Medalla Light - Compañía Cervecera de Puerto Rico

jodiaz76

Puerto Rico

5/5  rDev +79.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

For a Light Lager, it's got a crisp, light taste. It's inexpensive, good at a variety of temperatures and needs no garnish. And for a canned beer, it's probably one of the best ones I've ever tasted. It's a puertorrican staple, and probably one of the best beers in the caribbean region.

Serving type: can

05-21-2011 12:44:02 | More by jodiaz76

Noelito76

New York

4.45/5  rDev +59.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I find it to be richer and much tastier in comparison to other light beers. It will taste really bitter if you don't drink it cold but cans are only 10 oz so you'll often finish it before it gets warm.

In Puerto Rico's climate, you can't do better than a tasty light beer that you can drink all day without getting too plastered.

Serving type: can

02-17-2005 15:39:06 | More by Noelito76

drinkalot123

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +48%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

This is the only beer to drink on the island. It is found at every dive bar and high end establishment on the rock. It is the best beer to have on the beach.

The appearence is nothing to write home about. It has a pale amber color with little head.

The smell is a little skunky

It tastes great considering it is a light beer and has a so so appearence and smell.

The drinkabilly is equel to water. It is the only beer to share with the locals. I wish they had it were I live.

Boque 4 life!

Serving type: can

06-20-2007 04:27:33 | More by drinkalot123

Beejay

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +42.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Straw Yellow, crystal clear with a white head. Nice carbonation throughout.

S: Sweet and pleasant. Perhaps a bit of corn and a little bite from the hops. Slightly metallic as well.

T: Sweet macro taste at first. Light and fresh, but in the back there is a spicy kick. A bit hoppier, maltier, and just plain bolder flavors in comparison to it's American cousins.

M: Light, crisp and refreshing. Bubbly. Everything this style should be.

D: This beer is everywhere in PR. It almost seems to be a constant in a sometimes disorderly world. It's simple, refreshing, and seems to always be the perfect beer for this time and place.

Serving type: can

06-24-2010 12:38:24 | More by Beejay

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.98/5  rDev +42.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Medalla Light has a thin, white head and a clear, fairly bubbly, straw appearance. The aroma is of sweet, bready barley malt and a shadow of a hop sting. Taste is of sweet bread, lemon, paper, a touch of syrup, and a kiss of hops. Mouthfeel is light and watery, and Medalla Light finishes crisp, clean, refreshing, mostly dry, extremely drinkable, and delicious. What a wonderful surprise! This might be the best mass-produced light beer on the market. I rate this one excellent.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 16:34:23 | More by RonaldTheriot

unclejimbay

Florida

3.7/5  rDev +32.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Medalla Light
ABV: Listed on label as 4 - 6%

I visited PR for a week in Jan 2010. I had plenty of this beer in every format available. Apparently the draft offering is "new" according to the locals. It's similiar to most adjunct light lagers, but is enjoyable in the right context on it's home turf in PR. I particularly enjoyed it most from the can while sailing off the east coast of Fajardo. I was able to try it from a bottle & glass at a friends beach villa in the Palmas. I also had it several time on draft in San Juan and enjoyed it most this way.

This brew's appearance had a respectable head, retention and lace as compared to most other macros (who usually have none. I was impressed with the noticeable fluffy lace collar and cap.

The aroma was nominal if any at all, subtley malty, maybe a whiff of corn if you are a true bloodhound.

The taste is light and crisp as expected. A bit sweet than most other macro light lagers. Seems to taste best and be most enjoyable draft in my opinion.

Mouthfeel is high carbonation with light body.

Drinkability is high on the island as its one of the only limited brews offered (other than Coors/Bud/etc). Dive in one and drink local...

Better yet try Old Harbor brewpub in San Juan if you can as they have some local variety.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2010 20:15:49 | More by unclejimbay

BeerDreadz

Louisiana

3.68/5  rDev +31.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This beer is a light lager beer that doesn't taste like a light lager,doesn't look a light lager but is a light lager ...this beer is sold everwhere in Puerto Rico(macro) and you can get for a buck...it have a nice smell and a very good taste for a island where it can be at 90 degrees in winter,i have taste it in cans,bottles and on-tap, i prefer it on tap but is hard to find....

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2007 08:37:10 | More by BeerDreadz

joezak5

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +31.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Had a bottle at a company dinner in PR. Medium crystal clear gold with an instantly dissapearing head. No retention nor lacing.

Smell: Light almondy earty grain... I'm debating whether to say light or subtle... I'll go with the latter since I'm still in PR.

Mouthfeel: Light with high but light carbonation.

Taste: The subtle nutty grain was nice on the first sip. Sweet grain on the finish. It lost a little flavor after that... just slight sweet grain.

Drinkability: Hey you're in PR... this is the beer... you can get it fresh... mine was on 7/15 with a best by date of 10/18. It's cold and crisp and great when you need something smooth and not complex. Viva Puerto Rico!

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2008 19:08:29 | More by joezak5

adkirkish

Florida

3.68/5  rDev +31.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: clear golden, thick foamy white head, persistent

A: corn based aroma, no hop aroma, no diacetyl, no dms.

F: watery across the board, but middle is def corny, no hops but nothing bad either.

M: med body, high carb, med high mouthfeel

O: one of the better light beers ive had.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2010 00:27:22 | More by adkirkish

lhaqq

California

3.63/5  rDev +30.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had a few of these on tap at different places in Puerto Rico.
A: Golden body with a frothy white head that dissipates quickly.
S: Not too much smell, some citrus and some corn.
T: Fairly watery, some corn, not too bad.
M: Pretty carbonated, wouldn't be good warm but is good cold.
D: Easy to drink. A great beer to have on a hot day on the beach in Puerto Rico.
On the the spectrum of light lagers, I'd rank it fairly close to the top.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2009 02:32:03 | More by lhaqq

AgingWarrior

Florida

3.55/5  rDev +27.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

I've been wanting to try one of these since I saw it on an episode of the old "Three Sheets" television show on the now defunct Mojo HD network.

Poured into a standard pint glass, medium gold with a nice foamy white head.

Smells a little grassy and grainy but with a hint of hops and spice.

Tastes pretty smooth and has a nice clean finish

Medium carbonation, mouthfeel is a little thin.

Very drinkable brew. For a light beer, this is pretty darn good. I would drink it again if I could get it.

Serving type: can

11-11-2010 16:18:02 | More by AgingWarrior

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.45/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

Everywhere in Puerto Rico, and the only and cheapest thing to drink there. It tastes excellent there, but I am sure being on vacation in the sun helps. Similar to Corona, etc. Comes in a 10oz can, like all beers on the island.

Yellow-gold straw with no head to speak of.

Underwhelming smell, some citrus, corn, and grains.

Pleasantly surprising taste for what it is, light, a touch of bitterness, some citrus.

Perfect for the heat on the beach on the island, not sure how it would be anywhere else. Very drinkable as long as it is served cold.

Serving type: can

10-12-2008 15:56:13 | More by craytonic

DmanGTR

New York

3.45/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A huge thanks to BJ for this one, straight from Puerto Rico and on his honeymoon no less! I like trying new beers and landing one from PR was on my to-do list.

Poured a golden straw color, perfectly clear, complete with a foamy white head of 2". It took a little bit to dissipate, but left some trails of lacing and retained as a thin ring. Even this is impressive for a light lager! Hints of corn sweetness and touch of metallic twang. Sweet and light, just as expected. It is not off-putting by any means. In fact, it has a pleasant sweet and lightly bitter taste, very clean finish, and drinks very much like water. Decently carbonated, although it could use just a touch more crispness. Otherwise, quite drinkable and great for this Florida weather, especially after a long run as I just did. Thanks again BJ!

Serving type: can

10-25-2010 02:52:49 | More by DmanGTR

beerprovedwright

Georgia

3.3/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a mug with lime, which I tossed to keep the original flavor of the beer. Head was a little better than a finger of foam with lace that was broken, but average cling. Color was a dark yellow, about a 3 on the SRM beer color strip. Smell of burnt corn, boiled oats, and lemon peel. Taste was sharp, with flavors of oatmeal, wheat, malt, citrus, and pepper. Mouthfeel was mildly creamy, with good tingle. Had this beer while I was vacationing in Puerto Rico. Not looking for another in the states, but I will drink it locally.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 16:56:54 | More by beerprovedwright

jermar

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This is the standard local beer in Puerto Rico. It comes in 10 oz. cans but this review is for the 12 oz. bottles. Bottle says it's a little over 3 carbos per bottle, which makes it a pretty low-card brew. It must be drunk very cold to avoid off tastes, and is pretty tasty if done so. It is in the US Light Lager category--not a favorite of mine, but acceptable in hot weather. Also pretty cheap, around $1 each in bars outside of the pricy areas of PR.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2004 02:23:03 | More by jermar

Redrover

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I just returned from a pleasant visit to Puerto Rico and let me tell you, this beer is everywhere. The bartenders were happy when folks ordered this. I saw it 10oz cans, on draught and in 12 oz bottles. Personally, I though the beer was best out of the bottle so that’s what I’ll review.

Poured into a pilsner glass, the beer is a typical bright gold with a surprisingly attractive but quickly diminishing bone white head. The head leaves just traces of lace.

The nose is as expected, a bit underwhelming. You get some grainy notes, grass and a bit of floral smell.

The taste is very solid for a light beer. There is some grain-based sweetness a trace of cracker and some noticeable, but subdued bitterness. That slight bitterness pushes up the taste ratings. It adds just enough balance and taste.

The mouth is well carbonated and a trifle slick. This is an easy enough drinker. It seems well matched to the locale. Its light enough to drink in the heat, but has much more substance than Bud or Miller Lite.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2007 19:53:03 | More by Redrover

mdaschaf

Washington

3.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had a ton of this while down in Puerto Rico since it was cheap and pretty much the only thing besides BMC as every place we went to.

A: Very standard light lager appearance. Bright gold, lots of carbonation bubbles. Nice white head though, but no lacing.

S: Not a ton going on here, but there is a slight floral aroma, some grain, and a little grass. Not bad.

T: Lots of grain, a little bit of floral hops, a slight citrus note. There is also a little bit of a metallic taste.

M: Pretty crisp and refreshing, it wasn't that hot in Puerto Rico, but I can see it being a nice beer to have on a hot summer day or on the beaches there. Nice carbonation.

O: Pretty good for the style, I like it more than the light lagers from BMC. The slight sweetness helps out.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 23:41:19 | More by mdaschaf

Cresant

Kentucky

3.05/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served this tiny 10 oz. can in a Guinness tulip. Date stamped on the bottom of the can was 13 OCT 11. The body was pale yellow and there was barely a head. The white foam faded quickly to a ring.

The smell was lightly malty. A bit herbal.

The taste was not too vegetal. There was a light bitterness. This one is rather crisp and very easy to drink.

The mouthfeel was light bodied with a zippy carbonation. I have used the word "light" several times here and it is a good description but not an insult. This is fine beer for hot weather and better than many mass market light lagers.

Serving type: can

07-06-2011 02:11:17 | More by Cresant

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Just got back from San Juan, PR. The island is littered with ads for Medalla Light. At 95% of places, that's the house beer (Coors Light here and there). So, if you're there for a few days, you're bound to have one. They range from 85 cents in a drugstore, to $1.50 for happy hour, to $4 at some nice restaurants. It's yellow, it's fizzy, and it tastes pretty average. But, it goes down pretty smooth. By the pool on a hot afternoon, or at a bar on a warm evening, if you are in Puerto Rico, you're not drinking a stout. You are drinking the ubiquitous Medalla Light. You just learn to like it there.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2009 00:05:12 | More by morebeergood

BeerManDan

California

3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

While in PR, do what the locals do, drink Medalla Light. The color was the standard light straw yellow with very little foam when poured. The taste was just OK, nothing to write home about. A standard lager light. A possible quincher on hot days to cool yourself off. Can't find anything of interest to write about this beer, just that if your visiting Puerto Rico, try it!

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2004 12:37:57 | More by BeerManDan

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This review is for the on-tap version:

A: Birght golden straw ina medium head that lasted a micro second

S: A nice balanced and rather suprising maltiness but very little hops

T: The difference between the keg and the bottle is like night and day the keg beer tatse so much better and has a much more smooth feel and less aggresive carbonation. Also teh beer from the keg doesnt have to be chugged since it doesnt taste so bad when it warms, unlike the bottled version

M: Much more pleasent than the over-carbonated bottle

D: Overall pretty good beer and especially if found on-tap

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2007 03:58:20 | More by JoEBoBpr

sgtpepper420

South Carolina

3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I just returned from Puerto Rico. I have to say, I love PR and I was having such a good time that I could've been drinking moose piss and would've considered it good. Medalla very similar to an american lager. Pours a brown color with a grainy malty taste. Great cold on a hot Puerto Rican day. If you visit PR this is a right of passage. An average beer for a great place. Pretty much 1$ at every bar. I had so many of these things in my pockets and hands from people buying em for me i didnt know what to do with all of em.

Serving type: can

09-03-2009 19:50:40 | More by sgtpepper420

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Big ups and major props to GallowsThief for thinking of me and sending me a CAN to add to The CANQuest (TM)! The package arrived coinciding with the beginning of the school year and I quickly lost track of who sent it to me. Madre de Dios! I am so ashamed. I was CANtacted by him and the scales fell from mine eyes as a result.

From the CAN (translated from the Spanish): "The finest expensive ingredients and a special process makes Medalla Light a unique flavor experience with fewer calories and carbohydrates."

The wee 10 fl. oz. CAN made me wonder what caused the delay, but the Crack & Glug went off without a hitch. I initially had two fingers of foamy, bone-white head but the retention was not there and it faded into memory pretty quickly. Color was a pale lemon-yellow with NE-quality clarity and lots of CO2 bubbles. Nose smelled of cereal adjuncts and my "Ho Hum" meter energized itself. Nothing new here folks, just keep moving. Mouthfeel was medium with a light, lager flavor on the tongue. Finish was semi-dry and definitely refreshing on a humid afternoon. I do not know what more I CAN say about this one. Whoops! I almost missed a bet by not noting that it was my first Puerto RiCAN beer on The CANQuest (TM).

Serving type: can

09-27-2011 21:27:29 | More by woodychandler

obrike

Texas

2.98/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer I choose when in Puerto Rico...of course, there's usually not much choice at the places I stay in/ shop in.

Light yellow pour, white head disappears almost instantly upon contact with glass...certainly not much to look at.

Not an offensive smell...which is already a good thing considering it's a light lager. Getting a bit of sweetness, some grainy malt.A little better than most light lager scents.

Tastes refreshing, smooth, no ill-aftertaste...much better than bud light or coors light. Sharp biting carbonation though.

Certainly an ok light lager...one that beats most of the big boys out there.

Serving type: can

11-05-2011 23:04:13 | More by obrike

MTNboy

Missouri

2.95/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I’ll bee honest this beer is not what you think it is going to be. True it is another mass producer pilsner like lager but I think it is very surprising. It is pretty bold for a light beer and you will find it everywhere in Puerto Rico. Despite common belief there are other beers made in Puerto Rico. They are just very elusive.

Appearance- An average yellow lager with virtually no head.

Smell- You better smell it as soon as you open it. The odor disappears fast. A little hay and grass like but in a good way.

Taste- It tastes like a mass produced American beer but I have to give it some due it doesn’t taste like a light beer. It is full of flavor and some hops are definitely present. The hops aren't there in force but they are there. A little of a malt liquor like finish though.

Mouthfeel- That was different with every bottle I tried sometimes it seemed as if it was a little watery and other seemed to have little more body.

Drinkability- Good, it was pretty versatile. It went well with the local food and when served cold it was very refreshing and did not lose any of it good traits like some beers do.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2007 12:59:59 | More by MTNboy