Rotmistrz India Pale Ale/Lager
Review Date 2/17/2024 By John Staradumsky
A European Beer Collection! Costco was selling the European Beer Collection! Every September, at least every September since 2015, I have picked up a Kalea Beer Advent Calendar at Costco. This calendar features 24 unique German beers that are hard to find anywhere else, at least here in the USA. These calendars have a cult following (yes, I am part of that cult) and even a dedicated Facebook group.
Anyway, in early January of 2024, someone in the aforementioned group posted about The European Beer Collection, a 10-pack of 16.9 ounce cans from various European countries. I knew I wanted one, and in mid-February while shopping at Costco with my wife she pointed out a lone carton of said beers atop a display of some other beer I can’t remember. It went immediately into my cart, of course (they did have a pallet full of these we saw later).
The first beer I popped was Rotmistrz India Pale Ale/Lager from Poland’s Malcom S.A. brewery in Czerwionka-Leszczyny. Poland has a booming economy and it’s no surprise that the brewing industry should be part of that expansion. Now, I am not sure why the call this an India Pale Ale/Lager, since it has to be a lager or an ale, and my money is on India Pale Lager. Still, I have never had an IPA or an IPL from Poland, so this beer intrigued.
From the Box - European Beer Collection website:
ABOUT THIS BEER
Like much of Eastern Europe, Poland has been brewing beer since the middle ages. The brewery producing Rotmistrz originally began production in the mid-19th century, taking inspiration from British beer styles that began to be imported into Poland during the spread of the Industrial Revolution. Located in Central Poland close to the Czech border, the seamless fusion of traditional brewing techniques with innovative recipes results in a unique lineup of beers that tell the story of Poland’s fascinating history and brewing tradition in every glass.
Of the beer itself they say:
The classic IPA hoppiness is balanced by a smooth, malty lager character. Zesty grapefruit and juicy orange flavors on the attack are supported by a biscuity caramel midpalate, and the beer finishes with a pleasant and slightly resinous aftertaste.
Rotmistrz India Pale Ale/Lager has an alcohol content of 4% by volume. I paid $29.99 for the 10-pack, or $3 per 16.9-ounce beer. That seemed a fair price to me. My can is stamped with a best by date of 06.12.2024 on the bottom, which depending on US or European formatting could be June 12th or December 6th. I think the beer would be fine all the way through to December if handled properly. Rotmistrz is Polish for Captain.
Rotmistrz India Pale Ale/Lager pours to a pale golden color with a thick fluffy white head and a nose of bready malt, citrus and grassy hops. Taking a sip the beer is light to medium in body, more apropos to an IPL than an IPA. I suspect an IPL is what it is. There is fresh bready, with plenty of biscuity malt up front. I get piney grapefruity hops, which I love, and then grassy, bitter earthy ones. Finishes with a very respectable lingering bitter buzz.
I like it! I would definitely buy it again.
Beers of the European Beer Collection:
Germany
Poland
Rotmistrz India Pale Ale/Lager
Glad I tried it? 
T
Would I rebuy it??
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled, Canned
(D)=Draft
