This afternoon I attended a market research beer tasting at the Gooderham House (stunningly gorgeous place, by the way) on Jarvis. It was concerning a prototype beer called Stella Artois Nobilis. It's supposed to be an upscale beer intended more for special occasions - sort of a substitute for champagne or wine or other liquors that have that market cornered. It was described as a 7.2% golden lager with a refreshing citrus element, and would be sold in 750 ml or 1.5 L (I think) bottles. The proposed price for the 750 ml bottle at bars, pubs and restaurants would be $18.95, and at the LCBO $9.95.
Upon tasting it however, I was quite disappointed. I will say that it had a very "elegant" taste, which is to say very, very smooth with an almost refreshing aftertaste, but frustratingly bland and unmemorable. At that price a beer needs to have a "wow" factor, and Nobilis doesn't even come close. Unless they change the recipe to make it more flavourful, I don't see this venture working, especially when even at the LCBO there are a number of much tastier beers available for a smaller cost.
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Stella Artois Nobilis
It was already done with (Belgia) Krait beer also called King Cobra
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/krait-pres ... ager/54193
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/krait-pres ... ager/54193
Hmmmm quite the concept a fortified sparkling bottle conditioned lager with witbier spicing...Have sen that among Micro brewers this style is being produced as "imperial hefeweiss"...and the samles I tried caried it of well.
I have to wonder what corners would be cut by a mega brewer attempting a similar syle.
I presume the marketing folks didn't mention if it was an all natural beer?
Cold aged... double fermentation?
No adjunct dextrins, maltose, sugar concentrates or synthetic flavoring concentrates??
Natural bottle conditioned carbonation or shot full of CO2 ( does Kyoto know about this CO2 source)??
Or is it another Inbev mass marketed high gravity brew tarted up for self styled snobs??
No I'm not jaded.....but mega brewer marketing offers so much to be sardonic about
I have to wonder what corners would be cut by a mega brewer attempting a similar syle.
I presume the marketing folks didn't mention if it was an all natural beer?
Cold aged... double fermentation?
No adjunct dextrins, maltose, sugar concentrates or synthetic flavoring concentrates??
Natural bottle conditioned carbonation or shot full of CO2 ( does Kyoto know about this CO2 source)??
Or is it another Inbev mass marketed high gravity brew tarted up for self styled snobs??
No I'm not jaded.....but mega brewer marketing offers so much to be sardonic about
Aventinus rules!
Believe it or not this is not what I was hoping forDurendal wrote:Ha, none of those details were mentioned at all. Honestly, maybe it was just regular Stella with a higher alcohol content!
"Or is it another Inbev mass marketed high gravity brew tarted up for self styled snobs??"
I'd say that statement is the most fitting based on my experience
Aventinus rules!