Hevelius Kaper - Elbrewery Co. Ltd. Sp. z o.o.

MasterSki

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I'm on a bit of an unusual style kick here - picked this up at the local Binnys, seeing as it's one of the "best" examples of the Euro Strong Lager. I particularly like that the label tells me it is best before L8298616P14 (!?!). Served in a pilsener glass.

A - Pours with tons of foam that eventually settles into a three-fingered head with so-so retention and some spotty lacing. The brew is a crystal clear golden color with a nice glow to it, and tons of bubbles on the bottom of the glass that occasionally race to the top. The darker color and decent retention keep it from looking like malt liquor.

S - A decent amount of spicy noble hops, biscuit and caramel malt, some pepper and cloves, a touch of lemon and banana. Thankfully no metal, adjunct, or off-flavors.

T - Taste is...less good. Mild caramel malt syrup sweetness, and not much else going on - maybe a bit of peppery spice and citrus in the finish. Aftertaste maintains that touch of spice, but fades pretty quick. Not bad, but not good - hence "average".

M - Moderate carbonation, very soft and creamy, medium body - nothing spectacular, but pretty good nonetheless.

D - Even with the 8.7% I was OK with drinking the 500ml bottle. The taste wasn't great, but it wasn't bad enough to prohibit me from finishing. Alcohol sneaks up on you and hits about half way through the serving - maybe this is good for Polish sessions, but not for mine. However if you're looking for a cheap way to get trashed, this stuff is a steal at $1.49!

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2009 18:17:56 | More by MasterSki

pmcadamis

Illinois

2.38/5  rDev -29%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A - This bronze brew pours from a nice looking bottle with a classic schooner sailing the violent seas. This one has a small persistent head, and is only slightly hazy. Lacing is sparse.

S - Booze and cornflakes. This smells a lot like an American malt liquor. Yeah, syrupy sweet corn mash with a splash of brandy and a dollop of maple syrup.

T - Better than the grody nose, the flavor is still pretty much sweet corn flakes, maple syrup, molasses, and booze. Tastes like a hirstute American macro lager hyped up on steroids and cocaine. With BO.

M - Cloyingly sweet and as heavy as syrup. Ugh.

D - If this were at the same price point as an American malt liquor down at the gas station, then I'd buy it now and again. However, this was not what I consider cheap beer, and it tastes like the lowest of the low. A homeless tramp with plenty of time to kill might enjoy a few of these, but I'll pass.

Note: Be careful.... I drank this one pretty fast just to get it over with (I'm morally opposed to pouring beer down the drain in a recession), and now I'm a little bit buzzed.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2009 04:47:28 | More by pmcadamis

brfbeerdrinker

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +49.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is my personal favorite. as my friend says, "them polish sure do know how to drink"

I got this at a small bar here in black river falls, WI The place is called rosarios(kind of a whole in the wall) great atmosphere tho lol sorry had to add that

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2009 03:34:40 | More by brfbeerdrinker

yesyouam

New York

3.3/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Hevelius Kaper is a very clear, sparkling amber/copper lager with a soft, dense, off-white head with white splotches. It has great retention and lacing. The aroma is of fruit and vegetables: banana, melon, squash, black pepper, leaves and hay. It's a little funky. It has a thick, syrupy body and a rather gritty finish. It's a little sweet and very boozy. It's funky and resiny with something kind of like cornbread and sorghum. This is almost in Malt Liquor territory! The aftertaste is of cork and resin. This beer is for the hard hearted. The 500 ml bottle was well worth the 97 cents I paid.
(rated Sep 21, 2008)

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2008 15:42:48 | More by yesyouam

tmoneyba

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle from World of Beer.

Poured a clear copper color with an average frothy white head that mostly diminished with fair lacing. Moderate grainy hop aroma. Medium body with soft carbonation. Medium to heavy sweet flavor with a medium sweet finish of moderate duration.

This is an average beer that is consistent for style.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 08:13:51 | More by tmoneyba

Offa

California

3.98/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

This is an enjoyable, smooth but tasty strong Polish lager.

Amber, it has a medium-large off-white head that shrinks slowly to a thin, wispy top and leaves a hint of lace.

The aroma is fresh, toasty sweet bread, hint of lemon, pine, and rather nice.

It has a bit of a Czech lager taste to it and the alcohol is essentially unnoticeable. The taste is clearly alcholic, but very smoothly so, with nothing rough opr unpleasant. It has a light caramel quality, bread, and nice, warm spiciness, it's a bit rasiniy, sweet and spicy with a light bitterness coming to the fore in the finish. It does not taste quite as strong as it is.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2008 22:19:52 | More by Offa

corby112

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Serving type: bottle.

Pours a cloudy amber/orange color with a thin white head with little to no lacing. Spicy notes accompanying crisp light fruit aroma. Flavor is very similar to aroma being spicy with hints of apple and pear as well as a slight alcohol presence.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2008 17:44:41 | More by corby112

boilers

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a light copper color with a small slightly off-white head. Aroma has malt, caramel, and toffee. Mouthfeel is light with a moderate carbonation and obvious alcohol presence. Flavor is malt forward with a slight bitterness. Reminiscent of an Oktoberfest with lighter body and more alcohol. All aspects are well balanced and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2008 00:27:02 | More by boilers

BigJTrucker

Oregon

2.8/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear copper color with a fast fading off white head. Aroma has a malty sweetness, maybe some pear notes. Taste has a boozy quality to it, some faint bitterness. Mouthfeel is a bit sticky, and leaves a faint aftertaste. Could use some more balance or depth in flavor to mask the relatively high abv. I'll finish the bottle, but would pass if offered this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2008 03:46:30 | More by BigJTrucker

searsclone

Arizona

3.1/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

reviewed in July 2008, poured from a bottle with a best before stamp of 29.08.08, into a snifter.

it started with a decent head that went away quickly and left no lace, very nice copper color with few bubbles

I didn't get much smell or taste out of this other than alcohol

It had a syrupy mouthfeel and a bit of warming towards the end.

I feel that I may have gotten a bad bottle of this, and it should probably be tried again. I don't think that this is a fair example of this beer, especially after reading other reviews.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2008 00:25:12 | More by searsclone

DmanGTR

New York

3.33/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - poured golden amber orange with 1" head that never completely disappeared. Pretty good lacing.

S - very very malty, slight fruity fig like or citrusy aroma

T - extreme maltiness, very overpowering. Alcoholic kick at the end. Very little, if any, hops taste.

M - light bodied and watery, medium carbonation

D - decent but the high alcohol will hinder it

Overall - I found this beer a bit lacking in complexity, taste, and character. However, it is still an ok Polish beer to drink with a porterhouse dinner. I probably would not buy this again unless someone actually wanted to try it with me.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2008 14:56:54 | More by DmanGTR

Homerbag

Wisconsin

2.7/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear copper with big head. Looks good in the pint.
Smells kinds sweet, malty no presence of hop. Smells like a Miller lite.
Taste sweet, kinda stale. Alcohol kicks in and makes it a little unleasant. Not much depth or character to it.
Feels light and fizzy reminds me of a Heiniken.

I respect beer and always willing to experiment with one. Won't do this one again.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2008 23:54:25 | More by Homerbag

debaniel

Iowa

3.03/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Saw the bottle at my local brew shop for $1.99 - I've enjoyed most of the previous Polish beers I've tried, so I figured I'd give this one a shot.

APPEARANCE: Golden copper, very clear. Only about 1/2 inch of head, quickly dissipates into a ring around the surface.

SMELL: Wow, has it been that long since I've had a lager? Makes my nose tingle - spicey, with alcohol and warm malts, piney hops.

TASTE: Dry malty grains, I can taste rice, and the hops are far in the background. Not bad for a strong lager, really.

MOUTHFEEL: Light to moderate. Good amount of carbonation.

DRINKABILITY: This one is good, as long as you keep it cold. The warmer it gets, the more rice-like the flavor gets. For $1.99, though, this is a great beer, and one I would consider again.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2007 01:04:45 | More by debaniel

hopalongassidy

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

Another beer sold as a singleton at my local store. I saw the alcolol content, 8.7% and had to give it a try. It pours really nice with a copper color and nice head. It smells and tastes a little sweet but if it is not really cold can turn nasty. It is very strong and could make a short night of things if not taken seriously. I haven't had too many Polish beers, just the major labels, so this one was a little different. It should probably be brought out for special occassions only.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2007 18:03:33 | More by hopalongassidy

BBM

New York

3.65/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured an orange-amber into a dimpled mug, leaving a thin white head and foamy lacing around the glass. Aroma was sweet like caramel and molasses, with hints of grassy hops and alcohol.

The flavor is reminiscent of the smell. There's a big, malty sweetness up front, one that lingers perhaps a touch too long, but is still feels like it belongs. There is a noble hop finish, along with an alcoholic kick. Mouthfeel is sticky and a bit syrupy, but overall it's not bad. This one does pack a punch and is quite sweet, so I wouldn't call it a sessioner. But it's a very solid Polish beer that I would have again.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2007 23:22:43 | More by BBM

dacrza1

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Three hundred-plus years of brewing experience, eh? Let’s see...crisp and dry aroma from a generous head in a 22-oz. lager glass...a burnt sienna body with effervescence... a picture-perfect lager to the light...hints of alcohol early are not a good sign...yet, mellow, balanced and drinkable throughout the sampling.. full-bodied malt flirts with a metallic tinge..."European strong lager" was not in my lexicon before tonight, but I can appreciate the work on this...not so recommendable as it is a first-time thrill...

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2007 03:01:49 | More by dacrza1

sleazo

New York

2.4/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Found a bottle of this at the Garden in Greenpoint. I suppose I am on my way to trying alot of Polish beers.

A-Pours a nice copper with a steady stream of bubbles. I poured this into a half litre tall mug. A white head like freshly fallen snow.

S-a combination of sweet bread and alcohol. not much hop presence.

T-Very sweet with a bit of an alochol bite. It is a raw barley type of flavour. Kind of like drinking malt syrup with a shot of rubbing grappa in it. The aftertaste is strangely bitter like biting into a hop pellet with no hop nuances.

M-Light and fizzy. Normal for a euro type beer.

D-This is kind of gross. I am not a fan to say the least. At least it looks good.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2007 01:32:44 | More by sleazo

jettjon

Florida

3.78/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From the 500ml bottle stamped best before 17-04-07. I drank mine in early April 07 and seriously doubt that a few more months would have hurt this 8.7% malt bomb. Into a pint glass, an attractive light, transparent coppery-amber color with many tiny bubbles. One-finger whitish thin head that fades rapidly to a thin cap and ring with scattered lace. Nose evinces boozy malt liquor along with rich, solid malt and a bit more alcohol. Mouth of solid malt reminiscent of a good dopplebock, though with a solid hops bite followed by a mild to moderate alcohol burn. Finishes on a middle-bitter hopsy, dry note. Alcohol is present but is not dominant; it’s a good balance with flavor leaning more toward the malt. Mouth is nicely viscous and semi-syrupy but smooth as well. Pretty refreshing, too. Drinkability is very good overall; it’s tasty and feels good in the mouth.

Overall: Another pleasant surprise from Poland; I’ve been seeing a lot of good Polish brews at the local specialty liquor stores lately. Pleasantly malty with a solid 8.7% kick, this one is also priced reasonably enough to stock up on a few. Grab one (or a few) and check it out.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2007 23:43:38 | More by jettjon

jwc215

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours orange-amber with a thin head that becomes a bubbly cover, then a swirling, lasting patch. A few spots of lacing stick to glass.

The smell is of caramel with fruity, spicy alcohol.

The taste is of caramel upfront. Assertive, but not overpowering, alcohol is noticeable. Woody/cedary hops become more prominent as the drink progresses. Good balance between malt and hops, esp. for the style.

Just a touch of water in a fairly syrupy, medium body. Fairly smooth, esp. for the high abv.

A decent "sipping" brew from Poland. Caramel candy balanced by woody hops with some peppery/spicy alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2007 20:17:52 | More by jwc215

Zorro

California

3.88/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My bottle says 8.7% ABV.

Poured in the glass this is an exceptionally deep golden colored beer with a decent white, impressive for the beer strength.

The smell is sweet and exceptionally fruity smelling. Smells like a dead ringer for DFH Liquor De Malt in this respect. Peppery alcohol fumes with spicy Nobel hops under that, not unlike some of the Imperial Pilsners that have been made.

The taste begins sweet and strongly hopped with a fairly bitter after taste. Not as sweet as I would have feared this there is more than a normal dose of Nobel hops in this one. Somewhat fruity in taste but the malts here are not obliterated and that is what I taste most other than the hops. Spicy Nobel hops stand out here and are quite tasty.

Mouthfeel is thick yet not completely out of line for a lager.

Far more drinkable than expected, but I expected Eastern European Malt Liquor. A tasty beer from Poland, a country that regularly produces beers that are better than I would expect. Really this is the European interpretation of the Imperial Pilsner and it is a good one.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2007 03:29:34 | More by Zorro

Drew966

Florida

3.15/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hevelius Kaper pours a light copper color with a thick fluffy white head from a brown half liter bottle. The aroma is sweet and malty. The flavor is kind of grainy, hops and malt are both pretty noticeable, and alcohol is definitely there in the finish and there is definitely some warming. Just kind of average taste wise.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2006 00:53:16 | More by Drew966

andjusticeforale

Connecticut

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

This is a really tricky beer; its lighter cousin is so drinkable and the creaminess seems to work better with moderate alcohol. Nice maltiness, graininess in the finish; no discernably bitter hops.

This beer looks beautiful, and it tastes just as smooth; however, its not carbonated enough to balance the alcohol. Unfortunately it must be consumed super cold, heineken type coldness, in order to be very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2006 16:46:40 | More by andjusticeforale

riversider76

New York

3.9/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light brown. Not much head,but good lace. Smell is sweet. The alchol is evident. Body is medium, not much carbionation. Big flavor in this beer! Has a apple/fruit taste that was very appealing. Very whiskey like. I do reommend trying this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2006 02:10:42 | More by riversider76

dhilltop2000

Arizona

3.28/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy burnt orange with substantial foam. After settling, a fairly tight head resulted, which, unfortunately, dissipated with vary little to no lacing in the glass. The taste yielded a orange peel like, hop taste, with mixed honey notes. Fair beer for the price ($2.19) for a 1pt 0.9fl oz bottle at 8.7% alc.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2006 21:49:54 | More by dhilltop2000

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

3.1/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A - this lager pours a light brown or dark yellow, dpending on your perspective, a well retained head pure white head and moderate amounts of carbonation

S - has that apply sweet smell of a typical euro lager, that malt liquor kind of sweet, not my cup of tea, but im not gonna hold that against it, keep this objective

T - not as much as a malty overabundance as i expected, quite balanced and tasty, too malty sweet for me, but a quality beer

M&D - smooth and well balanced, but again not my stuff, too much of a alcohol taste, but made with quality and very good for its style

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2006 00:10:59 | More by sinstaineddemon