Taste test

THIS WEEK:

Carlsberg's Jacobsen range:

Saaz Blonde, a 7.1% abv blonde beer, and Bramley Wit, a 4.6% abv wheat beer - both imported from Denmark

Colin Smith

28, builder, London

In terms of packaging, these beers get top scores - the bottles are expensive and sophisticated-looking and I like the simple label design. The only thing is, I don't think the word "Carlsberg" should be so prominent - it ought to be on the back label, not the front. I expect the sort of people that drink Jacobsen wouldn't like to be reminded that it's imported by one of the big brewers.

Taste-wise, I was a big fan of the Bramley Wit beer. It is light, creamy and smooth, and has a very pleasant, fruity, after-taste. There is lots of flavour there, and although the label says it contains Bramley apples (hence the name), it is not at all overpowering. Being a wheat beer, it doesn't taste too unlike Hoegaarden.

The beer is very moreish, I would definitely buy it if I saw it in a pub. It's not the sort of drink you would have every night, but I doubt it was designed for that sort of consumption. I'd drink it as a treat, in the right location - in a smart pub or gastropub, perhaps with a meal.

The Saaz Blonde didn't do it for me, however. I didn't look at the alcohol content until after I'd tried it, but was immediately hit by how strong it tasted. Its high abv really ruins the flavour and the strong aftertaste is overpowering. A lower abv would make it much more drinkable.

Score:

Bramley Wit: 17/20

Saaz Blonde: 8/20