Heineken Lager Beer - Heineken Nederland B.V.

Groomsy

Kentucky

2.45/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I had this at a local Italian restaurant; the first experience wasn't anything great, so I decided to pick a dish that would potentially compliment the taste of the brew (Chicken Parmigiano). The bottle was served almost ice cold, so I decided to let it warm up for a little bit before trying it again, hoping for better results than the first time .

Appearance: A fairly standard pale and translucent straw/yellow color, but still very rich. Thick white head that dissipated very quickly.

Smell: This should have been the first red flag for me. The first thing that I noticed was a very husky, corn/grain type of smell; not a good sign, in my opinion. I also caught of whiff of some other steamed adjuncts (veggies?) and a VERY faint sweetness. Unremarkable and somewhat off-putting.

Taste: Initially, it was very crisp and "bright," I guess you could say. It's a very lightly hopped beer and isn't too challenging to the palate, but only contains the slightest hints of sweetness. There's a vague malty sweetness in the middle which is taken over by an overly grainy/corny taste and it finishes with slight bitterness. More of the grain flavor emerged as the beer warmed as well.

Mouthfeel: As much as I've overused the adjective, it's grainy. The beer also leaves a little bit of a silky film in its wake, coating the tongue in a rather undesirable alcohol type of flavor (but very lightly). The beer is very thin and watery.

Drinkability: For those who are into it, it would be easy to put down a few; but I don't know if I could have done a second one in one session. Its thin texture would make it easy for most and would be well suited for a crisp refreshment on a summer day.

Overall: For what it is, Heineken falls flat in my opinion. As an import, it's extremely overpriced and too hyped for its own good. I will say that its crispness does help to cleanse the palate while eating heavier dishes at restaurants and adds a contrast, but on its own, I have a hard time enjoying this brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2010 02:46:19 | More by Groomsy

Bear1964

Nebraska

3/5  rDev +9.9%

05-19-2013 17:33:10 | More by Bear1964

jbarletto

Massachusetts

2.25/5  rDev -17.6%

05-18-2013 21:44:37 | More by jbarletto

iHeartMNBeer

Minnesota

1.75/5  rDev -35.9%

05-18-2013 03:13:27 | More by iHeartMNBeer

Aric

Texas

3/5  rDev +9.9%

05-17-2013 22:49:14 | More by Aric

NickThePyro

Washington

2.75/5  rDev +0.7%

05-17-2013 22:42:56 | More by NickThePyro

ppvora

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +28.2%

05-17-2013 19:29:55 | More by ppvora

ajtorres311

Florida

3/5  rDev +9.9%

05-16-2013 15:42:43 | More by ajtorres311

JoyHelfrich

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev +0.7%

05-15-2013 05:20:11 | More by JoyHelfrich

KerryCummins1977

Kentucky

3/5  rDev +9.9%

05-15-2013 01:14:16 | More by KerryCummins1977

Sarmartay

California

2.5/5  rDev -8.4%

05-14-2013 20:02:29 | More by Sarmartay

RaphaelSC

Brazil

2.88/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

A: Pours a yellow light body, with a little white head.

S: A faint smell, almost inexistent.

T: Some bitterness and that is all, too much watery make this beer almost tasteless.

M: bitter and carbonation with a metallic aftertaste.

O: A little above average lager, better than most brazilian beers and large american lagers as budweiser, what means nothing in the end of the day.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 05:43:13 | More by RaphaelSC

Nolen12

Kentucky

1/5  rDev -63.4%

05-13-2013 17:07:30 | More by Nolen12

Bill235

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev +19%

05-12-2013 22:47:34 | More by Bill235

clark25

Pennsylvania

2/5  rDev -26.7%

05-12-2013 19:30:19 | More by clark25

DoubleMan2

Arizona

3.25/5  rDev +19%

05-12-2013 18:37:51 | More by DoubleMan2

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

2.25/5  rDev -17.6%

05-12-2013 17:39:42 | More by mikeburd1128

greggy1972

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev +19%

05-12-2013 15:35:28 | More by greggy1972

JC333

New York

2.75/5  rDev +0.7%

05-12-2013 00:43:41 | More by JC333

Ivegotmule

North Carolina

2.25/5  rDev -17.6%

05-11-2013 23:09:35 | More by Ivegotmule

billbeers

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev +9.9%

05-11-2013 03:53:53 | More by billbeers

TammyC2164

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +64.8%

05-10-2013 21:50:36 | More by TammyC2164

rph97

Texas

2.5/5  rDev -8.4%

05-10-2013 19:57:47 | More by rph97

jaimenavarrog

Mexico

2.75/5  rDev +0.7%

05-10-2013 19:40:22 | More by jaimenavarrog

endovelico

Portugal

3.3/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A: Clear pale yellow in color, highly effervescent and fizzy quickly vanishing head.

S: Unpolished, yet still a bit more agreeable than most typical macros. Aroma is mostly lemony and grassy notes.

T: Much to it's benefit, it's much more of a Heller approximation than you'd expect, with a - in a relative manner, of course - pleasant sweetish bubblegum center. One could also get some distinct minty backnotes and evergreen like aftertaste.

M: Palate suffers from the usual maladies: Profuse carbonation, dry finish, watery palate and lack of complexity to top it.

O: Still better than i remember most other European Pale Lagers / American Adjunct Lagers to be; It's not as 'adjuncty', so even if it's a thin beer it still carries a bit more flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 19:10:01 | More by endovelico