When I review a beer that I’ve had before, I often think back to that first occasion and what it was like.
Unfortunately, my first experience with this week’s Drop, Tiger Lager, was not great. I was about 20, had a hangover from a mate’s engagement party and had to turn up to his place that day for a dinner with his family and a few mates. I helped myself to green curry, pad-thai and a huge serving of satay prawns or as my mate used to say “Mum’s No.6, No.32 and a 16 special”. I then washed it down with about 400 Tiger Lager’s, and promptly acquainted myself with the footpath outside his house. I’ve since had a few Tiger’s but have always been wary of what they can do to you when embraced in that hazy alcohol induced excess.
The origin of Singapore’s Tiger Beer goes back to 1931, when Asia Pacific Breweries, then known as Malayan Breweries Limited, opened its first brewery. And as the little gold foil label on the stubby tells me, a year later the first Tiger Lager was launched. It’s now brewed under licence in several countries around the world. But there’s more news on the label, in Australia at least this is a “proper” fully imported beer. Not like Asahi stubbies that are brewed here under licence and pretend to be from overseas, this actually comes from Singapore. And that counts for something in my book. Tiger has gained over 40 international awards, including a Gold Medal at 2004’s World Beer Cup; their latest medal was silver in 2009’s Australian International Beer Awards.
In the glass, it looks just like nearly every other lager, it’s yellow and fizzy. But it did keep its head a little better than some which, I think, is often a good sign. It smells a little different to the other overseas lagers out there, a richer and less cheap sort of smell to it, even though it is still dominated by the usual blend of malted barley and hops. Unlike most lagers, this one does give an amount of hop powered bitter and sourness, that lingers well. Not quite up to the “bitter lager” standards, but it does well enough. It’s one of the smoother lagers out there, refreshing and easy to drink by the barrel load, intended to be had with hot, spicy cuisine. Most importantly it’s not a weak imitation of a western beer. I know that most people wouldn’t head straight for the Asian beer section when in the bottle-o; I confess that I’m one, but this little amber angel shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, the next time you’re at the local Thai restaurant; don’t worry about the food, fill up on the icy goodness found in the 330ml, 5%alc Tiger Lager.