Fresh Heineken

I live in the country, yes, you already knew that. One of the most annoying symptoms of living in the country is the unavailability of imported beers. I suppose a carry out owner has to stock what he can sell, if that case of Old Speckled Hen just sits on the shelf, then there is little point in ordering it. What is really annoying is when the beer store does stock some nice beers but instead of rotating the stock, that same case of beer will sit till some boob buys it. That boob is often me. I love imported beers with a special weakness for British Ales and German Pilsners and Lagers. Oh a fresh Spaten from Germany, or a nice Bass Ale from Britain, heaven in a pint glass. I just end up being the one eccentric beer drinker in the county that spends 8 bucks and ends up with stale skunk in a bottle.

I also like Heineken, while it is the Budweiser of Europe and the best selling beer in the world. I very much enjoy it's smooth malty flavor. A fresh Heineken is sweet but well balanced with a great hoppy bitterness. The beer is refreshing and has a good alcohol content. That is if it is fresh. Since Heineken is indeed the worlds most popular beer (everywhere but the USA that is) it can be found in our small town grocery stores and carry outs. I just never buy it, because it is almost never fresh. I have actually bought this beer, told the girl at the register I am bringing it back if it is stale and then pop a top in the parking lot in my car. Yes, I have walked right back in and exchanged my stale beer for something more palatable. I even know people that think Heineken is supposed to taste skunky, apparently they drink it to look cool, but do not realize they are ingesting a stale and rotting product.

Today I was in a drive through carry out that boasts 262 different beers. I was somewhat befuddled by the vast array of beers before me when I espied Heineken in cans. Canned Heineken has been around awhile and it is for sale in selected places. While it isnt real easy to find it can be done. I purchased the cans thinking that maybe it was the green glass bottles that caused every Heineken I have ever drank to go stale.

To my delight, the cans were filled with sweet, fresh delicious Heineken. I am sitting here with a decent buzz on just beside myself with joy over finally getting a drinkable beer from the Netherlands. The cans are cool too, heavy aluminum in an odd barrel shape that are fun to hold.

I will probably not have Heineken again any time soon, lord knows for $8.00 I can get a nice beer from anywhere with more flavor and body. It was just nice to drink a fine light European lager that didnt smell like road kill.

Remember these simple beer tips and you wont go wrong.
No fresh beer smells like skunk.
No beer is supposed to taste like ass.
If the beer has dust on the cans, it is likely not fresh.
Beer from Europe has been on a boat for a long time.
Ask your beer store manager how often your favorite import turns over. If he says he hasnt re-ordered since Christmas, stay away and get a Budweiser.
Rare, specialty imports found at the local Circle K are probably not there becuase someone asks for them, more likely they would be overstocks from big city stores, not a good indication of freshness.

I am off to enjoy another fresh imported beer.