Portugals Best (Sagres)

Member Name: JimmyCorky

Product:	Sagres
Date:	10/06/09 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smooth, tastey, cheapish

Disadvantages: Not easy to find if you're not in Portugal

Sagres is a Portuguese beer introduced in 1940 which is popular in most of the country, although it has never really taken off in other countries around europe. Named after a town in the south west of the country, it is known as one of two most sought after lagers in Portugal, along with Super Bock, which is more popular throughout the northern regions. Sagres is actually known as the 'Lisbon beer', and even sponsors the stadium of the city's football team, Benfica, as well as the football league as a whole.

The taste is similar to most premium lagers around europe, particularly San Miguel and Heineken (Heineken International actually own the beer), and in my opinion is one of the best tasting lagers i have ever drank. I am by no means a master on lager, but i much prefer this light, smooth, golden looking drink to many others. It is not gassy and goes down easily, and if you find the right bar, it can be very cheap - we found a few bars in the Algarve selling for 1.50 euros a pint. At 5% it is strong, but you cannot tell this through taste or feeling (hangovers) and there are actually now various formats of the beer such as Stout and 'Light - Brazilian Style'.

I recently visited Sagres the town while on holiday near by in Lagos, and found it is just a quaint, relaxed little town. I don't know what i was expecting to find but i thought there might have been something particular about the place (despite it being the most south westerley town, and therefor the closest european town to the Americas) to have the name of the countries national beer, but there wasn't. Nice place all the same!

Overall, i fully recommend this lager to everyone for any occasion as it compares very favourably to other similarly priced beers. I just wish it was sold a bit more widely in the UK.

Summary: One of the best lagers i have tasted