Aldaris Zelta

Brewed by Aldaris (Carlsberg)
Style: Pale Lager
Riga, Latvia

Serve in Dimpled mug, English pint, Lager glass, Shaker

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UPDATED: JUL 29, 2008 I know it’s just a pale lager, but the low rating is deceptive. I had this after a long day at work, and WOW was it ever good. I need not explain aroma and taste, as you can probably assume what they were (typical mild hops and some malts, nice golden colour, etc.). But, this was a particularly flavourful pale lager, with a tad more emphasis on the malts (bready, biscuity), and it has a great oily mouth-feel, with an almost heavier body than a typical pale lager . It hit the spot perfectly. I guess maybe I was just in the ideal situation for a helles like this. I think certain raters see the low rating and their minds develop a prejudice, especially considering that typically this beer seems like yet another member of a long line-up of generic Euro lagers. But, if served properly, a true lager-lover should be able to appreciate this fine brew. Nicely done Latvia! Edit: Almost every time I have this it’s a little different. Maybe it’s all dependant on freshness. But sometimes it’s better than others, but fresh it seems to have a lot more straw character to it which is quite tasty. A dry hoppy quality in the finish. Other times toffee-like maltyness comes through. I wish I could have an endless supply of this stuff!

Bottle, from an ethnic food store in Scunthorpe. Gold, thin but sustained white head and gentle condition. Muted chalky graininess in the nose, slightly estery in the mouth with a gentle grain note matched by some delicate hop bitterness. Short estery sweet finish

Shared by Turdferguson. Sharp golden yellow with a foamy white head. Nose is bready and grassy with lightly spicy hop character. Flavor is very similar, light malty sweetness and not too offensive. Prickly/spicy quality that isn’t too bad.

Bottle. Love the pull tab cap. Straw yellow with a small white head. Nose is cereal, light bread, grain, corn, not terrible. Flavor is pretty nasty- corn, watered down cereal, cardboard. I guess I could suck this down if stuck in Latvia with nothing else to drink, but I may just prefer water. Depends on the situation. .

Bottle from Istanbul Supermarket, Smethwick. Clear glass bottle, highlights it’s goldenness. Poured into glass, it looks attractive, with thick white head. Smells like malty chewing gum. Very smooth, with malty sweetness as advertised. Finish is a little wallpapery, but this really isn’t too bad. Not enough hop or crispness, but pleasant.

Originally rated May 2005. Good foamy lacing and the creamy-fizz head has average retention. The colour of this brew is golden, but with a touch of amber. Quite nice. At first, I could smell euro malt, but then the hop became predominant. Crisp mouthfeel. Smooth start, going to a slight bitter finish. Biscuit afteraste. Non-repulsive lager.

500ml flip-top bottle, as Zelta Premium 5.2% abv., beer gift from Helga. Crystal clear, golden body. Fragile lacing from a airy, chalk white head. Plain grainy malts to the nose. Taste of sweet, bready malts. Dry, sweet fruity end. Minimal hops. Soft carbonated. Standard for the style (shared with Frau Eva, 20.03.2012).

Very light yellow color, but a great taste. Not too bitter, but a crisp beer. Foam is crystal white. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Tap, Riga... A terrible, headache inducing pint. Truly awful chemical taste, I can only imagine that the pipes hadn’t been cleaned correctly...

It was a long ago, don’t remember much... But in my memories, a really good pale lager. Hope to taste it again

330ml bottle pours a pale golden color with a 2 finger white head that setttles quickly leaving virtually no lacing. Aroma is mild cereal grains and light hops. Taste is light malt sweetness and mild hop bitterness. Light to medium body with decent carbonation. This is a drinkable beer on a hot day, nothing more.