Reviews

Καλημέρα, Γεια σας. (THAT’S GREEK FOR “HELLO HELLO”.)

So here I am again, but this time from far, far away. After two days of travelling I have made it to the other side of the world. From where I sit now, in the middle of our first stop, Athens, Greece, it has dawned upon me to aim for a review for each country I visit.

Today was spent on a “tropical Greek island” Aegina. This is the closet island to Athens, only about 45 minutes by boat. It was a delightful start to the day, 23 degrees at 9.30am when we arrived, but this was followed by thunderstorms and rain which poured like it was going out of fashion! This was just brilliant, as my friend and I had rented a quad bike to tour the island on – you could tell we were tourists, as we were the only ones wearing helmets.

Stopped and had a beer with lunch – Mythos. The restaurant told us they were out as it isn’t high season yet, but after a little grizzling they sent a young boy off to get us some from the closest shop. This is definitely one to try if you are over this way. 

However, enough about my day, it’s now 10pm, so sometime in the early hours of the morning for you guys and I have just sat down with my travel companion Gena and our newfound friend Jeremy, who is also a kiwi at a little café. From our table, sitting outside in about 22 degrees, we have the most spectacular view of the brightly lit-up Acropolis, and it is finally time for a light supper and a beer. 

The beer I shall review tonight is Alfa Lager.

POURS - Big head which dissolves quickly, leaving about a centimetre of thick white froth, speckled with well-formed bubbles.

COLOUR – light golden, straw colour.

NOSE – sweet flavours, floral hops coming through quite strongly with initial pour. Subtle malts and corns also need to be acknowledged. 

TASTE – the flavours aren’t overpowering; hops quite mild. Stronger flavours and more energy than New Zealand macro beers.  Very slight bitterness, but completes the beer nicely. Crisp on the palate, quite grainy. Light on the tongue, sweet aftertaste, doesn’t sit long in the mouth. Crisp and refreshing, very easy to drink, especially on a hot day.

Alfa doesn’t have anything on the full flavours of the New Zealand craft beers but as far as sitting down on a nice cool evening in Greece, it’s not a bad beer. Would choose Mythos over this one, but that is definitely personal preference. When you head off on your big OE I do recommend trying the local beers, don’t be boring and just have an Amstel – which is what they kept trying to sell us when they didn’t have Mythos. But as you can see, the persistence does pay off and it is worth it!! 

Best be off, after having a night in Milan, Italy we are heading to Prague this morning, so my next review will be coming from there… we will be there a month so if you’re lucky you might get more than one! Especially considering its well-known reputation for beer! 

Until next time… Σας ευχαριστώ και αντίο!

Charlie

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