Donzoko – Big Foam
Slipping a big one out of its sheath always gives us a thrill, when it comes to the advent calendar. Day 14 saw Big Foam, a 5% ABV Rustic Lager by Donzoko slipping into our hands. The can promises that this is dry, bready and citrusy, with Hallertau blanc and Astra hops providing a peachy white wine finish. Will it deliver though??
Jack
Boy howdy, this was a treat. Typically, our reviews eschew lagers, pilsners and the like, not out of snobbery per se, but just because typically the more interesting things are happening in the IPA and stout departments, or so I thought…
Well, actually, I’m still probably right there, the most interesting stuff is happening elsewhere, this is probably not the world’s most interesting beer, but then again interesting is not always such a good thing (*ahem* Tickle Monster*cough cough*). What Big Foam is, is as near to perfect as I have had in a while, it’s not trying to be interesting, it is trying to be good, and it is succeeding admirably. For me this lager did everything that you would expect of a lager, it refreshed, it provided yeasty notes and a crisp but slightly bitter finish, but it did it all so much better than I could have expected. Yes, there is a subtle slightly grassy/peachy flavour which serves only to accentuate the malty, yeasty notes, not hide them. This is as near to perfect as a pilsner could be. If I see it in my local bottle shop, I intend to buy a case.
Score – 4.25
Dan
I can't believe I hadn't cottoned on to this beer before!! It was an absolute revelation and far and away the best 'craft lager' I have had to date. Super crisp and refreshing, it was a challenge not to see away with it in one great gulp. Packed with those bready yeast flavours normally associated with lager but also offering some nice floral fruitiness and traces of the peach they allude to in the tasting notes.
This is the beer you force onto your dad or friend who isn't sold on craft beer yet, doesn't like the fruitiness of IPAs (regularly comparing them to cocktails) and whose comfort zone stretches to a Kingfisher down at the local curry house. Get them a can of this and I will be utterly flabbergasted, and personally afronted, if they aren't sold!!
Dan - 4.25
Watch us foam at the mouth for this wonderous lager by clicking here.
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