Oranje-Tangy !! (Oranjeboom)

Member Name: WormThatTurned

Product:	Oranjeboom
Date:	04/02/03 (293 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Crisp+Smooth, Goes down well, Strong

Disadvantages: Salty aftertaste after a while

Oranjeboom originates from the Brouwerij De Oranjeboom in Breda, Holland which has been producing a variety of beers since 1528. Oranjeboom premium beer has been produced since 1671 and has always been considered a high quality premium type continental beer. Oranjeboom in English means 'Orange Tree' which refers to the Dutch royal family tree who produced it. Yes it is the same William of Orange who became King of England and who gave birth to the Orangemen, his descendents!

Oranjeboom is mass produced across the whole of Europe but is particurly popular of course in it's native Holland and the low countries. Although Pilsner continental lager/beers have been taking off in the UK over the last few decades including the likes of Stella Artois, Heineken, Becks and Kronenbouerg this Dutch beer's sales have been growing at a snails pace compared to it's competitors but don't turn your nose up because of this.

Oranjeboom is distributed in the U.K by Interbrew UK Ltd who are based in Luton and this will no doubt help their market share over the coming years owing to that firms clout. It is found in cans and bottles, the 66cl bottle has been the most recent addition to the range and it is becoming increasingly easy to find in the likes of Tesco's, Sainsbury's and Asda's. Off licences such as Thresher, Unwin's and Drink's Cabin also stock it as do restaurants but it is not yet distributed in barrels as far as I know although this could change now that Interbrew are financing it in the U.K. As the product is being marketed it is quite often on promotion at the big names. Keep a look out for BOGOF or knockdown offers on the many fliers you find in your local papers.

The Brouwerij De Oranjeboom in Holland have guided tours around the brewery showing each stage of the art in beer making much the same as a lot of British breweries do, which could be worth a visit if your on holiday near the area of Breda.
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I advise strongly that you serve chilled otherwise you will completely spoil the refreshing nature of the product (4-6 centigrade). Upon opening a bottle you will be hit by the distinctive smell this beer offers which is very hoppy. For the best results pour into a glass, you will see that this beer is very light in colour and has a foamy head. The continuous rising bubbles make it very appealing indeed and once it hit's your taste-buds you will find that it is a very refreshing drink, especially on a hot summers day. After a couple of cans you will begin to find the after-taste rather dry and salty, very reminiscent of Grolsch another quality Dutch beer. This makes you even more thirsty which I suppose is the point !

The hops used in Oranjeboom are and always have been of high quality as they should be considering it was originally a Royal brew and that comes across in the taste. I don't think it's the best of it's kind out there but of the European tasting lagers it's right up there with the best of them. Personally I think it's crisper than the likes of Stella and Red Stripe but it probably doesn't have the staying power of the likes of Carlsberg and Holsten. It's ideal to quench your thirst or to wash down a meal such as an Italian but isn't the type to get bladdered on a friday night with - it's too enjoyable for that.

Oranjeboom is still relatively unknown but will undoubtedly grow in the coming years because of it's quality. I would urge you to try it if you havn't already. If it does begin to become popular it could well become barrel/mass produced which could affect the quality long-term but in the mean time while it's still being imported have yourself a glass of this little Dutch treasure.

alc.5% vol

Distributed by Interbrew UK Ltd
Luton
LU1 3LS.

U.K Consumer Helpline 0870 2411124



Many Thanks for the read

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