Here’s another first for me: Beerlao Dark Lager, the first beer I’ve ever tasted from the country of Lao (formerly Laos). That could well be because, as far as I can tell, Beerlao is the only brewery in the country, and it doesn’t seem their beers have been exported to the US until recently. If they were, at any rate, I can’t say that I have ever seen them.
A quick trip to the company’s website shows that the brewery was founded in 1973 just in time to be nationalized in 1975. It has gone through varying degrees of privatization and today is jointly and equally owned by the Laotian government and Carlsberg. You can read the whole story if you like at http://www.beerlao.la/eng/about.php.
The brewery doesn’t really say much about their dark lager except the following:
Beer Lao dark is an award winning beer brewed with the finest ingredients and roasted malt. A full-bodied tasted experience with a golden brown color.
Here’s what I think:
Beerlao Dark pours to a light brown color with a thick creamy head formation and a soft nutty malt nose. There’s a hint of that dark nuttiness in the palate, but not as much as I had hoped for. The beer does have a good amount of Brussels lace, and a gentle creaminess to it in texture. Sadly, the beer lacks depth, and gets a little lost with a bit of harsh grain. I don’t really get much more than a hint of grassy hops in the finish. Enough to balance, though.
Overall, this is not a beer that I would seek out, but I would take it over a Bud any day and if in Laos would definitely try it fresh on draft to see if it was any better. Beerlao Dark seems closest to a Vienna Lager in style though it’s a bit stronger than average there at 6.5% by volume. Total Wine only had it in single 11.2 ounce bottles, and those a bit pricey at $1.99 each for an average brew. Worth trying anyway, just to say you’ve had a beer from Lao. Complete your collection.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler