Grolsch, the famous Dutch brewer based in The Netherlands. I wonder which city, town, village or hamlet (Hamlet was Dutch wasn’t he?)* this European brew is brewed in? Perhaps Zundert, the home of Van Gogh? Or Amsterdam, with its colorful districts lit in red and its coffee shops unlike any Timmies you’ve ever seen. Or comte to think of it, how about a brietiful day in Gouda, if it’s on the whey. Let’s check the can shall we?
Saint John? There is a Saint John Cathedral in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, but that doesn’t sound like a likely place for a major brewery. Upon closer inspection it appears this brew is brewed in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada by Sleeman! But wait a minute, Sleeman doesn’t have a brewery in Saint John, that’s where Moosehead is located. This brew is brewed under the supervision of Grolsch, under license to Sleeman who is owned by Sapporo, and brewed in Saint John by Moosehead.** Sounds like this Dutch double is double Dutch!
Maybe that explains why I’m not getting my 27 ml European bonus beer with this local old world brew. Time for me to host this Dutch party with some New Brunswick courage.***
A very clear beer, with a slim steady head, far less confused than mine while trying to figure this brew out. It has a lager sweet element to the malt aroma. First taste is a malt body, some bitters with a mild crisp slightly grainy finish. The bitter goes its own way and leaves the sweet to fend for itself, with the fresh smooth malt. It is easy drinking, minimal graininess. It lends itself to a big swig or two, OK a few.
A traditional European-Japanese-Canadian pilsner.
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