The coming seven days include two very important occasions: International Beer Day (Aug 5) and National Day (come on, we don’t have to tell you do we?). So what better way to celebrate than with a different Singaporean beer for every day of the week? After all the quality craft beers we’ve had in recent months, it’s time to revisit some true red-and-white classics (and sample others we’d sensibly tuned out). Happy holidays!
Baron’s Extra Strong Brew
11.8%, $6.90 for a 500ml can
There are boys, there are men and there are lunatics who base their beer purchases solely on the number before the “%” symbol. It pours a mystifying hazy gold, exudes a sickly, boozy odor and tastes like a combination of orange juice and an orange shot into your face with a cannon.
Baron’s Strong Brew
8.8%, $6.50 for a 633ml bottle
A potent fruitiness dominates, and while pleasant at first, it becomes overpowering as the beer warms. Somewhat mild for a beer of its strength, but too many will still leave you writhing in bed the next morning.
ABC Extra Stout
7%, $6.40 for a 633ml bottle
Creamy and opaque, deep brown in color with aromas of cocoa and roasted malt, this bold but balanced stout will put hair on your chest and meat on your bones (sorry ladies).
Tiger Crystal
4.3%, $3.40 for a 300ml bottle
Plain, simple and slightly sweet without the hoppy kick of a regular Tiger, its lack of flavor is easily addressed by jamming a wedge of lime down its neck.
Tiger
5%, $4.80 for a 633ml bottle
Bready and sweet with a creamy head and a well-balanced hop flavor that dances about like a national flag fluttering in the breeze. This is one brew that lives up to the hype and promotional budget. An export we can be proud of.
Anchor Smooth Pilsener Beer
4.5%, $3.80 for a 633ml bottle
Malty and crisp with subdued bitterness and a light body, a taste of this doesn’t quite make you feel like the rugged seamen its name suggests, but it goes down pretty smoothly.
*I-S PICK* Raffles Export Lager
4.5%, $3.50 for a 500ml can
Pale, similar to the man for whom it’s named we imagine, Raffles raises a few questions: “Why are our lagers, export lagers and pilseners so similar?”, “What does a certain grand dame think of its name and palm symbol?” and, most importantly, “Why isn’t this beer being promoted more?” It’s drinkable, matches Tiger pound-for-pound and is our new first choice when it comes to budget drinking.
* This feature was in no way paid for, sponsored by, done as a favor for or otherwise affiliated with Asia Pacific Breweries. The fact that they control the entire domestic beer market (a Beeropoly?) is a happy coincidence. But if you’re reading this fellas, and feel like sending us some samples, we’re quite partial to Tiger or Raffles. You can keep the Baron’s for yourselves. Thanks muchly.
