Buckler - Heineken Nederland B.V.

harrymel

Washington

2/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Best by: unk

Golden raisin with a strewn top layer of central and perimeter whites. Smells like skunked hops, some metal and maybe wheat chex backwash. Not impressed by the nose here. Taste is grain, corn, a bit of herbal hops, some sugar, metal. Again, not very good. Thin body with light carb and an off dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 06:06:00 | More by harrymel

Spikester

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev +33.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Clear pale gold with a half inch head and a few lacings.
Smell is the best feature. Floral, herbal, woody.
Taste is very similar to regular Heineken but without the alcohol bite.
Mouthfeel is a bit thin and lightly carbonated.
Overall average with a slightly dry bitter finish. A little less sweet than most.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 06:33:07 | More by Spikester

jsisko01

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev +48.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is the second N/A beer I've ever tried. Lets see how it goes..

Appearance - Pours a clear straw color with an inch thick, creamy white head that lingers for a minute. Leaves behind a very nice lacing.

Smell - Very malty, has a subtle sweetness, with bread and grains.

Taste - I'd say this tastes exactly as described in the aroma. The malts taste very weird with no alcohol present..

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall - This stuff is pretty decent. It's definitely easy to drink on.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 04:31:05 | More by jsisko01

hardy008

Minnesota

1.3/5  rDev -46.7%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Clear pale yellow with a small white head with poor retention and no lacing. Smells like sweet grains, light grass, or hay. Not much else.

The taste is no better than the smell. Sweet, cheap tasting grains, some hay or grass. Watery and thin. Very artificial tasting. Also very bland.

Light bodied, or more correctly, thin and watery. Light, lively carbonation. I won't try this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 20:56:39 | More by hardy008

Fatehunter

Oregon

1.58/5  rDev -35.2%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Medium straw colored. A finger of head, quickly gone.
Smells like a metal can of grain.
Light taste, strong bitterness builds but ends with metallic aftertaste.
Light and weak body and moderate carbonation.
Well, it's tough to like this one. Pretty poor all around.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 18:00:50 | More by Fatehunter

metter98

New York

2.68/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: The beer is crystal clear straw yellow in color and has a moderate to high amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high bright white head that gradually died down, consistently leaving a thin head covering the surface and lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of sweet, bready malts in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste has diluted flavors of bready malts along with some hints of sweetness. No bitterness is perceptible.
M: It feels light-bodied and a bit watery on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is pretty good compared to some of the other non-alcoholic beers out there but seems like it could use a little more hops.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 00:37:46 | More by metter98

quirkzoo

Colorado

2.25/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

My grandmother kindly shared this one with me while preparing dinner.

Very clear, watery yellow, with a thin white head in a plastic cup that recedes quickly.

Tons of corn, kinda like smelling a jar of unpopped popcorn, some definite lager yeast cleanliness and just a touch of spiced hops (just a touch.

Taste is palatable, adjunct lager all the way.

Mouthfeel is thin, or highly drinkable, whichever you prefer.

Overall, if I did not know this was non-alcoholic I would have thought it was a coors light. Glad I got to share it with my Grandma who likes the taste of beer but not the alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 17:26:18 | More by quirkzoo

RodneyFarva

Spain

3.3/5  rDev +35.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

33cl can poured into a pint glass, best by 1/13

a: pours a clear gold, lots of carbonation bubbles, big 3 finger white head.

s: a distinct woodiness and nuttiness to it - chestnuts and walnuts - along with a bit of a hop aroma at the end

t: a light nuttiness, almost buttery, and biscuity malts, a touch of hops in the finish. carbonation is high as it should be

o: shockingly complex for the style, and enjoyable - I think it's better than heineken.

Serving type: can

03-27-2012 17:33:40 | More by RodneyFarva

DefenCorps

Oregon

2.63/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Oh yeah. $0.99. New style tick. New brewery tick. I guess this was a no-brainer.

Clear, light yellow with a dense, white head with surprisingly good retention and even a little lacing, this would pass for a pilsner. The nose is surprisingly hoppy, with a blend of Saaz and skunk, with moderately snappy lemon, and some grain. A little cereal is present. Not bad at all.

The palate has a blend of lemony and dusty Saaz, skunk and a touch of grain, all on an incredibly watery palate. No real sweetness is present, though a touch of corn and sugar are noticeable. Drying on the finish, watery and with a mild Saaz bite, there's actually a little lingering bitterness on the finish. Highly carbonated, this is quenching and refreshing. Fairly clean, there's nothing discernibly off here. This is not bad at all, and I would go as far as recommend it. It's significantly better than Heineken, and most macro lagers. In terms of non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, I would say this is second to maybe good tonic water, as the lack of sweetness and the added bitterness really do help. I actually drank the whole bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 01:07:26 | More by DefenCorps

drabmuh

Maryland

3.15/5  rDev +29.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

At the time of this review, this beer is #9 on the "Top Beers - Low Alcohol Beer" list on beeradvocate.com. $0.79 for a tick? Why not? 12 ounce bottle poured into a globe glass. How bad could it be?

Beer is clear, yellow, lightly carbonated, big white head with low retention, some lacing, looks fine.

Aroma is grainy, sweet, kind of like malt liquor.

Skunky, sweet, thin, grainy aftertaste, it reminds me a lot of a couple of adjunct lagers out there. Not worth a second look but it is not as bad as most out there. Fortunately my body can currently tolerate alcohol so Im going to go get a beverage that has some. NEXT!

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 03:54:22 | More by drabmuh

McStagger

California

3.3/5  rDev +35.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

My go to when I went dry for a few months last year.

A: Big pour. Fairly lively head. Standard macro color. As one user put...darker than a BMC. Still, it's that straw yellow we all know and expect. Head retention is meh. Lacing is average.

S: Metallic, grassy, husked grain, mild bit of hop presence.

T: Starts off bitter and clean, ends with husk grain notes and a cider-like finish.

M: Pretty seltzer like. Body is minimal.

O: I'm scoring this beer fairly well. While pretty mediocre as far as beer goes, I think this beer is stellar when compared to other NA's on the market. This one is about as close as I've come. So I'll meet in the middle on scoring. Not great overall, but great for the category.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 07:08:38 | More by McStagger

jifigz

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

My brother's pregnant wife picked up some of these while we were at the outer banks so she could still have a beer. She gave me the leftovers (maybe that's a sign?)

Bottle poured into a pint.

A: Looks pretty beer like. A mass produced yellow color that's a little darker than your standard Bud and what not, but pretty typical color. Better lacing and head than I have seen on a lot of American macros and Euro lagers for that matter. Doesn't look to bad.

S: Skunky, grassy, hayfield, sweet, and mildly bitter.

T: This beer has a very unusual taste. A strange sweetness is up front followed by an empty and bland nothingness. It is very grassy in flavor.

M: Average.

O: This is the first time I have ever had N/A beer, or less than 0.5% beer as it actually is. If I once was a serious alcoholic and could no longer have real beer due to health issues or whatever, I would gratefully drink this, but I would try the other N/A beers out there, they might be better. Either way it is pretty cool they at least make this so someone can enjoy a "beer" if they can't have alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 18:39:57 | More by jifigz

kojevergas

California

2.3/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Served from a bottle into an Estrella Damm goblet in Ibiza, Spain. Reviewed from notes.

A: Pours a two finger head of fair thickness, no cream, and poor pathetic retention. Colour is a clear gold.

Sm: Very nutty, actually. Malt and barley are there, alongside a hint of lime. I also get a fermented pineapple note, a bit like tepache. Interesting and unexpected.

T: Heavy pineapple is present in the body with a nut/malt climax and finish. Simple, but more bold than most alcohol free beers I've had.

Mf: Far too light, but it's a bit coarser than expected. In any case, it doesn't really suit the beer.

Dr: Obviously it's very drinkable as it's practically water, but it has no real alcohol content. I wouldn't have it again, but perhaps for the nondrinker it might be more worthwhile than Beck's or O'Doul's.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 04:33:21 | More by kojevergas

yemenmocha

Arizona

2.1/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Good god this is foul. Pours pale straw. White head. Nose is coked vegetables over fresh, raw skunk funk from fresh skunk roadkill. Amazing that they are able to sell this product. Would rather nose my Hanes after a long jog, with the socks too. Cereal grain sweetness is in there on the palate. Sweet corn & grainy finish.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 05:56:33 | More by yemenmocha

taigor

New York

1/5  rDev -59%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Poured into a pint glass.

A - Poured clear pale yellow color with minimal head that quickly dissipated leaving almost no lacing in the glass.

S - Awful grain grassy smell. Very unpleasant and skunky.

T - Bitter, grassy with slightly metallic aftertaste. Tastes like a powder mixed with water.

M - Very light and over-carbonated.

O - Stay away from it as much as possible. Anything including water is better than this.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 14:48:57 | More by taigor

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

1/5  rDev -59%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

First had: bottle at Club Society, Evesham, NJ

You'd have to be drunk to enjoy this. And that doesn't make sense any way you read it.

Poured a straw yellow with a quickly receding white head. Slight essence of grains in the aroma and not much else. Taste of skunk and stale grain juice. Like water in the mouth, and not drinkable for any reason.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 22:18:22 | More by Rifugium

mralphabet

Virginia

2.63/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A: Straw yellow, very clear, lots of visible carbonation. About a fingers worth head that dissipates to a nice ring with descend lacing.

S: Very grainy sweetness, maybe a little corny and a hint of lemon grass.

T: A lot like the smell, grainy, corny, sweet with a little tartness. Aftertaste is a little on the flat side and salty.

M: Very thin and watered down.

D: Not too bad for a Non Alcoholic beer.... Reminds me of Heineken... just a little more watered down.

My first Non Alcoholic beer... Tasted more like beer than I had expected.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 05:01:02 | More by mralphabet

womencantsail

California

1.2/5  rDev -50.8%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

I suppose this was deserved...thanks for sharing, Chris.

A: The pour is a very pale straw color with a finger's worth of white head.

S: This is what it would smell like if you were sprayed by a whole population of skunks. Just for a bit of "balance", we've got some resin and bong water. Maybe a bit of sweetness.

T: Amazingly bitter, and not in a good way. Lots of skunk, as you would expect after just opening the bottle. A bit of an apple juice sweetness underneath. Some coffee grounds too.

M: The body is light and thin and the carbonation is medium to high.

D: This was horrendous. I wish I could give this beer a zero on the aroma. Wow...do not buy this.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 04:47:47 | More by womencantsail

Arbitrator

California

1/5  rDev -59%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Chilled bottle into a glass. Shared by largadeer. Thanks, Chris.

I don't know if I see the point of non-alcoholic beers in general. If I'm not drinking, I'm not drinking; I don't need something that passes as some imitation of what I'm not having. Maybe I'm alone, but I just don't see the point and I don't recognize this as a valid 'style' of beer.

Clear, light straw body. Even from a few feet away I could smell how badly skunked this was. Did they preskunk it before bottling it? I just don't see how it went that bad. Anyway, it's sulfurous / minerally, skunky, terrible.

I don't have much to say. Skip it. Drink iced tea or something else if you really want non-alcoholic beverage. I just don't see the point of stuff like this.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 21:35:07 | More by Arbitrator

largadeer

California

1.43/5  rDev -41.4%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

12 oz bottle into a tulip. Clear watery yellow with a rapidly fading head. Smells like roadkill, sulfur, metal, minerals, husky grain. Sweet on the palate, extremely thin and somewhat metallic. Signature Heineken skunk. Grainy, watery finish with a little astringency. This is pretty much awful.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 04:00:07 | More by largadeer

TheKingofWichita

North Carolina

2.17/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Pours a sickly looking pale straw color (a little hazed) with a thick soapy white head and a little lacing. Smells of carbonated water with some grain and a little corn in the background. Mouthfeel is a little thin but they are usually thin for this style. Drinkability is low, because the beer just isn't that good.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2010 18:23:36 | More by TheKingofWichita

Halcyondays

California

2.8/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle, like the label,

A: Pours a sparkling clear golden with a soft white head, average retention, no lace.

S: Mild, notes of carbonic acid and husky grain, that's about it.

T: Bittersweet grainy malt flavour, with a nice little hop balance. Solid flavour.

M: Medium-bodied for the style. Spritzy, crisp but light carbonation character.

D: Nice near beer. No real off flavours and it really feels like you're drinking something.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 01:59:33 | More by Halcyondays

ithacabaron

California

3.1/5  rDev +27%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a truly golden yellow with a big, boisterous, foamy head. While the head does settle down into a toad's-eye cap, there is still very good lacing down the sides; an attractive proposition.

Smell is quite pleasing, a little clean corn, a bit of hops, and reasonably (frankly, surprisingly) focused. Not prone to the flabby, vegetal elements that plague the nose of most N/A beers.

Taste is of Carapils malt, a little bit of tinned carrot, a flinty nod from the hops. All in all, not bad, and the lack of ABV is hidden quite well. This is a difficult style to do well, and they've done an admirable job here.

Mouthfeel is the one major flaw with this product. For whatever reason, on the swallow, as the mild hop flavor passes over the palate, there is a very unpleasant, if not downright prickly sensation that attacks the tongue. Harsh, unusual, and uncalled for. A fatal flaw in an otherwise very enjoyable N/A beer.

Drinkability is fine; you wouldn't want to have too many of these, but you could have a few in a night. Will it be memorable? Nah. But it'll pass the time.

All in all, on the higher scoring end of the N/A beers out there, and by far more focused in flavor. I can't think of another brew that hides its lack of alcohol content so well, that tastes as much like...well, generic European Pale Lager beer. I just wish the mouthfeel wasn't so heinous. Give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 04:09:09 | More by ithacabaron

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev +34.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: 1/4 inch head, clear, gold in color, moderate carbonation.

Smell: wheat, grass, almost at the start of skunking

Taste: honey, toasted malt, grain and sugar

Mouthfeel: high carbonation, light bodied, sweet with a sugary ending

Drinkability: If I wanted a beer in this style, I could have several of these. It tastes like beer with a sweeter ending. It tastes like an above average lager. Good for the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2010 14:25:03 | More by tigg924

liddytime

Maine

3.1/5  rDev +27%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

There are some occasions when you need a beer but can't have the alcohol. This is the beer for those times! I have tried many (if not all of the ) non-alcoholic beers that ranged from awful to putrid. Buckler is different. It tastes like BEER!

It pours a light gold with really not much in the way of aroma. Light and malty on the palate. One can actually get the hint of some hop flavor in there. It does taste like a weaker version of Heineken. Very drinkable.

This is obviously not my first choice when I reach for a beer, but for those times when I can't have alcohol, this is a worthy substitute. Best non-alcoholic beer I've had.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2010 00:40:18 | More by liddytime