An Outstanding Pilsener-style beer from China
Written: Nov 25 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: good flavor, nice hops aroma, decent price
Cons: green bottle, not freshness dated
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| 4-1-1's Full Review: Tsingtao Brewing Co Pale Lager |
Tsingtao Beer
4.8% alcohol by volume
Original Gravity: 11.0 degrees Plato
Serve 45-50°F
This Pilsener-style beer is imported from the People’s Republic of China. It is golden in color with low-to-moderate carbonation and a moderate-sized head. This beer has a hoppy aroma and contains about 4.8% alcohol by volume. Tsingtao has a good body and a pleasing, malt flavor with a light, bitter hop finish.
Tsingtao is brewed using mountain spring water from Laoshan, an area reputed for its pure water. The hops are domestically-grown and are of such good quality that the growers also export a portion of their crop to European breweries. Yeast and barley imported from Australia and Canada are used in the brewing process.
I live just a few miles from China Town (here in Los Angeles) and this is the beer that I always order with my meals whenever I am in a mood for Chinese food. Like most Pilseners, this one will stand up to a hearty meal -- and it seems especially well suited for Chinese cuisine. Generally, I enjoy wine with my meals and have had good luck pairing dry Gewürtztraminers and Fúme Blancs with Chinese foods. However, when one is in a China Town restaurant, it is very difficult to find good quality wine (I don’t think the Chinese drink too much wine), so inevitably I order the Tsingtao. This beer is especially refreshing with dishes like Kung-pao chicken, garlic chicken, and garlic pork. I don’t care to pair it with sweet dishes like Moo-shu pork or sweet-and-sour pork.
This is a good “world” beer, and when I have an extra money to spend, and when it is available, I’ll buy this beer before buying a Miller, Budweiser or Coor’s. I bought 630 ml bottles (21.3 oz.) for $1.99 each at a market in Monterey Park, a suburb of Los Angeles having a large Chinese population. I drank two of these bottle today, while cleaning out my garage (was 75°F and beautiful today in Southern California). Clearing out the garage is always hard work, and I think we men deserve a good beer or two in reward for our hard work.
This is not my favorite Pilsener, but it is well made and tastes great. It is a solid performer that many people around the world will enjoy.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
4-1-1
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 - Top 50 |
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Member: Tom Carr
Location: Southern California
Reviews written: 1090
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