I’m not going to lie, as a Euro Strong Lager at 10%, this has the potential to be a little abrasive.

The pour lives up to the name in terms of the color, and gives a nice – if short-lived – white head. Some sticky lace. Passes the appearance test.

Nose is a slightly vegetal, sweetish affair that fits with the style but offers nothing more. I’m happy with that, my expectations are relatively low in that regard, and it meets those and stays within style parameters.

It’s clean. Offers no unpleasant aftertastes, and delivers the promised alcohol. The back end is relatively dry, considering, and the beer doesn’t really have any offensive edges. Considering the alcohol there is no slickness, so the mouthfeel once more exceeds the expectation. The alcohol is there but never too much. The surprisingly dryish finish persists.

I’m tempted to say that this is a very well made beer, and that can be true even if your love for strong Euro lagers does not exactly dovetail with that skill.