Big Rock XO Lager

Brewed by Big Rock Brewery
Style: Premium Lager
Calgary, Canada

Woohoo...the once and former World Classic (see 4th edition of Jackson’s Pocket Guide). Golden colour. Doesn’t hold much head in my Grasshopper glass. The aroma is grainy/bready with a strong overtone of that signature Big Rock mushroom/foot character. Soft carbonation is a plus, but it might be the only one. This is very sweet, but not in a full-bodied malty sort of way. This is sweet in the doughy/worty way that non-alcs are. No hops. Saaz? Extra lagering? You cannot dazzle me with bullshit. This beer is poor, a failure amongst even the weak field of "craft" lagers. And what’s with the stewed peaches?

Corn-like DMS is strong in the nose and unfortunately overwhelms just about everything else except a light grainy character. Clear golden body is topped by a low white head that recedes rapidly to ring. While the graininess and corn are present in the flavour as well, there are also some lightly peppery hops and decent bitterness. Light body is somewhat watery in texture and carbonation is quite pointy. Tulip glass. Just above fridge temperature. Bottle (Gift. May-07). Thanks, Oakes!

Bottle shared with Mabel. Crisp pale yellow body with a small fluffy white head. Mild grassy hops aroma. Flavour has a mild bitterness throughout with light grassy and floral notes. Average palate. Meh. I did not think this was nearly as bad as everyone else, perhaps it was just cold enough, or I was thirsty enough to look past it, who knows

Bottle. Bright yellow with a thin macro-like head. Very starchy aroma. Bad start. But this drinks pretty well ... smooth and tasty. Light malt and lemon cookie with a basic hop component; this is made to compete with Labatt Blue, I presume and I’m not sure one could distinguish. Well made lager with just enough hop tanginess to rescue it from mediocrity. (#2881, 5/14/2007)

(Bottle) Courtesy of Oakes. Pours a thin, white, dissipating head with a highly-carbonated golden body. I cannot mix words, this sucks. Pure creamed corn malt flavour with a grainy nose. Not to my liking. Not very good. Other seem to agree.

Sometimes I find a lager or pilsener hard to rate. There is a fine line sometimes between success and failure. Sometimes intimidating to put the first rating in. Gold. Fair carbonation. 1/3 inch head does not last very long. Light bubbles maintained on the edge and middle. Light aroma with notes of grass, bread and sweet cookie. Noticeable up front hops. Sweet malt and finish. A light pilsener. Not going to set the world on fire. More mainstream than craft. Just can’t work up an excitement for it.

I suppose this can be thought of as Big Rock’s answer to Paddock Wood’s Czech Mate. The latter is by far the better. This came off as completely ordinary with barely a whiff of hops. I would place this behind most of Big Rock’s other offerings, and it certainly isn’t a standout among craft beer pale lagers.

[811-20071104] Bottle (w/ jerc). Yeasty sea aroma qualities. Clear, pale yellow body with a very quick bubbly white head. Grainy mild flavour has a bit of yeasty alcohol. Light-medium body. Not interesting.