Zhujiang Beer
Pours a pale yellow gold, nice lucky colour, with very thin white head that dissipates to leave a few bubbles lying around the top like strung-out opium addicts. Light carbonation, looks pretty ordinary really, although "appropriate" for the style. Nose is fairly pungent, with a strong rice aroma precluding any other grain or malt, slight piney hop, but smells very par for the style. Simply, inoffensive and bland. Taste is certainly not a powerful one; has elements of sweet rice, grass and a very light phenolic character. Not a particularly long palate. Maintains a steady influx of mild Asian bitterness on the mid, then sinks a bit on the back, leaving a very inoffensive yeasty hang, with a slightly sharp and unpleasant mouthfeel, quite acidic on the tongue without the joy of a properly constructed acidic flavour. Apart from that, it's what you expect from an Asian beer. Minimal potency, light and subdued flavour, smooth drinkability without any party-animal excitement. A bland, stoic beer for the masses.