Palma Louca?($8.29 at Uncle Tom's)
I crossed borders for this week's beer review, stopping first in the wonderful country of Brazil. Brewed by Cervejeria Kaiser, this pilsner definitely did not follow the same full-bodied mold of American beers. In fact, this beverage had a fairly thin taste with almost no aftertaste, much like a Corona with more malt, or a Pacifico with no finish. It pours a bright yellow with a small head, bubbling at a moderate rate as most other pilsners would, however, the aroma is much sweeter than other beers I have encountered. The best way to describe the taste is that it tastes as though it has been shipped thousands of miles and left on a shelf for weeks, before finally uncapping. I am sure that if I were to try this beer on my next visit to Brazil it would be an entirely different experience. The bottle is rather interesting as it incorporates very Amazonian colors (green, yellow, light blue) and leaves that reflect the rainforest of the area. Needless to say, if this is what Brazil exports as its premier brew, I wonder what would happen when they tried some Gritty's. Palma Louca: 2 stars.
La Fin Du Monde?($10.75 at Uncle Tom's)
If you want a beer with some power, this is it. Dropping the hammer at nine percent alcohol by volume, this Quebecois beer has no qualms in making you aware that it came to play. The first characteristic of this brew that distinguishes it from other lesser beers is the thick, foggy, creaminess that the golden hue permeates through. Much like other beers bottled with yeast, there is a strong champagne-like bubbling effect coming from the bottom of the glass that lasts for minutes after the pour. The smell is unlike any I have experienced, emanating a fruity yet citrus free aroma. It reminds me of bananas more than the hops that most Belgian style beers have. My first gulp almost made me sit down?this beer packs more taste into one sip than most do in half a beer, all the while masking the massive alcohol content the Canadians managed to pack in. There are hints of sweetness and bits of hops that complement themselves perfectly, a true tribute to what beer should taste like.
The label indicates a triple fermentation process that comes through in the smoothness of the finish, as well as in the terrifically well-rounded body that this beer has. Beside the fact that this beer is very expensive, it is an incredible beer. I noticed that this brewing company has two other types that will be next on my list to check out.
La Fin Du Monde: 4 stars.