United Nations of Beer

Red Stripe lager

by Ashley Cotter-Cairns
(UNOB HQ)

Red Stripe lager (4.7% ABV)
Jamaica

It's a sign of the beer times that most countries offer beer from a wide range of destinations. Among the stock at a local SAQ (Quebec liquor board) store was Red Stripe.

It's a clear, pale golden colour, with a fairly neutral, lightly hoppy smell. The head is fairly lively for what is effectively a macrobrew lager and sticks around for the duration of the beer.

I was quite disappointed at first swallow. The taste was flat, dull and uninspired. Then I happened to munch on a sweet snack (Quaker Life cereal without milk) and suddenly the beer developed a new profile. It takes on a far softer, more complex nature. Try eating this with caramel popcorn or sweet, dry breakfast cereal, like Life, on the side as a bar snack.

It will be quite refreshing, even if you don't have something sweet to hand. Not a terrible choice by any means, but there are plenty of better choices out there. Quite gassy and may leave you belching.

This is one of the most common beers to find if you're in the Caribbean. Along with Presidente and Carib, Red Stripe is pretty much everywhere.