Panama - Cerveceria Del Baru Panama, S.A.

ackleydg

Virginia

3.33/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewing this one in the context of what else is available in Panama...

A - standard yellow fizz from a macro lager, very clear

S - slightly better than average smell on this one, just a touch of hop aroma sets it apart from the other Panama big 3

T - again, just a little complexity makes Panama stand apart from the others

M - average; nice crisp, light lager

O - great for the hot weather in Panama City, not the best lager ever by a long shot

Serving type: can

05-23-2012 01:28:41 | More by ackleydg

cram

New York

3/5  rDev +8.3%

05-15-2013 21:06:13 | More by cram

kylehay2004

Florida

2.71/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

A: very clear and very light golden body. Has a thin head initially that rapidly dissipates and no real lacing.

S: strong musty, funky and grainy aroma. Hint of sweet corn. Much more there than I anticipated.

T: mild grains and malts. Sweet corn throughout. Little else, very simple.

M: light body and high carbonation. Crisp

Overall: about what you would expect. The aroma is a little heavy but the flavor is not as off putting. It's a little too sweet for the style but otherwise fairly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 23:44:27 | More by kylehay2004

nickfl

Florida

3.19/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours with a small head of white foam that dissipates quickly. The body is perfectly clear, and straw golden.

S - A strongly grainy aroma with distinct sulfur notes.

T - A clean, grainy flavor up front with a hint of hop character in the middle and a dry, balanced finish.

M - Medium body, moderately high carbonation, and a balanced finish.

D - Not bad, it is a bit rustic compared to most international lagers, but drinkable for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 23:43:32 | More by nickfl

mndlssphlsphr

Washington

1.99/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25

I am not sure if I opened a cerveza or a can of GMO corn according to the first whiff I took. The color is a typical lager of a light yellow urine that lets ya know that you're hydrated, but need to drink and sooner the better. The taste is of a water base and whatever else went into this can. Meh, but it gives the local people a sense of pride just like the 'mericans who take pride of their little flags even though they possess the "Made in China" tag. Pride is pride....even if it is solely in the form of wordplay.

Serving type: can

01-19-2013 03:28:19 | More by mndlssphlsphr

Nizzle913

Colorado

3/5  rDev +8.3%

12-28-2012 19:48:30 | More by Nizzle913

MAUEX_MFA

Rhode Island

2.25/5  rDev -18.8%

12-09-2012 07:13:40 | More by MAUEX_MFA

Redrover

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This one is pretty much everywhere in Panama. I have seen it in bottles and cans but never saw it on tap.

Poured into a glass, the beer is light gold with a fluffy white head.

It has a nose of sweet corn, grains and a light floral note.
The taste is malts and other grains. It is slightly sweet but does have some slight bitterness for balance. Mid glass it is crackers and touch of spice.

The mouth is ok, the active carbonation pushes the score to medium.

It is a serviceable hot weather Latin American lager. Take that for what it is.

Serving type: can

11-27-2012 21:30:30 | More by Redrover

cfalovo97

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev +8.3%

11-15-2012 02:34:41 | More by cfalovo97

RyanGoodman

Bolivia

1.5/5  rDev -45.8%

10-11-2012 23:17:11 | More by RyanGoodman

NickyG213

Arizona

4/5  rDev +44.4%

08-31-2012 22:25:42 | More by NickyG213

Laggarto

3.75/5  rDev +35.4%

06-30-2012 19:08:28 | More by Laggarto

CoryR

Oregon

2/5  rDev -27.8%

06-09-2012 21:05:38 | More by CoryR

LvanB

1/5  rDev -63.9%

06-03-2012 02:43:38 | More by LvanB

ThinkAgain

Ontario (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -18.8%

04-12-2012 04:08:27 | More by ThinkAgain

fabiansoliz

New York

3.43/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

It was lite and refreshing. I would imagine it would have to be since Panama city is so hot year-round. I had to try this national beer of Panama and I loved it. I also tried Balboa beer, which is also made in Panama but I stuck with the latter. It's such a popular beer, I am sure with locals and tourists, that it was sold out at one cafe.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 23:13:23 | More by fabiansoliz

beerhunter13

Ontario (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -9.7%

03-05-2012 01:10:22 | More by beerhunter13

dmorgan310

Michigan

2.5/5  rDev -9.7%

02-02-2012 23:35:00 | More by dmorgan310

WillCarrera

Illinois

2.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Pours a pale, straw yellow with a fluffy white head that quickly dissipates.

S- Lots of light grain, some leafy hops are just detectable.

T- Sweet, grainy malts, and some light, leafy hops that have just a bit of linger in finish. It's pretty sweet overall, but not cloying. I'm drinking this in David, Panama right now and this beer does really hit the spot when it's roasting hot outside. For a macro lager it's really not bad, it's a step above most of the cheap American macro lagers because it doesn't contain any adjuncts.

M- Thin mouthfeel, high carbonation, crisp and light finish. Very drinkable.

O- A decent macro lager, if this were available in the States I would probably buy it over most of the American macros. As far as Panamanian beers go, its probably closely tied with Balboa but definitely above Atlas or Soberana.

Serving type: can

09-18-2011 20:47:11 | More by WillCarrera

gkunkle

Oregon

2.9/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

My wonderful girlfriend brought this to me after spending a few months in central America along with a few other central American beers. This one was probably my least favorite of the group, but I still enjoyed it more than the Hamm's I had a few weeks back. Pours a transparent straw color with visible carbonation and a 1 finger head that dissipated like soda. Smells of grains, maybe a touch of hops. Taste is pretty similar, but has a little bit of skunkiness. Mouthfeel is thin with high carbonation. It sure is easy drinking, but not my drink of choice.

Serving type: can

01-24-2011 07:02:04 | More by gkunkle

ZorPrime

Quebec (Canada)

2.8/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Beer is pale yellow gold color. Very clear. White head. I'm surprise it sticks to the glass!!! Aroma is biscuity(malty) and slightly fruity. Light aroma. Nothing much goes on in the taste. Slightly fruity without any bitterness. In the mouth, the beer is thin, refreshing and the best local beer I had while in Panama City. Maybe because it is the one with less taste...

Serving type: can

01-02-2011 14:44:26 | More by ZorPrime

PhillyStyle

Georgia

2.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

While in Panama City, Panama (Café Barko, overlooking the Pacific):

The beer appeared a pale yellow with a white head that quickly dissipated. It was too dark and too warm a night to get a real good look at it as I had to down it quickly or it would get warm.

The aroma was about the same as the others, light and grainy, not much else.

The taste, again, was in line with the others, but a little weaker than Balboa, light, grainy.

The beer was extremely drinkable and light. Again, much like the others, but second best to Balboa.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2010 20:39:05 | More by PhillyStyle

soju6

Missouri

2.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a light yellow color with a good head that fades.

S: Grainy with a slight skunky aroma.

T: slightly sweet and mildly refreshing.

F: Light with ample carbonation

D: As there are not many choices away from the major hotels or tourist spots, go local. Goes well with the local foods. Compliments the climate, not heavy.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2010 12:49:07 | More by soju6

fizzy

Minnesota

2.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I am in Bocas del Toros as I write this review. CalaLuna Hotel. I have had a couple so bare with me. This is a typical Panamanian beer, sort of like an average American beer like Hamms. What the heck, this is Panama and drink what is here and love every drop. If you have a problem with Panama, you can always try Atlas or Balboa. Blind taste test? Hhahahahha, who the heck cares???? Judging from road side trash there really isn't a favorite in Panama. The odd Hamm's can mixed in is the real standout.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2010 22:51:19 | More by fizzy

semihobo

Michigan

2.42/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Reviewed on paper 12/27/08 in the Gamboa Rainforest near the Panama Canal.

12 oz. can, expiration date on the bottom is 22 May 09.

Ingredients: Agua, Cebada Malteada [malted barley], Lupulo, y Levadura. No adjuncts listed, unlike Balboa, another Panamanian lager.

In Spanish, on the side of the can: "Cerveza PANAMA has been the winner of the gold medal with palm leaves, the most prestigious distinction of beer quality chosen by Monde Selection, the oldest and most important institution that certifies the quality of food and drink in the world." And that was in 2008... the Monde Selection website seems pretty farcical.

Pours an extremely pale yellow, clear, with large bubbles and a big poofy head.

Smells of sour malt and skunky hops -- acrid.

Tastes better than it smells, but the sourness still interferes. Malts are slightly sweet and hops are bad-euro-lager leaning in their skunkiness but aren't too bad, and there is a little bitterness.

Smooth carbonation, nice mouthfeel, feels creamy for the style.

The smell is off-putting; even though this seems to use no adjuncts, I would still prefer Balboa or Atlas.

Serving type: can

12-29-2008 16:16:57 | More by semihobo