Three years, three months ago, I gave up soda.
I mention this because I don’t really miss the stuff – after all, the nutritional value of beer is greater than the empty calories you’ll get from a cola. (Right?)
But my first venture into this Black Beer from Brazil got me thinking…
Am I actually drinking soda again?
Hey, we’ve teased you a little here, why not have us dive in to the review?
Xingu Black Beer Review
First of all, what’s with beer web pages? Really?
The page for Xingu Beer has a lizard holding the bottle. I think they’re trying to sell us more on the rainforest than anything.
Xingu is a river in Brazil. It’s also the name of a group of indigenous people. So you can feel semi-exotic while drinking the stuff – though, to be honest, not as exotic as we felt while sipping Portuguese wine.
Taste
Like cola.
Cola with no bubbles – there wasn’t much by way of beer carbonation here, no foam, no “hey, this is a beer” feel to this beer. Not that that was a bad thing, or a good thing. In this case…a thing.
Molasses and some sugar and some honey in the aftertaste. Not much of a nose, either. Extremely average, actually.
You have to like the “schwarzbier” style of beer. That’s German for “Black Beer.” Frankly, not my thing.
Profile
4.7% ABV. So right in the middle, eh? As we mentioned, a schwarzbier.
Value
I paid $4 for a bottle at World of Beer. Haven’t found a six-pack yet – but haven’t looked for one, either. It was that average a beer.
Metasip Grade: B-
I would give this a “C+,” except that wouldn’t be fair to porter, stout, and schwarzbier drinkers.
This is more for that class of drinkers – and I’m an ale first, lager second, pilsner third sort of guy. This class isn’t one I frequent…maybe you’ve had better experience? Let us know below – give it a rating!