Almaza Pilsner Beer - Brasserie Almaza S.A.L.

FLima

Brazil

2.84/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pale yellow, almost amber color with lots of head with medium retention.
Aroma of an adjunct lager but not unpleasant, bready malts, vanilla and adjuncts. Some floral hop notes.
Sweet malt and corn flavor with floral and herbal hops. Dry aftertaste with a mild bitterness.
Light body and unexpected low carbonation.
This seems to have a bit more hops (though low on alpha) than usual for an adjunct lager. Not a pilsner but decent for an adjunct lager. Better than the average mass adjunct lagers.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 01:01:05 | More by FLima

pmorey

Indiana

2.68/5  rDev -5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Bottle pour at our local Lebanese restaurant. Bright golden color with thin head. Heavy carbonation and left with a "Perrier" aftertaste. Not a beer I would choose on my own, but strangely enough it did make for a good pairing with my curry.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 19:31:03 | More by pmorey

Fatehunter

Oregon

2.28/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25

A finger of head on a clear, light straw colored body. Low retention on the head.
The aroma is faint: honey and grain.
The flavor is nothing. Water and water and a tiny bitter at the end.
A fizzy texture, light body and high carbonation.
A less than average beer and certainty not a pilsener.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 04:01:55 | More by Fatehunter

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a bottle at Mooney's Mediterranean Cafe in Winston-Salem, NC

A: Pours a crystal clear pale yellow in color with some moderate amounts of golden yellow highlights and heavy amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall bright white head that quickly reduces to a patchy thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Minimal amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of bready malts with a light hint of graininess and some light amounts of grassy and floral hops.

T: Very similar to the smell, the taste of this beer starts out with a moderate amount of bready malts with a light hint of grainy sweetness to it. That is followed by light flavors of grassy and floral hops. The hops contribute a light amount of bitterness which fades quickly.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation.

O: This is a pretty decent beer, my first from Lebanon, and exceeded my expectations considering it came in a green bottle (though it lacked the skunkiness I have come to expect with that type of packaging). Easy to drink and sessionable, though I would expect it to be best when served ice cold as I had mine.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 21:40:46 | More by dbrauneis

damndirtyape

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

330mL bottle (date stamp 120201509) poured into a Shaker pint glass. Given to me by a Lebanese colleague who knew I liked beer. Very kind.

Appearance: Pale clear gold color. Thin white head with some tiny islands of lacing.

Smell: Practically none at first - but a bit floral as it warms up.

Taste: Light, crisp, clean malt, hint of honey-like sweetness, light bitter finish and then some floral aftertaste. A bit unusual of a finish, but I think it works.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation just south of fizzy, but not bad. Thickness underneath a bit watery.

Overall / Drinkability: Not an amazing beer overall. Did go well with food though (Cottage Pie). Where this beer shines is in drinkability. I could easily have another and I can see myself enjoying this with a Lebanese meal sitting out in the heat or inside. In a way, it is what a pilsner should be - highly drinkable and cleansing of the palate, and this beer delivers in regards to that theme. I find this surprising in light of the very light flavor and aroma, but sometimes a good beer does not need to be rich in everything.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 22:50:57 | More by damndirtyape

htomsirveaux

Texas

2.7/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

330 mL bottle tried 15 Mar 2011. Courtesy of jk who picked it up in Oman, thanks! Served in the 0.4 L Hutthurmer mug.

Large white head. Well carbonated. Clear dark golden yellow in color. Aroma is primarily skunk with some mineral and sweet grain in the background. Fairly sweet to start. Thankfully the skunkiness is not nearly as present in the flavor. Slight graininess. Light effervescent body, minimal ethanol. Slight hint of lemon and mineral water in the finish. Aftertaste is a very faint bitterness.

I would drink this if I was in Lebanon. And could get it unskunked.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 14:24:43 | More by htomsirveaux

mikeg67

New Jersey

2.58/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle at Lebanese restaurant, West Chester OH. Pours deep golden with a long lasting white head and some lacing. Nose is of hay and some biscuit malt. Body is medium, crisp. Taste is grassy hops, and sweet biscuit malt. Finish is long and clean. Better than American macro, I could drink a second bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 20:56:05 | More by mikeg67

StonedTrippin

Colorado

2.98/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

my first beer from the middle east, i think. enjoyed at house of kebob on colorado boulevard. pours darker than most of these light pilsners, sort of brassy in color, almost no head. beer looks almost flat in the glass. smell is some light middle of the road rather neutral malts, and balanced out bittering hops only, maybe kent goldings or something low key. flavor is similarly basic, but none of that gross adjuncty taste the american versions all have. my girlfriend actually really enjoyed this beer. i thought it worked well with my lamb kebobs and hummus. feel was weak, i have to subtract for the lack of carbonation, just totally absent, but i also have to add back on because it actually did have some body, which is welcomed here. overall im glad i tried this, but its nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 16:14:55 | More by StonedTrippin

BlakeDaSnake

5/5  rDev +77.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Looks good in the glass. Can you say bubbles?

S: like a pound of sticky icky!!!

T: Light and refreshing. Citrus

M: carbonated yet light on the tongue

O: taste pretty, pretty, pretty,pretttty good! ummm....thats a beer you drink after mowing the lawn

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 18:58:35 | More by BlakeDaSnake

C20Percent

Virginia

2.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

*Review taken from notes*

A: Very pale yellow with bubbles. No head.

S: Like a light pils. Some wheat here -- some fruit there. Aroma very unorganized.

T: Light. Airy. Some sweetness in the background. Some fruit flavors. Taste like the best Miller Lite ever.

M: Light body -- very little carbonation.

O: No real flavor. Beer doesn't really stand out. Nice to have at a Greek restaurant, but would never purchase off the shelf. Value-less beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 19:20:01 | More by C20Percent

Murrhey

Montana

1.68/5  rDev -40.4%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Poured from a 11.2 oz bottle into a mug. Reviewed live.

A- Half a finger white head. Very poor retention. No lacing. Pale golden in color and extreme clarity.

S- Woof. Skunky and grassy. Has some wheat tones but that's about it. Pretty bad smelling beer.

T- Echoes the smell, grassy and some wheaty flavors. Not as bad as it smells, but not good either. Sweet and malty.

M- Light and fizzy.

O- Avoid. Got in a BevMo mystery pack and definitely wouldn't buy alone.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 06:39:11 | More by Murrhey

FrankieW

Lebanon

1/5  rDev -64.5%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

I used to be an avid Almaza drinker, until other Lebanese beers came along. It was not until I has tried the others that I began to understand the importance of beer tasting. In comparison to many other beers, I find Almaza to be weak in flavour and far too fizzy. Shame it got bought up...

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 09:05:37 | More by FrankieW

Drinkerofales

California

2.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours clear gold with a pure white head and some lacing.

Smell is light, hint of fruitiness, yeast and malt, all weak.

Taste is lightly tangy, but not much more. It has all the aspects of beer, but all are on the weak side.

Feels fizzy and light, easy to drink, but nothing special.

Overall, it's the Lebanese Pilsner. They try to call it a German Pilsner, but let's be honest, too much fizz and not enough flavor has this fall short.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 08:03:03 | More by Drinkerofales

avalon07

South Carolina

1.95/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A: Poured from a bottle to a pilsner glass. Had a golden yellow color and a clear consistency. There was a small amount of foamy head that quickly dissipated. No lacing at all.

S: Very skunky (typical of a green bottle beer), with some traces of hops and grain.

T: Tasted of light hops, lemon, grain, malt, andvthat skunky quality. Mainly, this beer is a watery, unappetizing mess. What flavor exists is completely uninteresting.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a slick, somewhat oily finish. Light-bodied.

O: I tried this beer out of mild curiosity. Simply put, this is not a great beer. It's just a mass-produced brew with little character.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 13:40:05 | More by avalon07

soju6

Missouri

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had a bottle while stranded at Washington Dulles Airport of all places.

A: Pours a pale golden color with a decent head that fades to some lacing.

S: Mild aroma, mostly of fresh grain with a hint of sweetness.

T: Starts with a nice crisp nip with a mild grain flavor. As it warmed a bit there was a bit of honey sweetness. Very mild bitterness and a dry finish.

F: Light body, crisp, clean and refreshing. Very non-offensive beer.

O: Not what I would real call a German Pilsner but still was not a bad beer. Probably goes best with spicy foods.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 09:51:22 | More by soju6

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.3/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Almaza (Arabic for diamond) has a medium, white head, and a clear, bubbly, golden appearance, with a good amount of lacing left behind. The aroma is initially skunky (green bottle), but then it's mostly malt and a touch of hops. The taste is similar, grain up front and a light hop bitterness present to round it out. Some sweetness and paper flavor is here as well. The mouthfeel is light and watery, and Almaza finishes crisp, clean, refreshing, and dry. Overall, it's an average beer.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 23:28:37 | More by RonaldTheriot

mactrail

California

2.65/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Faint hint of lemon, rather sharp flavor. Pours a light golden. Normal head, decent carbonation. Spritzy with a light mouthfeel. Tang of bitterness emerges in the aftertaste. A little bit of dirty cardboard is the main flavor. Malt may have been used somewhere in the manufacturing process.

Refreshing at first gulp, but utterly standard kind of lager. I think it's an American Adjunct Lager, but the line seems to be blurred with these multi-national pale beers. In any case, if you're comparing to actual German Pilseners this is not a competitor.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 23:32:21 | More by mactrail

awmiller

Texas

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not a bad brew coming out of Lebanon. This brew poured up a pale golden-colored body with a one-finger fizzy head with minimal retention and lacing effects. There’s quite a bit of carbonation going on! Aromas and flavors of grass and apples and something akin to fresh-husked corn. Very light bodied and surprisingly smooth with a dry finish with a nice subtle bite and aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 18:06:57 | More by awmiller

CrazyMike

Alberta (Canada)

2.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Slightly cloudy appearance with lots of light head that quickly settles down leaving some retention. Smell consists of bread, grain and a hint of fruit.

Taste was very light, but picked up grain, bread, corn with a small hint of hops and sweetness. The taste is clean, but nothing stands out. Light bodied with moderate carbonation. Aftertaste is a dry grainy taste.

Overall, the only thing that stood out was the smell. Taste is really no different then a North American light beer. Maybe if it was as hot as the Middle East, I would chug a bunch back.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 01:34:47 | More by CrazyMike

mdfb79

New York

2.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Got a bottle of this at Me Jana in Court House tonight. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pilsener glass.

a - Pours a cloudy straw yellow color with two inches of white head and moderate to high carbonation evident. Looks like a BMC macro.

s - Smells of grain, bread, and corn. Not offensive but not a ton going on

t - Tastes if bread, grain, wheat, and corn. Again, not that great.

m - Light body and high carbonation. Over carbonated.

o - Overall not a great pilsener. Nothing really stands out in this one. Would not seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 01:44:46 | More by mdfb79

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

2.95/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a dirty gold color, with a large white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains pungent light malts, lager yeast and some hops.

T: The taste starts out a little bit of malt thin sweetness followed by some breadiness of lager yeast and grain. The hops presence is mild but brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly bready.

M: A little crisp and a little smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

D: A little flavorful, goes down ok, not too filling, very mild kick, decent representation of style, not one of the better beers in the style but it’s not too bad either.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 00:19:38 | More by TheManiacalOne

Beejay

Virginia

2.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Yellow in color, with a white head. Crystal Clear, but the head is a bit lack luster.

S: Some sweet smells, with a little bit of fruit and a touch of skunk. Perhaps a touch of rice.

T: Light and slightly fruity. There is a touch of a crisp rice flavor in the finish, and a fairly watery presentation overall.

M: Medium in body, carbonation seems a touch low for the style. Still there is a little crisp refreshing quality to it.

O: Overall it is pretty forgettable, another country's version of the pilsner. Meh.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 20:33:39 | More by Beejay

PorterPatrol

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev +34.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A big surprise from Lebanon. Poured from a glass bottle, nice firm pilsener head with an enticing nose.

It's a simple pilsener, but well beyond expected from this primarily tee-totaling country.

Crisp and refreshing, with just enough bitter to round out the finish.

A perfect warm weather beer, affordable without the green bottle skunk. Just easy, well made German-style pilsener quality

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 15:48:45 | More by PorterPatrol

david18

New York

3/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I was in a Lebanese restaurant so what kind of beer do you drink? Lebanese, right? It was pretty standard pilsner, not really anything special. Very light, very ordinary but it was fun to have since I'd never tried it before. I wouldn't recommend but I would highly recommend Lebanese food if you've never tried it.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 20:01:19 | More by david18

KingRamer

Virginia

2.78/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

I came across this brew at the US Embassy in Lebanon on a mostly cool late spring day. The locals all rave about it, most likely out of a hometown pride, but it is a serviceable beer which is fitting for a most beautiful country which makes most of North America look boring.

Looked to me as exciting as most Pilsner not having much of a head.

Actually smelt a bit nutty and fairly crisp, the only really impressive part.

Tasted more nutty than expected but only as much an impact there as Pilsner or a light lager could have.

Not much body at all, great initial taste that fades as quickly as it surprises you, overall watery.

Would only indulge if your going to be eating the freshest of foods reminiscent of those found commonly through out this area. The food hear really is awesome.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2011 15:12:22 | More by KingRamer