got this beer because it was something I had never seen and I like to try something new when I come across it. Really there’s nothing new about this beer. I think I have had the same thing a number of different times in the same green bottles with different labels. That being said it’s not a bad beer if it’s what you’re looking for. It pours a pail golden with a bubbly white head that disappears as fast as you pour. It’s a highly carbonated beer. It smells a little on the skunky side with strong scents of grain. It has a sweet grain flavor with nothing very exciting. It’s a cool and crisp beer and it goes down with very little after taste. In the end I would say it’s a drinkable beer and right up your alley if you like this kind of and import. I don’t see my self going to any great lengths to have it again. OK beer wrong style for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2007 18:32:35 | More by eballard

jettjon

Florida

3.05/5  rDev +7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From a green bottle, no freshness date, looking a lot like another Heineken clone from the get-go. Poured into a pilsner glass, decent looking beer with medium-golden-clear color and good carbonation, thick 2-finger white cap that fades at a moderate pace down to a thin cap and solid ring. Decent amount of sticky lacing left behind. Nose is vaguely citrus-y, a bit skunky, and very Euro-lager-ish. Taste pretty much what one would expect from a decent Euro-lager-pale-ale… decent sweet malt balanced against moderate hops plus a bit of citrus tang. Mild bitter finish. Mouth is not bad a’tall, with a semi-viscous character, smooth, and with light carbonation. Drinkability is decent; I see this as a big hit with the import crowd, especially since it’s “new,” at least in the states, it seems.

Overall: Another pale Euro, love ‘em or hate em. This one’s decent but I wouldn’t go hunting it down. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2007 23:28:19 | More by jettjon

jdhilt

New Hampshire

2.42/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours a four finger white head that fades quickly leaving a good lace. Crystal clear amber color. Medium-strong carbonation and light bodied. Slight hoppy nose, traces of skunkiness. Starts with a slight sweetness, late hoppy/bitter finish. Another green bottle that doesn't cut it. $1.50 for a 12oz bottle from Capital Convenience Concord, NH.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2007 00:08:29 | More by jdhilt

Reidrover

Oregon

2.93/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Another in a seemingly endless line of export beers from this brewer. Not too bad looking, just your typical euro-lager ,pale gold with a small pure white head, loads of carbonation. For being in a green bottle the aroma is not skunked, just weak, grassy hop, and a scent of malt. In taste its quite a malt based lager, but hops make a small weak appearance in the back of the tongue and in the fter taste. Its pretty thin and a bit over carbonated for my palate. Over all another Euro-lager, it aint horrid but it is very far from good.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2006 17:41:14 | More by Reidrover