Rated #2 Overall: Kräftig - Smells a little off. A little sweet. Aftertaste is off. Foul. - Bitter. Yes. - Bland. Darker. - Oddly sweet. Hoppy finish. - Only acceptable at keg party at 3 a.m. - Hoppier, still light. A bit of fruit at the end. Kind of like Blue Moon. Might buy in summertime if it's on sale.
From tasters who knew they were drinking Kräftig: - Doesn't taste bad, just doesn't really taste. There seems to be a bit of an identity crisis: "We're not a craft beer" but please try to pronounce our name correctly. Seems peculiar to unveil this during winter. It's a perfectly serviceable beer for a brutal summer, backyard party. - A bit of an aftertaste, but it was OK. Reminds me of Rolling Rock.
Rated #3 Overall: Bud Select - Lite. As in, lite. - Light. No. - Watery. - Eh. Good for those who like extra milk in their coffee. - Soft, sweet, watery. - Dirty aftertaste, maybe like Bud Select. Would never buy, but if at a barbecue and only that offered, might be okay.
Rated #4 Overall: PBR - Après lawnmowing! - Yes. - Marginally hoppy. - Not bad for a malt liquor. This is a malt liquor, right? - Crisp, bit more plain. - More of an ale. Dirty tasting. Would not buy.
Rated #5 Overall: Stag - Stag? Utterly unobjectionable. A beer drinker's beer. - Water. No. - Clean. - Watery, but with bitter, hoppy edge. - Just dark enough to make you feel manly. - Very light. Like Bud Light, pilsnery, maybe. Natty Light? Would never buy.
Abridged version: Stag's watery, PBR tastes like malt liquor, Bud Select is mediocre, Kräftig is probably better in the summertime and Schlafly's Kölsch is complex. Oh, and when you drink five beers back to back in one sitting, they all start to taste alike.
For the record, the blind-taster who correctly identified the Stag rated it #1 overall.
Have you tried Kräftig? By all means share your tasting notes in the comments thread.
