Manitoba has one of the largest Icelandic settlements in the entire world (outside Iceland), so as a Manitoban, I want to be a true Manitoban and try beer that represents different cultures.
This week's selection is Ölvisholt Brugghús Skjálfti Lager (I don't even know how to pronounce that) from, of course, Iceland.
When I saw this at the MLCC, it was going to be this or another Belgian ale, but chose this as this was brand-spanking-new at the LC. However, it didn't have a price tag, so I was kind of worried it would be expensive.. and it kind of was.
Appearance: 500mL bottle, pours a deep golden colour, darker than most lagers, surprising. I expected corny, watered down, piss-coloured lager, just like the majority of the lagers collecting dust at the LC. It had minimal to no head, which was a bit of a surprise.
Aroma: Hoppy. That's just weird, I've honestly never seen a lager this hoppy, it kind of makes me giddy, has a nice citrus hint as well.
Taste: My nose wasn't playing tricks on me. This is quite a hoppy lager. In a way, it reminds me of a good India Pale Ale. This isn't a lager that ma and pa will drink with their dinner, as this doesn't appear to be your corny watery American-styled lager. But - aside from the hops, it IS a lager. If more lagers were hoppy, I'd be happier.
Value: This is what bugged me when I was at the LC, since they didn't have a price tag listing the price. It came out to $4.50 before tax, which can be quite pricey for a 500mL beer. The last time I bought an Icelandic beer, it was Egils Gull Lager, which was only $3 for a 500mL can, but that beer was bad. Ölvisholt Brugghús' own Lava Stout on the other hand, tasty and heavenly (but at $6+). The beer has an ABV of $5 so it won't get you drunk.
It's tastier than I expected, I was prepared to give this a fail raiting, but I was pleasantly surprised, I heart hops! Will I buy it again? Yes/No. It all depends on I'm craving a hoppy lager again.
www.flickr.com/photos/codyrl/6199038182/
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