Grolsch Premium Lager - Grolsch Bierbrouwerij N.V.

DrewSnyc667

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 Oz Bottle, label on neck only poured into a Pilsener glass

A - Pale golden color, little activity, big soapy head that sticks around the glass

S - Very floral, fruity notes of pear and apple

T - A bit heavy and bitter, skuny euro lager

M - Pretty easy going down, but a bit heavy and sticky on the palate

O - Not bad, a bit sweet for Euro

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 21:30:38 | More by DrewSnyc667

ThePortlander

New York

3.03/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bought this at the corner store so I had some extra bottles for a homebrew in case I was a couple short. I've used these bottles before, thanks to my neighbor, but I hadn't had one until last week.

Pretty typical Euro-lager fare: mildly grainy, a bit floral, slightly skunky. The mouthfeel is smooth, though. Quaffable, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 02:36:09 | More by ThePortlander

jimmah120

Minnesota

2.75/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

15.2oz cork bottle best by oct 10 2012

Pale yellow with a small filmy head. Very average. Nose is odd. I'm picking up the grain and touch of hops I expected but I'm also getting an extremely heavy sugar cookie dough smell. It wipes away the grain and hop until it's all you can smell. It also translates to the taste, but thankfully it's not as overbearing. It's warm malt, grain, a touch of dank hops, and that sugar cookie dough aftertaste. Not bad, not especially good, just odd. Mouthfeel is nice and creamy.

Overall this wasn't bad, better than others in the style even, but not something I especially enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 08:53:29 | More by jimmah120

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Almost the stereotypicsl Euro-lager...

Pale golden hue with limted head, unremarkable mouthfeel. A supremely grainy aroma, both bready and sweetly pleasant. The taste is equally as uni-dimensional, pure golden grain sweetness with a hint of bittering hops in the afterfinish.

An "olde standard" that speaks to completely different taste than what I'm currently seeking.

Serving type: can

03-18-2012 07:51:31 | More by hopsolutely

BlurryVisi0n

New York

2.98/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured unto pint glass.

Appearance: gold, with a white 1/2" head off the body.

Smell: light hops nothing to say "hey this is awesome".

Taste: light hops, the beers feels like it cleans your palates.

Mouth: medium to heavy, just that smooth.

Overall: pretty good beer, not the best lager I have had but definitely the one you don't say no to. Hope you all enjoyed, Salud!

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 04:22:46 | More by BlurryVisi0n

keitho

New Zealand (Aotearoa)

2.6/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance- Pale yellow, lots of carbonation, bubbly white head which dissipates quickly, looks refreshing.

Smell- Not much of an aroma,light hop smell.

Taste- Light and easy to drink, slight bitter aftertaste. Short.

Mouthfeel- Feels a bit thin in the mouth.

Overall- Could quite easily sink a few of these on a hot day. A refreshing lager but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 00:51:40 | More by keitho

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz Bottle

Appearance - Clear gold colour with an average size frothy white coloured head. There is an above average amount of carbonation showing and there is a fair amount of lacing. The head lasted for ony a short while.

Smell - Grains, corn, hops, citrus

Taste & Mouth - The beer has a below average amount of carbonation and I can taste grains, corn, and some fresh cut grass. There is also a hint of citrus. It ends with a grainy slightly bitter aftertaste.

Overall - Beside the hint of citrus, this is just another drinkable euro-beer. Nothing really exciting about it other than the bottle it comes in.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 00:11:53 | More by spinrsx

bobhits

Kentucky

2.35/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

This was a gem of a beer when I was 19 and trying to get into beer. It was full flavored, creamy, and just wonderful. Fast forward about a thousand beers and well...

Pours with a hint more color than a bud light, a hint of depth to the color with decent head and a touch of lacing.

The sour/skunked aroma is unmistakable but to this beers credit that seems to be ok. Faint grains and cereals make up the malt backing.

I want to rip this beer for the failings but it is full of flavor. It has some interesting pear and perhaps lemon puckering flavors. Just enough sweetness to balance things. It isn't awful.

Well carbonated and rather drinkable. As long as you don't hold this to high standards you won't be disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 02:25:00 | More by bobhits

rangerred

Tennessee

3.03/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

swing top bottle poured into an imperial pint.

Pours a clear gold with a healthy white head that slowly fades into a thin film. Decent lacing and plenty of bubbles coming from the bottom of the glass.

Not a hint of skunkiness in the aroma which surprised me. Instead there is a pleasant mixture of bready malts and honey along with some earthy hop aroma. Nice.

The taste starts off with the same bready taste found in the smell but unfortunately, it fades away to nothing rather quickly. There is a slight hop bitterness but not on the level of a pilsener.

Overall I was somewhat surprised by this beer. I would've rated it higher if not for the flavor fading so quickly. A great thirst quencher, though.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 22:38:42 | More by rangerred

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

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

2+ fingers of nice bright white head. Very nice retention on this. The beer is a bright brass color and perfectly clear. No carbonation is visible. Quite a bit of sticky lacing clings everywhere.

Very bright and fresh aroma. Grassy, a touch of spice.

This was "the best" beer on a mediocre list at a hotel so I wasn't really expecting much. But I am surprised and this is pretty damn good. Nice pale malt flavor up front, then lots of spicy and grassy notes. A nice crisp finish with a not so subtle bitterness. Clean flavor. Notice the bottle says "April 2212" which may be a best by date.

Bright, crisp, clean and fairly light bodied. Bitterness brings it some more heft.

I've definitely had Grolsch several times over the years, but I am pleasantly surprised. I won't be saddened when I see it on a beer list going forward.

Bottle seems real fresh.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 02:49:06 | More by Reagan1984

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

2.75/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A 275ml green glass bottle with a BB of May 2012.

Poured into a Sam Smith's pint glass. A clear straw colour with fine carbonation. Forms a small head of white foam that dissipates quickly, leaving a thin surface layer. Aroma of faint light malt with a stale note of stewed hops/veg.

Tastes of very light malt with a mild finish. Slightly sweet, with a stewed hop flavour and an unpleasant stale note. The faintest whisper of noble hop aroma in the background. Mouthfeel is light, crisp and tingly. Dries the palate a little, with a stale stewed hop aftertaste.

A pretty average mass-produced lager with some mild off-flavours making it imperfect. Dull. I'm sure the Netherlands has better beers if you take the time to seek them out.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 22:06:59 | More by jazzyjeff13

tobelerone

New Jersey

2.93/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Review from notes.

Ah, the old swing-top Grolsch. Once a favorite of mine, long long ago. A skunky-tasting Pils I hadn’t had in years till the other night.

A pale yellow beer that’s very clear. Nice fluffy white head with decent lacing left behind. Aroma is definitely skunky, typical bitter/grassy pils smell underneath.

Tastes skunky too, but not awful. Decent bitterness from those grassy hops; grainy malt, kinda watery. Good carbonation and fairly crisp finish make this easy to drink, if you like that sort of thing. Not much depth of flavor.

Not the worst beer you’ll come across but I won’t mind if I don’t ever have another one.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 04:45:39 | More by tobelerone

McStagger

California

3.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: pale straw. Excellent clarity. Lively carbonation. White head, dissipates quickly.

S: green bottle smell. We all know it. Husked grain, vegetal hops. Skunked.

T: the same green bottle mediocrity. Slight sweet beginning from the malt, clean crisp finish.

M: Not quite as "sharp" on the tongue as some mass Euro lagers can be.

O: pretty damn average. All the green bottles seem pretty interchangeable. Yeah, there are nuances of flavor, but if you've had more than four or five varieties, you have a pretty good grasp of what the brew is and is not. Better than BMC? Yes. Craft? Not even by the tiniest margin.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 08:14:23 | More by McStagger

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

3.33/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

15.2 Oz swingtop poured into 18 oz glass

A- Not much of a looker, looks unfortunately like urine and is crystal clear. white head that dissipates somewhat quickly.
S- Smells like pilsner and skunk, not the worst thing in the world but still pretty funky.
T- Actually taste like it smells but a lot better thanks to some hidden caramel malts.
M- Drinks like a light beer only taste better. Pretty decent carbonation and a silky smooth feel. This beer is refreshing and easy to drink.
O- The main reason I buy these is because I brew my own beer and I like swingtops. I will buy again, something about the cool bottles and the refreshingly easiness to drink. Worth trying but for the price theyre just not that great.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 10:59:26 | More by TwelveOunces

CaptJackHarkness

New York

3.73/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First, I hate to admit, I had difficulty with the bottle top! But, once it's figured out, it is reusable!
Pours a yellow color and a thin foamy head that doesn't last. Laceless. Smells floral/fruity aromas.Not bad.Taste is fairly neutral, crisp , but neither sweet nor bitter. I might try it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 00:29:56 | More by CaptJackHarkness

xuptygm

Nebraska

3.1/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

My cousin gave me a bottle of this as a gift. Pours a clear golden yellow. Not to appealing to the eye, nor does it have a distinct smell. Tastes somewhat of honey and lavender. A bit better than your typical lager. This is stupid but they get points in my book for the swing top. Not only can I reuse the bottles for homebrew, but I don't have to buy bottle caps either. Worth a try, but I won't be searching for it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 20:06:56 | More by xuptygm

zdk9

Texas

3.48/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Out of the swingtop with a yellow color and a plethora of foam on top. The head dissipates unevenly giving it a filmy look that isn't super appealing.

S- Honey, lavender and other floral aromas, earthy hops. Not bad at all.

T- A fairly nondescript flavor but one that's well balanced. Hops taste of grapefruit peel, and mustard greens.

M- High carbonation, good balance.

O- Not a bad beer, just not much in the way of flavor. But no sulfer or corn flavors, and a decent amount of hops. Certainly an easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 02:49:27 | More by zdk9

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

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

Poured a one finger head into a wine glass - clear golden yellow colour with little retention or lacing. Smell of biscuit and some light fruit - some grain.Taste follows the nose with a little peppery bitterness. Light body with some carbonation - slight bitterness. A ho hum lager.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 02:52:14 | More by Stocean1

KajII

North Carolina

2.9/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

[Best served in a Lager glass]

It poured a clear sparkling yellow with a light golden hue and had an average sized (1-2 finger) white frothy head that diminished almost completely but did have some retention throughout thus producing some fair lacing.

The aroma was pretty basic for a lager. The nose was crisp with a mild grain malt, a moderate grassy hop and a somewhat barnyard scented yeast with a light odor of wet cardboard.

It tasted very mildly sweet and acidic at first, and then became slightly bitter with a mild crisp hoppy flavor at the end that stayed with you just long enough to put a nice finish on this brew.

Mouthfeel was nice and light in body and a bit watery in texture with a nice light creaminess. The carbonation was quite lively, almost fizzy.

Overall as I stated before, it is a nice crisp hoppy lager. One I have drank in the past and will again in the future. Very Drinkable!!

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 17:50:52 | More by KajII

ElCommodoro

Texas

2.45/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Appearance is a boring gold-yellow with no head, tiny tiny bit of white lacing.
The smell typical euro lager, maybe a bit of a fruity smell.
It tastes very very typical of pale lager. Absolute middle of the road, so they hit the nail on the head, and I'll give them that. There is absolutely nothing offensive about this beer. And that is good! That means they didn't put too many hops, and I'm not into hops, so I commend them. It's very well balanced, but very watery. Great with my spicy chickpeas, I must say. So, I'm going to give it an above average for not screwing anything up, but I can't give them anything higher for something this boring.

Oh, and I noticed that this one was brewed in the U.K., as many Euro lagers are here in Britain. European breweries will often set up a separate brewery in the UK for their sales there or license them to another brewery. However, this is often done to produce a second lower-alcohol version of the beer which apparently is more popular with the English. In the case of this Grolsch, the alcohol content is the same, so it may be an exact replica of the beer actually brewed in the Netherlands.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 11:15:11 | More by ElCommodoro

jkrich

Indiana

3.35/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. green bottle with freshness date stamped on label. Poured a clear, golden hue with a nice foamy sustained head.
I was very surprised that there was not a hint of skunk from bottle or after the pour. Outside of that, the aroma was very, faintly sweet and not much else; perhaps a little noble hop aroma.
The lager has a surprisingly pleasant bitterness, much like a pilsner, followed by some bready, husk-like flavors. A faint metallic flavor lingers in the mouth.
Rather thin-bodied with medium carbonation, the mouthfeel is slick and slightly bitter with very little lingering malt sweetness one normally associates with a pale lager.
This is a clean, crisp lager that was very fresh, considering it came from overseas in a green bottle and is not pasteurized.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 23:26:57 | More by jkrich

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a bright yellow, almost blonde color with a thick white foam head that lasts for a little bit then dissipates to a film. Provies a small amount of lacing.

S: Light smell of grass, wheat and dry hay. There is also a small hint of 'skunk' as well.

T: Starts off with a light dry hay taste. The light grassy hops are most potent in the middle and on the back end. In the middle there is also a slight caramel malt undertone. There is also light skunky taste on the back end.

M: A nice light bodied beer. Leaves a slightly crisp and refreshing taste on the palate.

O: This is a standard Pale Lager. It is quite refreshing and slightly crisp. This is easy to drink at a picnic or bbq.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 18:48:17 | More by IronCitySteve

JMad

Texas

3.4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I drank this from a glass mug...

The beer is a clear pale yellow color with a consistent white head. It smells of grass, grain and skunk with a hint of lemon. The taste is slightly bitter with the same flavors as the aroma. It is light with strong carbonation and a dry finish. This is a typical pale euro light lager but it is not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 02:35:00 | More by JMad

kflorence

California

3.38/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Imported from my ratebeer.com profile - DEC 24, 2007

One of the best mass-produced lagers, but like others have said it is overpriced. Swing top bottle is a plus (can re-use it for homebrews). Smells hoppy and tastes hoppy with a slightly bitter aftertaste, subtle but very refreshing. Nothing special, but a step up from all the other lagers in the beer isle at the store.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 05:49:36 | More by kflorence

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

1.98/5  rDev -36.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Swing top bottle for the win.

Color is a clear pale straw yellow. Fizzy white head with a bit of retention.

Aroma: Grains with some pale malts and light. A little bit skunky. Not much here.

Taste: More skunky flavors. Grainy and grassy with a light hoppy flavor. Again, not much here.

Mouthfeel: Crisp. Light bodied with a higher amount of carbonation. Ends dry and bland.

Overall, not something very special or tasty. Coolest thing about this beer is the bottle. I guess that's not saying very much.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 19:49:04 | More by mothman