So I’m talking with one of the people I work with, someone I hadn’t met before. Turns out he’s a Greek too, and we immediately begin yapping enthusiastically to each other (in Greek, much to my coworkers’ surprise) about just how awesome it is over there. The conversation turns to beer, as it’s one of the things I recall most fondly from my time there. “Did you drink REAL Amstel?” “Yess!! It’s amazing… I can’t find it here, as hard as I try!” “They don’t import it… I’ve been looking for it for years.” “Damn!”
Such a shame, gentle readers. Regular Amstel, which is NOT available in the United States, is nothing even remotely close to that “Amstel Light” crap they sell here. It’s like a glass of bread, with a sprightly, slightly-sweet bite that puts every other beer I’ve tasted (and I’ve had lots) to utter shame.
This conversation got me thinking about trying to find it again, and my coworker tells me there’s this place (we were in his territory) down the road called “World of Beers” that has something like 800 beers from all over the world. I insist that we stop in on the way back. I was immediately (but not surprisingly) disappointed when the counter attendant told me the usual story: we don’t have it.
I did pick up a custom 6-pack of beers from Europe, though. One apiece of the following:
- Lagorila Special Lager (Bulgaria)
- Zywiec (Poland)
- Staropramen (Prague, Czech Republic)
- Mythos Lager (Greece – hey c’mon what’d you think?)
- Aris Lager (Greece)
- Abita Turbodog Lager (U.S. microbrew)
I’m looking forward to reviewing these beers, one-by-one.
For artistic and experiential effect, I’m drinking each beer out of a beautiful, swirled pint glass I got in Berlin a few years ago.
Beer #1: Lagorila Special Lager (overall score 7.5 / 10) This was a great beer, with a semi-bitter taste that really shined. It produced a really nice head after the expert pour I executed.
Beer #2: Zywiec (overall score 8.5 / 10) I decided to eat some fried chicken while drinking this one. It was an excellent decision and a great complement to some superb fucking chicken. Mind you, this was a full pint, as was the Bulgarian beer before this one.
Beer #3: Staropramen (overall score 6.9 / 10) I didn’t likee this one as much as i liked the last one. I flt it was a bit more bitter than the other two. I’m feeling a buzz dreeping on now.
Beer @4: Mythos Greek Lager (overall score 8.7 / 10) Opa! I’m partial to this one, obviously. It’s a beautiful beer. It makes my heart sing. And now I want more fried chicken. I’ve been drnking to about two hours how, and i’m on my 4t beer. This is good, GOOD BEAR. I like it! It reminds me of Amstel, a little bit. It also tastes a little like lasagna. Opa!
Aaaaachoo! Thank you.
Beer #5: Deal or No Deal is on. This fat dude from Staten Island just won $670,000 or something like that. Good for him! What pisses us off though, is that he had $3 Million in his case. Oh well. Oh, and I’m now dringing a Aris from Greece (overall score 7.0 / 10) It’s kinda flat-tasting. It isnt bad, but it isnt my favorte. I’m normally a mixed-drink drinker, and don’t indulge in beer all that often, so I’m feeling kinnd of drunk at the moment. I lov eyou all. Before opening this one I tell Idoia, “I dont know if I can drink another one after this.” and she says, “You’re gonna leave one lonely beer in there?” and looks at me like I’m some kinda asshole.
Beer #6: Have I told you I loved you today? This ber is dark and we cant fine where it says the alcholg chntent. I feel like I’m drinking a chocolate or caramel bar all of asuddnet. It’s good though but I’m far from sobr and I shoudl probbly hit “publixh” now befrore it’s too latel.
If there’s anything that will motivate me to posting, it’s beer. I just picked up a Samuel Adams mixed pack. It’s got a black, a brown, and a Hefeweizen (which is German, I’m sure, for ‘shit-faced’). Your comment about Amstel got me thinking about this beer. This is what the website says about it:
Samuel Adams® Hefeweizen beer is a traditional spin on a classic American craft brewing style. The brewers of Samuel Adams® used both malted and unmalted wheat, and two row Pale barley for a clean malty, cereal note. This bright, fruity wheat ale is unfiltered, retaining a natural haze from malt proteins, crisp, bright flavors of wheat, and fresh, fruity ester complexity from our proprietary ale yeast. Accentuated with Noble Spalt-Spalter hops, Samuel Adams® Hefeweizen has an elegant and pleasant bitterness, finishing smooth and clean.
Yummy. I feel very fortunate that I found this. Most of the grocery stores ‘roun’ these parts can’t claim beer as one of their strong suits. They seem to think that Heineken is pretty damn exotic.
This ‘World of Beers’ must be made known to me. We must visit and partake of their bounty. I’ve been itching to find McEwans once again – if nothing else than to prove to myself that it wasn’t a figment of my imagination.
Beer = love
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Mmm, sounds good, man! We must make a pilgrimage to this place. I was amazed at their selection and think you’ll be tickled pink as well.
Some of the grocery stores around here have a slightly better selection than others. I’ve found the bigger Publixes and lately, some Sweet Bays have a fairly decent selection — check out Sweet Bay for some stuff that’s beyond run-o-the-mill, and definately sexier than Heineken.
Here’s a link to directions to World of Beer in Clearwater, and here’s a link to their website
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For what it’s worth, I just sent Amstel an email requesting information on where to find Amstel Lager in the United States. We’ll see what they say.
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Here’s my original email, sent to Heineken USA last night:
I lived in Greece years ago, and enjoyed REGULAR Amstel – not the Amstel Light
available in the United States. I’ve scoured the web trying to find a source
for ordering REGULAR Amstel Lager but have been unsuccessful.
Is there ANY way or any place to acquire this SUPERIOR beer for us Americans,
without having to fly to Europe?
Thanks,
Chris Gkikas
I received a very polite and prompt response just now, and asked the followup question of WHY regular Amstel isn’t imported, or why it’s impossible to get it:
Dear Chris:
Thank you for your recent email message. We appreciate you taking time to contact us regarding our company and our products. Amstel is not available in the United States and Heineken only sells their products directly to distributors. Unfortunately, there would be no way for you to order this.
Thank you for your interest in Heineken USA.
Kind Regards,
Linda
Heineken USA
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Chris,
Unfortunately, the demand for Amstel is just not great enough to justify importing this into the U.S.
Kind Regards,
Linda
Heineken USA
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Hi Linda,
Thanks for your great support – no wonder I enjoy your products. Good service like these emails just makes the beer taste better. You can add my name, and this email, to a hopefully growing list of people wanting Amstel Lager in the USA.
Best regards,
Chris
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information on bulgaria
Interesting post. I came across this blog by accident, but it was a good accident. I have now bookmarked your blog for future use. Best wishes. Sofia Vergara.
Dave
Interesting topic… I’m working in this industry myself and I don’t agree about this in 100%, but I added your page to my bookmarks and hope to see more interesting articles in the future