Golden Pheasant

Look: Nice golden color with light foamy head

Taste: Great barley taste with a slight hop bite during the finish

Conclusion: While my search for the perfect blond continues, I feel I’m getting closer; this is a very solid pilsner. This is an import beer from the Slovak Republic, and my experience with European pilsners is a good one. They know their beers, that’s for sure.

This is an ideal summer beer, as the semi-sweet barley flavor is oh so refreshing, while the slight hop finish gives it a slight change of character and adds boldness. And, at 5% ABV, you can put down a few of these refreshing brews with little hesitation. If this is the result of the pheasant that laid the golden egg, he who kills this bird deserves to burn in hell! This beer is a gift to be enjoyed by all. My only gripe is that, like most pilsners, the flavor washes away a bit too quick for my liking. I don’t know if its by design, or a result of the lightness of the beer, but its noticeable. That is the only thing that cost this beer a few points.

I give it an 8 out of 10

Steam Whistle

Taste: very light and hoppy. Great barley flavor


Conclusion: This is a very solid German style pilsner offering by the Toronto based brewery. It has a light mouth feel to it, but is packed with barley flavor. Anyone who reads this blog knows I’m not too thrilled about blond beers as most of them are severely lacking in the flavor department, but this beer is one of those few exceptions to the rule. It’s a great BBQ beer for the summer if you can find a sixer or 12er. Catch is, they only sell it in the greater Toronto area. You may be able to find it in some of the North Eastern states as well.


Although not the perfect blond, this beer was close.


An 8 out of 10

Salzburger, Stiegl

Look: Gold with no head

Taste: Mellow barley flavor with bitter aftertaste

Conclusion: Blame it on the green bottle but this beer didn't feel right from the start. It's smell was of barley but a very chemical and bland tasting one. There just wasn't enough flavor on the front end to balance out the bitter and displeasing taste your left with.

I suppose I'd give this one a chance again if I found it on tap, however, it was too old and a slight bit skunky tasting for my likes. Austria is a beautiful place. This beer fall short though.

4 Brews!

Hunter Valley, Bluetongue

Look: Golden brown with bleached head

Taste: Mellow spiced ale with bitter malt finish

Conclusion: Here was another fine surprise from the Beers of the World pack. The mouthfeel is smooth and glides the silky spice flavors down your throat with a very long lasting malt and bitter aftertaste. This is a chameleon of a beer and goes through different "colors" throughout the taste. Personally I like the rollercoaster ride brews as they tend to keep you on your toes. Quite different from the normal Pilsner, this is an Australian Pilsener. I wish I could find a sixer of this thing. Really liked the subtle spices and the ending slap on the tongue. Ah, I see...bruised tongue from the finish...bluetongue. Clever Aussies!

7 Brews!

Okocim Brewery, O.K. Beer

Look: Orangish yellow with a white head

Taste: Flat but pleasant barley

Conclusion: This is a polish brew that has 5.6% alcohol and dates back to 1845. The drink is subtle, crisp and clean and has a medium weight body. It comes off as a light beer that could go easily with any meal. Nonoffensive but tasty. Not a whole lot going on and I wasn't very excited.

A decent blond but nothing exciting or distinguishing that would make me want to come back. This was another of the Beers of the World pack. Missed on this one.

4 Brews!

San Miguel Pale Pilsen

Look: Blond with no head… (insert own blond joke here)

Taste: Slight bitterness with a nice barley taste

Conclusion: This beer hit the spot on the hot, humid Manila, Philippines day. I had this beer on my backpacking tour of South East Asia, and it was one of the better beers I had on my trip. Don’t get me wrong, it was not the best beer I’ve had, not even the best on my trip, but for $0.50 cents a bottle, it was GREAT!
The day was so hot that they brought over a bucket with ice. We were told the locals put ice in their beer because the heat warms it to above room temperatures. When in Rome, do as the Romans do – The ice did cool down the beer, and it was flavorful enough to not taste too watered down by the time the ice melted.
Believe me when I say that this beer tasted better after every round.

I give San Miguel a 4 out of 10