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2095
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RATINGS: 255   WEIGHTED AVG: 2.6   EST. CALORIES: 138   ABV: 4.6%
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Local legends aren’t just born, they’re brewed. And no beer in the Midwest has a grander brewing tradition than Grain Belt. For over 100 years, Grain Belt has been the beer that fathers have passed on to sons and friends have passed amongst each other at local bars and watering holes. It is a beer with tradition that spans generations. Which is why it has become legendary–both here and across the country.

In the 1940s, around the same time Grain Belt built its famous bottle cap sign overlooking the Mississippi River in Northeast Minneapolis, they introduced a “Beer of Exceptional Quality”–Premium. With its crisp, unique flavor, Premium quickly became the flagship of the Grain Belt brand. And still is to this day.

Although the Grain Belt Premium recipe has changed hands over the years, one thing has remained the same–its legendary unique taste. And now that Premium is in the capable hands of a brewery with an even longer tradition than Grain Belt–the August Schell Brewery–may you rest assured that the flavor and heritage of Premium will live on forever.

So as a local legendary beer, we raise a glass to all the people, places and things that make the Midwest such a rich and unique place to live. Here’s to you!


3
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
NobleSquirrel (2579) - Chicago, Illinois, USA - JAN 31, 2011
Big ass mug at Grumpy’s Roseville. Pours a standard fizzy yellow gold with a fizzy white head. Nose is fresh grain, a hint of maize and distant American hops. A touch sweet and pils malt-y as well. On taste, a bit fizzy and acidic from CO2, very clean fermentation and a crisp, albeit light bitterness that balances the sweetness of the grain alright. Nothing too fancy, but a well made pale lager for sure.

3.1
   AROMA 4/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
shadey (1618) - Rochester, New York, USA - DEC 31, 2010
12oz bottle delivered by a friend. The color is a solid yellow-gold with no head to speak of. Aroma is standard corn lager, but its not faint - its a whole-hearted corn-fed beer. The flavors are where things get interesting. It is obvious that this is all about the corn grain, but it’s not bad at all. There is a nice body that rolls over the tongue without any nauseating aftertaste that I usually associate with these kinds of beers. It also can’t be described as watery - which is another typical characteristic. It’s easy to drink and doesn’t taste bad at all. Well done for an American corn-based lager.

2.9
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
CanIHave4Beers (2002) - Des Moines, Iowa, USA - DEC 3, 2010
I have likely had more servings of this single beer than I have had all the servings of imperial stout I’ve had combined. It’s not a beer I take "seriously" but it’s one I enjoy. The beer pours perfectly clear with a medium well retained tight head that leaves a good deal of lace on one side of the glass. The aroma is particularly fruity with light citrus and banana with some distinct maltiness and a little bit of corn. The flavor is sweet without being cloying right up front. The beer has plenty of snappy bright hoppiness and a nicely fruity character all around. There are some crackery notes and the corn is present but somehow works pretty well here as opposed to being fusel and distracting. The beer surprisingly finishes dry.

1.6
   AROMA 2/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 3/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 6/20
RobertDale (830) - Lansing, Kansas, USA - NOV 3, 2010
On tap in Minneapolis. Light gold with nice white head. Sweet aroma of corn and malt. Tastes too sweet for me. Barely drinkable.

2.7
   AROMA 4/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
mpersinger (299) - , California, USA - OCT 31, 2010
Clean lager look and feel that is free from grainy, thin or astringent descriptors indicative of adjunct. Has a fruity or slight apple note that is welcome.

1.2
   AROMA 1/10   APPEARANCE 1/5   TASTE 2/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 6/20
Dregs (20) - Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA - OCT 16, 2010
Very little aroma to speak of. Color is a light yellow. Although the first two criteria are disappointing the taste and palate are above average for the style. Has a sweeter initial taste than budweiser but still ends with that "macro" adjunct taste. Overall surprisingly drinkable for a cheap beer. A local favorite here in Minny.

1.8
   AROMA 3/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 4/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 7/20
lawman834 (128) - Georgia, USA - OCT 13, 2010
Touted as a local favorite in MN. A med golden. Smells and tastes quite fruity. I couldn’t put my finger on it, so I checked other reviews. Someone said blueberry. That’s it! This beer has quite a hint of blueberry. Not something I would care to have again, but at least it was interesting.

2.3
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 9/20
Dogbrick (4531) - Columbus, Ohio, USA - OCT 12, 2010
UPDATED: DEC 28, 2010 Sample at Ed’s (No Name) Bar in Winona. The beer is a clear straw color with a thin bone white head that burns away quickly. Spotty lacing on the glass. Bready malt aroma with some corn notes. Light body with grainy malt, citrus and corn flavors. The finish is sweet and malty with a mild fruit aftertaste. Pretty forgettable overall.


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Rating Notecard:
Beer: Grain Belt Premium Rating Avg: 2.6 No. of Ratings: 255
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