Barbados recommendations?

[Richard English]

Next June I have to visit Barbados.

Does anyone know whether it's possible to get a drinkable glass of beer there?

[keelkemper]

I cannot vouche for the taste, but the Banks Brewery in Barbados has been in operation since the 1960's. They are a local brewery, and probably produce a fairly large quanity of beer. They have several styles and a good website.

http://www.banksbeer.com/index.cfm?faction=company



Brewed since 1961 in Barbados

4.7 % alc. vol.

Banks Beer, the beer of Barbados, is a premium pilsner style lager with a smooth, fresh aroma and a medium alcohol content. Banks is brewed from a pure classic blend of 2-Row British and Australian malted barleys deliciously flavored by Yakima Clusters and the noble Styrian Goldings aroma hops. It is however Barbados' water, naturally filtered through limestone rock, along with our own special strain of yeast, which give Banks Beer its unique Bajan character and distinctive quality. Consistently the #1 choice among beer drinkers in Barbados since it was first produced in 1961. PRODUCT OVERVIEW Colour: Medium Gold Process: Fermented Aroma and Taste: Fresh and smooth Unit of sale (export): 275 ml / (275 ml)

[keelkemper]

LEGENDS PREMIUM LAGER is a celebration of the skills of our brew house team. Meticulously brewed by Banks (Barbados) Breweries to suit the taste of the discriminating drinker, LEGENDS is smooth with just that slight bitterness that adds to its sophistication. Since its launch in December 2002, it has become a staple in hotels, bars and wherever there's a party, and has secured endorsements from several sporting heroes including world-renowned cricketing champion Sir Garfield Sobers. This superior quality brew so impressed the judges at the Monde Selection Committee in Brussels, that it was awarded Gold medal status after just 5 months on the market. You can't miss the call of the blue and gold label on its elegant brown bottle, try an ice cold LEGENDS today and taste the difference quality makes.


PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Colour: Amber/gold

Process: Lagered/ fermented

Aroma and taste: Slightly bitter

Alcohol Content: 5.2%

Unit of sale: 250 ml

[Richard English]

Thank you for this.

I did spot their website and emailed themto ask a little more about their brewery and as to whether I could arrange a visit.

They have not replied.

[fretlessman71]

I hate to burst your bubble, Richard, but I've read a few reviews on BA regarding this stuff, and it's not likely that you'll be terribly impressed..... :(

[Richard English]

That doesn't surprise me on iota!

[DeanofAle]

In my experience Guinness Export is available everywhere in the Caribbean. It's a hot climate so you'll get lots of light lagers.

I like to take it in stride with the great experience of visiting such a beautiful place. I am NOT a light lager fan by any stretch. However, one of my fondest beer memories involved a back alley cafe in the Dominican Republic, a 100 degree F day, no shade, and an el Presidente in the form of a beer slushy.

I couldn't drink one now, but MAN, that sure hit the spot at the time.

On another note, I think that if I took what most people said about beer on BA and ratbeer.com (pun intended) as anything but PERSONAL OPINION (and often uninformed at that) - I might never drink a beer. Thankfully, I like to experience things on my own accord, form my own opinions.

Enjoy your trip!!

[newportstorm]

Pack a small carry on with whichever beers float your boat. I can usually fit at least 12 bottles (wrapped in tshirts, socks, etc.) in a small duffel bag. Could probably fit more if I really tried.

Doesn't help you when you're out and about, but to know you always have something nice to drink back at the hotel is a good feeling. Never been hassled by airport security or customs in any country to date.

Cheers!

[Richard English]

Quote "...Pack a small carry on with whichever beers float your boat. I can usually fit at least 12 bottles..."

That's a good idea - but what do I do after the first day? I'm there a week!

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Richard English
Quote "...Pack a small carry on with whichever beers float your boat. I can usually fit at least 12 bottles..."

That's a good idea - but what do I do after the first day? I'm there a week!

Hmmmm.....wear a pair of cargo pants (beer pockets), your favorite jacket with lots of pockets for beer, a small backpack as your "personal carry-on item" (separate from a carry-on bag)....

Ah hell! Screw your wardrobe - pack your suitcase full of beer too! Who needs more than a pair of shorts, a t-shirt and some flip-flops in the tropics anyway? ;)

Cheers!

[fretlessman71]

Richard, there's been a new member who has listed Banks beer as one of the 5 he'd like to have with him if stranded on a desert island. Did you get a chance to try this, and what did you think?

[Richard English]

Well, I drank a lot of it and can say that the "draught" - not draught at all, of course - just keg fizz - was real rubbish. Not all that much better than Dudweiser. However, the bottled was slightly stronger and had a little moire flavour.

Not a patch on, say, Hop Back Summer Lighting but better than any of the American mega-breweries' offerings.

But anyone who'd take it to a desert island as a favourite can't have tried many different kinds of beer, other, maybe than the US mega-products.

[HogieWan]

Just got back from the caribbean and couldn't find guiness foriegn anywhere. I was in the tourist trap spots most of the time, so YMMV

[chazwicke]

For a time in the 1990s Banks was contract brewed in the USA at Hudepohl Schoengling Brewery in Cincinatti. I still have a Banks shirt from the brewery rep. It was nothing but swill really. Maybe a shade better. When I was in Costa Rica I tried several beers, one or two which were acceptable but the main beer there is Imperial. It is also only a hair better than most mega swill. I think I heard that the two main breweries are owned by Pepsi and Coke. I did pass the Imperial brewery several times while I was in San Jose. And I'm certain I snapped a photo. On the fishing boats they only had canned Imperial. Never the less it was great fun catching sever 100+ pound sailfish.