Medalla Light - Compañía Cervecera de Puerto Rico

Metalmonk

North Carolina

1.15/5  rDev -58.9%
look: 1 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Brought back from Puerto Rico by my lovely lady. Despite the fact she likes Rolling Rock and dislikes stouts, I trust her beer tastes otherwise. She said this was "drinkable" but didn't think I'd like it. Let's see...

Pour is rather "loud"...it hisses and sizzles, the rush of carbonation forming an extremely short-lived head. 10 seconds after the pour I'm sitting here looking at one very sad beer. Incredibly well-filtered with lots of bubbles rushing to the top to meet absolutely no head. Color is the kind of light gold I hate to see in any beer, as it usually equals "drainpour". 'One urine sample with gas please...'

Aroma is wet hay, faint honey and, I am not kidding, urine. That weird salty sweetness of the stuff. Maybe I'm letting appearance influence my perceptions of the aroma, but I don't think so.

One taste and I'm out But in the interest of responsible reviewing, I keep trying. It's a trial; I don't think I can be that constructive. It's watery and weirdly foul, like drinking chilled water that was used to over-boil vegetables two years ago. Carbonation is soda-like but extremely thin, and the finish is like sickly sweet light corn syrup.

Drinkable? Hell no. I don't care how hot it is, how excited you are to be on vacation, that it's the only beer available, it's cheap, it's low-cal, or whatever other excuse people might make to drink this swill. It just isn't worth it.

I asked for this. She knows wherever she travels, I want a beer from that country, and she delivered. I still love her of course, but I absolutely hate this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2008 00:20:17 | More by Metalmonk

Risser09

Pennsylvania

1.35/5  rDev -51.8%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

12 oz bottle poured into a mexican tulip - Fridge temp - 2009

Appearance: Pours a very pale and light yellow color indicative of urine. The head is 4" huge with a nice white color. Great retention and lots of sticky, foamy, lace.

Smell: Faint aromas; there isn't much to get a whiff of. Slight malt and a little bit of metallic aroma. Not much else.

Taste: Very tasteless. A little pinch of malt and hops, but there's not much flavor at all. A llittle skunky and a lot of disappointment.

Mouthfeel: Thin, watery and mildly carbonated. No noticeable alcohol. This is, of course, a light beer.

Drinkability: Extremely drinkable if you like watery, tasteless beer. This one goes down with very little effort, but with little satisfaction. I'm glad I got to try it....once.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2009 12:58:48 | More by Risser09

engisch

New Jersey

1.5/5  rDev -46.4%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

When I went to Puerto Rico on a business trip, this was the only beer that I could find that I had never had. If it is seen outside of Puerto Rico, it is not worth trying. It is slightly better than most light beers that I have had, but still it is practically the same as the light American swills.

It initially did not look too bad (like it may have had a chance), but that could have been due to the high temperature of the island and the excitement of trying a new beer. Soon after trying it, I decided Rum was the way to go. From what I saw of Puerto Rico, it is not a beer friendly place.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2008 22:53:58 | More by engisch

beerjerk

New Jersey

1.55/5  rDev -44.6%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Having lived in Puerto Rico for most of my life, I've had this beer more times than I would have liked to.

Swill with a weird, acidy taste. Slightly more aggressive than Coors Light, but on par or below.

Flavor is almost non-existent, except for a strange aftertaste which I can't quite describe, I used to joke around with friends how this one was mixed in with radiator coolant.

I thought I had grown immune to this one, but for some reason it always makes me ill upon having the first one whenever I visit Puerto Rico every year.

Not a good beer, but a huge part of my college days.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2010 17:44:00 | More by beerjerk

Fatehunter

Oregon

1.55/5  rDev -44.6%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I’m sure this beer is traditionally drunk from the can. I classed it up a bit and poured it into a clear plastic cup so I could see what I was drinking. It’s a cloudy, but clear golden color with only a thinnest layer of head.
It smells like nothing, save a faint grain smell.
It also tastes like nothing. There’s a slight bitter (the slightest) at the finish. Prior to that it tastes like carbonated water.
Light bodied, crisp and moderate carbonation. A refreshing feeling.
To be fair the can does state “sabor con menos calarias y carbohidratos.” So if there’s no calories or carbs, what’s left? Drink one and find out.

Serving type: can

05-24-2012 20:12:46 | More by Fatehunter

brystmar

New York

2/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Shared a can over dinner in Luquillo. Pours golden yellow, no head, really fizzy. Smell is full of skunky hops with a hint of sweet malt like most bad adjunct lagers. Taste is no better: skunky hops and other bitingly bad flavors. Mildly bitter and unpleasant like regular Bud or MGD.

If I want a light adjunct lager, I'm ordering Coors Light because it tastes the most like water. And honestly I'd much rather have water than any of the above.

Serving type: can

11-19-2011 18:21:30 | More by brystmar

freditoj

Alabama

2/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This is the signature puertorican beer. It is made in Mayaguez, and most of the Medalla fans are obviously in that area. College students love it because it is cheap. The color is golden yellow, almost no head when poured into a glass. It smells of grains, pretty unappealing if you ask me. The taste is too carbonated and leaves the hard palate with a dry/uncomfortable feeling. Overall it is a good beer if you like light beers, don't hesitate to give it a try.

Serving type: can

09-30-2012 19:50:52 | More by freditoj

Atricapilla

Pennsylvania

2.05/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Had ice cold from a can after spending the day working in El Yunque. I must say, the first few swigs were refreshing, being how hot and steamy it was. Basically is only decent if you're in the hot sun all day.

On a technical note: Appearance is a dull, hazy yellow. Fairly well carbonated with a small head. Aroma is essentially non-existant; taste is dull, no crispness, just carbonation.

Serving type: can

06-05-2010 22:46:31 | More by Atricapilla

yen157

New Jersey

2.08/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Had this during a layover in the San Juan airport.

Dark gold (not deep gold, strangely, dark gold) in color, big, creamy head that lasted only 20 seconds, but 17 seconds longer than anticipated. Not much going on in the nose. Little grassiness, some sweetness in the aroma. Body is very thin, and carbonation is very high.

This is a clean beer, with extremely low bitterness. A little corny, but not in a bad way. (relative here, please).Tastes just like Coors Light IMO.

Serving type: can

08-30-2005 15:12:10 | More by yen157

Gmann

New York

2.2/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed from notes taken on 1/15/11.

Pours a pale straw color, typical light beer look. The head was pure white and sudsy and short lived.

The aroma is grainy with a vegital/corn scent. Not too appealing.

The taste is much the same, quite grainy when a cooked veggie flavor. Some sulfer notes as well.

The feel is light, dry and crisp and well carbonated. Finishes clean when cold.

Typcial light lager. Refreshing when cold but has undesirable flavors when warming. Drank easy at the street festival.

Serving type: can

03-12-2011 22:13:55 | More by Gmann

Tschnab

New York

2.3/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A- very fizzy pale yellow piss.

S- Corn and malty water, and nothing else at all.

T- a sweet corn and light sweet malt and then just a flavorless finish with no bite. It drinks very smooth so honestly it's pretty bearable.

O- it's almost water, so on this humid day in puerto Rico, I'll take it.

Serving type: can

12-26-2011 21:38:13 | More by Tschnab

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

2.48/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Can poured into a tulip

A: Pours a straw, transparent yellow with very large bubbles and an interim fizzy head.

S: Smell is just a touch bitter, a little metallic, maybe even sweet like honey, but it’s short lived. A little skunky.

T/M: A little more honey sweetness is mixed in with some fizzy carbonation up front and it’s pretty watery afterwards, like seltzer or tonic water.

Similar to most other American light lagers, except in Puerto Rican form.

TheBeerAlmanac.com

Serving type: can

01-17-2012 01:46:03 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

THECPJ

Delaware

2.53/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed from notes: had on draft at the airport waiting on connection flight.

appearance: golden pale yellow with a 1 finger white head

smell: lager yeast, malts,

taste: the same as it smells. lager yeast dominates,

mouthfeel: mild carbonation, thin body,

overall: rather boring beer but wasnt' expecting anything special. really easy to drink on warm days goes done easy and smooth. just doesn't have a whole lot to offer in flavor.

Cheers,
The CPJ

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2011 18:33:38 | More by THECPJ

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

2.55/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear golden yellow color with a decent amount ouf white fizzy head.

Not much of a scent, mostly just grain.

Mostly a taste of grains and some yeast, also a little bit skunky.

Light bodied, crisp and refreshing with adequate carbonation.

This is fairly easy to drink once you can get past the skunkiness, but otherwise it is below average.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 20:55:02 | More by BeerCon5

GallowsThief

Florida

2.58/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured out of a bottle into a regular old glass at Perurican, Condado, Puerto Rico. I have had this beer many times on business trips to PR. It is the Puerto Rican staple.

A – Poured out a clear golden yellow. Aggressive pour produces a good amount of fizzy white head.

S – Not much of a scent. Grainy. Corn.

T – Not a great deal going on taste wise. Its grainy like the smell with some subtle sweetness. There is some hops present in the taste but its light.

M – Light bodied and decent carbonation. Thin taste.

O – This is slightly better then BMC’s. It is perhaps a great beer for Puerto Rico and its hot days. Serves cold this makes a nice brew for the island but don’t expect much. That being said I have enjoyed drinking it countless times in the island. You are not going to find any craft choices here so go for it.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 12:46:30 | More by GallowsThief

HalfFull

California

2.63/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

275 ml. golden can poured into a glass, showing a light straw with a bit of a haze. Thin cap doesn't linger.

Aroma is thin as per the style. Notable corn and cereal grains going on. Quite minimal.

Flavor is quite dry with a short almost cottony finish. Offers a hint of grain on the feel but is otherwise a bit astringent. Overall the 'dry' nature of this beer was a bit of a surprise, tasting a bit like a light version of an ice beer. But alas, the Cruise Ship awaits..

Serving type: can

11-11-2012 04:28:58 | More by HalfFull

BEERchitect

Kentucky

2.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A standard light beer that rides the fence of malt and grain. A brilliantly clear beer fails to hold onto any head, retention, or carbonation because of light protiens and maltiness. Aroma and flavor show a part-grain, part-malt flavor and feel that ultimately falls on the wettened grain side of the fence. Light malt flavor and body makes the beer a bit astringent and begins to show vegital and sulfer notes as the beer warms, creating a harsh environment for light beers. Finishes clean and mostly crisp and with a soft herbal hop and grassy note. Par for the course when considering light beers.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2009 02:01:38 | More by BEERchitect

kkipple

South Carolina

2.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I do believe this is my first beer from Puerto Rico. Big thanks to my buddy Juan for sharing, just the thing to ease back into drinking after a night of silliness! Right?

Basically... this is a beach beer. Looks thin (is thin), yellow with a fast dying fizzy white head and is quit watery. It's a light Light Lager. Aroma is barely-there faint grain with some unwelcome to this tasters DMS... just not a lot going on. Is that a hop I smell?

Taste: Hmm. Clean and inoffensive and in-anything. Then again, so is water. Mouthfeel is fizzy and seltzer like. While I would drink this lying fatly on a beach in Puerto Rico, I can't really think of another time or place I'd want one. Rather boring to be honest, but what were you expecting?

Serving type: can

11-06-2010 14:45:19 | More by kkipple

kylehay2004

Florida

2.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: half finger head on a Straw yellow clear body.

S: light pale malts which is stronger than expected considering the lightness of this beers flavor and mouthfeel.

T: may be the lightest beer ever. Water up front and some pale malt as light hops in the finish.

M: very light body, high carbonation and very refreshing.

Overall: this beer is very refreshing probably because it tastes like water. No real flavor but nothing bad tasting either

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 19:58:01 | More by kylehay2004

jettjon

Florida

2.68/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Ordered at Don Tello restaurant, Cataño, Puerto Rico. From a green 12 oz bottle with no date in evidence into a plastic mug (yay!). Vigorous pour yields a large white foamy head that fades quickly leaving a thin cap and some lace. Somewhat cloudy, fizzy yellow body. Nose is grassy and macro-lager-ish. Not much there. Taste is slightly dry with a bit of corn adjunct; quite as expected from a light macro lager. Mouth is crisp, wet, and quenching; decent balance of smoothness and crispness for a lager. Drinkability is pretty decent; it's unassuming and quenching though not really much to come back for. Basically it's good for sitting on a beach or recovering from a hot day of sightseeing.

Overall: Yet another example of what I call "Mexi-lager," or in this case, "Rico-lager." Definitely drinkable on a hot day; in Puerto Rico it was plentiful and cheap. I came to appreciate this beer over my week-long trip in PR, since the only other readily available choice was Heineken. In its context, not a terrible beer, but now that I'm back in the states with thousands of other options, I won't seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2010 16:17:16 | More by jettjon

pbr85

New York

2.75/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Drank from the can and on tap, but thought it tasted better out of the can. Had it while on vacation in Rio Grande, PR. Pours a standard macro light lager yellow with a small white head. Taste was similar to a Miller Lite, with corn and rice malt flavors and absolutely no hop presence. For what it is, it tastes pretty good, and it is refreshing in the hot and humid weather. Definitely prefer this to a Coors Light and high above a Bud Light, about the same as a Miller Lite for me. Worth a try if you are in Puerto Rico, but certainly don't go searching for it. Drinkability is good because you can't get enough cold beverages when it is that hot out.

Serving type: can

06-23-2006 00:04:30 | More by pbr85

MillRat

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

An island-sized macro-lager. Evanescent white head atop crystal clear light yellow beer. Aroma is barely present, a hint of malt, a little graininess, perhaps. Typical macro-lager flavor with a bit more sweetness than BMC offerings, enough hop bitterness to balance, but no other hop presence noted. A light-bodied beer appropriate for the tropics, very quaffable as long as your focus is on something besides the beer, otherwise it gets boring.

The beer selection is pretty thin on the island, with the big 3 American labels and Heineken getting the most play. As long as you're visiting, why not drink something local and get a couple of respect points from the barkeep and waitstaff for supporting their hometown player?

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 23:47:30 | More by MillRat

sleazo

New York

2.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer is everywhere in PR and I ended up drinking my fair share of it on a trip down there this weekend.

A- vigourous pour produces no head. Straw coloured with large bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass.

S-Mild scent, some corn and some grainminess.

TBetter than expected. Slight corn graininess but relatively crisp.. Some Saazlike bitterness in the followthrough. Very dry with a faint vegetable quality.

M-light as can be expected with a tight carbonation.

D-As far as light beers go, at least this one had some taste and it wasnt that bad either. It is hot sticky and humid in PR so a 10oz can or bottle of this hits the spot.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2007 22:37:58 | More by sleazo

mltobin

Connecticut

2.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

When visiting a friend who was born here, but raised in the NY Metro area, I was introduced to Medalla Light.

A - A light, clear yellow color with a thin head.

S - A typical "light beer", nothing speical.

T- Slightly better than Bud Light, Coors Light, and some of the other competitors.

MF- Nothing special, more of a beer to wash down and drink quickly than to swish around for taste.

D- Average, goes down well. Very popular on the island and easy to down some prior to moving on to some Don Q cocktails.

Serving type: can

01-28-2008 01:38:31 | More by mltobin

rhoadsrage

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer pours a straw yellow body with a loose meringue of snow white head that boils away before the first sip leaving only a thin ring of big bubbles. There is a strong carbonation of big bubbles popping of the base of the glass.

S- The aroma is very clean with only a hint of mineral water really noticed.

T- The soft dry corn note leads to a carbonic acid note in the finish. There is a slight chalk note that comes through when the beer opens and a hint of tartness in the finish aswell.

M- The light mouthfeel has a scrubbing fizz and no alcohol heat.

O- This beer is light with almost no flavor. No hops or malt at all but it is also perfectly clean. No sulfur or off-flavors. Just fizzy water.

Serving type: can

01-03-2013 21:31:22 | More by rhoadsrage