Bavik Premium Pils

Brewed by Bavik-De Brabandere
Style: Pilsener
Harelbeke, Belgium

At a glance, the worst reviews appear to be for this one in the can. The 11.2 oz bottle was quite enjoyable. No skunkiness, and no metallic tones. A pleasant if not in any way surprising pilsner. I can’t seem to find an Urquell in SoCal that isn’t skunky, but this pilsner on repeated tastings has been crisp and clean with no lingering aftertaste. Tones of hay and grass, maybe some citrus underneath. Bubbly and light, clear yellow with a cottony head that lingers little and laces less. Nothing enlightening, but a nice refreshing drink that I will occasionally enjoy on hot summer days. Too bad some of you got what sounds like a gnarly version in the can.

Can shared with tupalev & jerc - courtesy of jerc. Pale, clear greenish-yellow colour with a big white head. Aroma could politely described as "herbal", but there’s definately some skunk in there, alongside some stale metallic notes. Absolutely awful flavour of rotten hay and metal filings - ugh! For those who think Stella is the biggest black mark on the Belgian brewing scene, you obviously haven’t tried Bavik...

On tap at Brouwers in Seattle.

I was in the mood for a straightforward pilsener when I had this one, and it fit the bill. It poured a light gold with a modest head; the aroma was cut-hay hops and a slightly sour twist. The flavor followed; sour hops, straightforward taste, reasonable if low-key malt balance. Not an exceptional beer by any stretch of the imagination, but unoffensive enough.

Leave it Jer to bring the swill! Skunky honey aroma. Very very light yellow, no head. Oh my goodness, what a bad taste: can, skunk, metal, harsh, grain. What a terrible linger! One of the worst tasting beers I have ever had. Makes Steelback look like (insert good beer name here). Thin watery and funky, thanks Jer, at least it is a new countr....wait a minute, why did we have this?

11.2oz brown bottle from Ron’s in Farmington. Pours a translucent light straw color with a good inch of white head that dissipates leaving a fair bit of lacing. Smells fruity with caramel malt, yeast, and hints of DMS. Tastes malty sweet with almost a citric or grape-like component, just the slightest hint of cooked vegetable with a fairly clean finish. Light mouthfeel with effervescent carbonation. Not as hoppy as I’ve come to expect from the style, but otherwise a decent easy-drinking pils that beats the heck out of most Euro-lagers IMO. Oddly the aging seems to have improved this one since my last encounter with it.

Can from Premier in Halifax. Pale pastel yellow. Funky not quite skunked floral aroma. Dry tart bitterness thats not really citrus but kind of. Light palate. Pretty brutal.<P> Greg: "Jeff’s getting angry."
Jeff:"No, I’m more... disturbed"

A thin aroma, very similar to mass-market American lagers. Pale gold body with a sweet, dry taste that has a bitter ending.

Pours yellow with a small white head. Cornsyrup aroma with a sweet, corny taste on a thin body.