Beer of the Week
April 23, 2008
Grade: B-
The Beer: Tyskie, a Euro Pale Lager, is Polish brewery Kompania Piwowarska’s flagship beer. The beer is imported by SABMiller, which also owns Miller Brewing Company.
Tyskie is the highest selling beer in Poland and tastes similar to Budweiser, but has a stronger taste. Tyskie is made in a macro-brewery, which makes it comparable to Miller Genuine Draft, Coors and Budweiser.
The Good: The grainy hops taste adds a nice kick to the beer, making it a stronger alternative to similar American offerings. Tyskie has a smooth mouth feel with a well-balanced bitter taste finish.
When compared to American “Ice” brews, Tyskie does not have a very noticeable alcohol-flavored taste.
The Bad: Tyskie has a well-masked 5.6 percent alcohol by volume, but the taste is more noticeable when compared to its American contemporaries – MGD has a 4.7 percent content and Budweiser has a 5 percent content. Additionally, the nutty aftertaste will discourage people who prefer light beers.
The Cost: $7.49 for a six-pack.
The Recommendation: If you feel like getting a higher quality beer than MGD, Bud or Coors, but don’t want to break the bank with a domestic or foreign micro-brewery, Tyskie fits the bill perfectly.
The Bottom Line: If you try Tyskie Gronie under the impression that it is a fine offering from a foreign micro-brewery or that it is a specialty brew, you will be sorely disappointed. However, when compared to American macro-breweries, Tyskie is an excellent alternative at a reasonable price.