Brew52 » Week 26

I used to drink this a lot…

ryan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:19:07 +0000

…but then discovered local craft beer. Chance are good that if you’re a Minnesotan, you know this beer. It’s our version of PBR, Iron City, Blatz, etc., etc. The beer pours pale yellow in color, with a light white head. The aroma is light and sweet, not hoppy or overly malty, but definitely more flavorful than your typical American pale lager. The old timers will tell you that they could detect a flavor change (water?) when this beer moved to New Ulm… me, I couldn’t tell… Not my favorite, but definitely one of my favorites for this style of beer.

smelly……but in a different way

Ben R — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:52:57 +0000

Erin mentioned that she thinks Grain Belt smells funny. From my experience, Grain Belt makes ME smell funny the next morning, I always have the worst gas the next day. Not unlike after a night that involves White Castle………..

smelly

Erin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:52:36 +0000

Being a lover of light beers, you’d think I’d love Grain Belt. I usually will drink it just fine if it’s the only light beer available, but I’ve found it has a weird odor that I don’t enjoy when drinking. In fact, on more than one occasion when drinking it out of a glass, I’ve been known to plug my nose while taking a swig. I prefer it in a bottle.

Premium Brew

ajkutzke — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:21:32 +0000

Great MN beer. One of the first beers I started drinking until I was introduced to other styles of beer and Micro brews. Premium has a lot of flavor for a lighter lager and yields a hint of blueberries. Standard staple at many weekend gatherings with friends. I’d recommend trying one if you haven’t. But seriously, who hasn’t had a Grain Belt Premium?

Loyal, but not in love

Ang — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:58:15 +0000

I have to agree with Joe Lunchpail on this one. Premo always has a place in my “heart” but I don’t go searching for it. Some of the northern MN bars don’t carry much else so it’s nice that it’s always a standby when I’m up visiting the folks, but I’m not in love with the lighter, cheaper taste.

should be served over ice

flashmcduff — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:24:50 +0000

I really can’t get too pumped about a good-old ’merican lager. That said, I have come to prefer Grain Belt over most other domestics given the choice. It’s the reliable Minnesota beer – when you’re out and about, don’t worry about what’s being served – they’ll have Premo. That’s good, I guess.

its like Die Hard, the movie; but beer, the drink

vonklebs — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:12:51 +0000

I love really good movies: the ones defined by their directed, written, and acted by characteristics and qualities. Then I also love Die Hard.

So, craft beer by technicality no; gonna drink it all night and still love it in the AM, yes. Still deserves some stars.

Thank you Schell’s for letting this beer live on.

BTW; don’t order a primo in New Ulm, you will get a Premium Light. Just saying, not that there is anything wrong with that.

State Fair beer

Joe Lunchpail — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:57:41 +0000

Let me be the first to not give this beer 5 stars. I guess it might be because I taste this beer with my tastebuds and not my heart, but Grain Belt is sub-average in the taste department at best. Although I agree that it is a good beer for binge drinking, I see little value to it other than that it is always the cheapest beer available at the State Fair. I do, however, prefer a Grain Belt any time the other choices are Bud, Bud Light, Mich Golden, Miller Lite, and Coors Light, which is often the case at bars back in my little hometown. Not being a hater here, just my opinion.

Simply Lovely

beckel — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:15:45 +0000

Oh Primo how we do love thee. This beer pours a very transparent golden color. Has moderate head that settles rather rapidly. Very simple scent of malt and almost a sweet citrus. Mouthfeel is very light and smooth. Tastes like a slightly malty lager with an almost tart after taste. Good flavor but very simple. This is a great easy drinking beer, particularly on a nice hot day. If your into simple lagers this is a good one to go for. Beyond that its always nice to enjoy a flavorful cold local beer that is reasonably inexpensive and very drinkable. Truly a premium beer.

My Go-To Brew

commas — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:29:14 +0000

I spent most of the winter working in the Grain Belt Studios in the old bottling house next to the brewery and it seemed downright weird to drink anything but Primo while we were there. Now, when I’m feeling overwhelmed at Surdyk’s and can’t think what to buy, I fall back on the Grain Belt. It’s perfect for summer – light, refreshing, tasty. It’s not too tasty, though. Not distinctive enough to get sick of. Best of all, you can get twelve bottles for less than ten bucks. Great for nights on the porch, barbeques, and yard work.