What happened to lager?

Grolsch used to be my all-time favourite beer. The 5% one was amazing.

Now you can only get the 4% pils in shops which is horrid. It's such a shame. I really miss it, but I get the feeling it's never coming back.

It's weird they dropped it as most other stuff went the other way years ago. Heineken probably being the main one switching to the 5% imported version and being all the better for it.
 
It's weird they dropped it as most other stuff went the other way years ago. Heineken probably being the main one switching to the 5% imported version and being all the better for it.

OK, so here's the rubbishy reason for this.

Grolsch is back as a 4% abv beer, instead of its previous 5% abv version. The lower abv reportedly “answers the call from UK consumers, retailers and publicans alike for a product that delivers great refreshment at a slightly lower abv”. The brewer said it has managed to do this while still retaining its distinctive depth of flavour, which is achieved via its ‘double-brew’ process (a double-decoction mash, using two hop varieties blended with two types of Dutch malt.

Tim Clay, Managing Director at Asahi UK, said: “Grolsch Premium Pilsner is back with a fresh brand identity and a brilliant, revitalised liquid, brewed at its iconic home in East Netherlands. The brand-new packaging and in-store activations we’ve tailored for Grolsch’s return are just as exciting - highly distinctive and full of character. We’re delighted with the response and take-up from customers to date.

“This is a fantastic new proposition for the UK & Ireland market, building on Asahi UK’s comprehensive suite of premium beer and cider brands. It comes at an important time, with a growing consumer preference for a range of ABV beers that also offer high quality and strong provenance. Grolsch Pilsner ticks all those boxes, providing great refreshment to suit any occasion, and with an excellent depth of flavour.”

Marc Janssen, second generation Master Brewer at the Royal Grolsch brewery in The Netherlands, said: “We believe we have perfected a refreshing, full-bodied 4% pilsner for UK beer lovers, brewed with passion and precision to provide extra depth of flavour. Our double brew process here at Grolsch might take a little longer and cost more to do than some, but we believe it’s worth it – we like to say ‘double brewed for double the flavour’!”


Basically what they meant was it was cheaper to brew it at 4%.
 
Grolsch used to be my all-time favourite beer. The 5% one was amazing.

Now you can only get the 4% pils in shops which is horrid. It's such a shame. I really miss it, but I get the feeling it's never coming back.

Yea, I remember the proper Grolsch, you popped the cap and you'd get that aroma from it, I'm guessing the hops, really nice fresh smell.

Now you pop the cap it smells like a Northampton canal.

It just bugs me, I know there are alternatives out there, but the "bog standard" lagers were not bad, even wife beater as it used to be known, and you can't even call it that anymore, had a really nice flavour.

Now it's horrible.
 
@BUDFORCE and @Martynt74 you can get the 5% variety on Amazon:


Currently £29 for 12, which works out at just under £2.50 per 450ml bottle.

EDIT: ignore, me, just read the reviews, this is actually the 4% advertised as the 5% :mad:

I'd be a bit wary given one of the questions on Amazon:

Q:Why does the ad say 5 percent and the info 4 per cent?

Answer this question


A: The producers of Grolsch a few years ago changed the Abv from 5 % to 4 % as as this affected the resale price of their product due to UK duty increases, however you can ask Amazon to correct their listing, this is the same for the cans of grolsch
default._CR0,0,1024,1024_SX48_.png

mydrinksonline
Seller · 5 days ago


Edit: just seen your edit!
 
Still really enjoy carlsberg export from the tap. Probably the only lager I actually enjoy. Other than corona. But there’s only one bar in my area with that on tap.
 
4% beers are becoming more popular here too, I don't think it's an exclusively British phenomenon.
I actually noticed this last night.
I'm in Copenhagen and bought a 4 pack of Tuborg and Carlsberg both 4.2%

Long time since I drank either and was surprised they were "weaksauce"


My off-licence at home has Swedish/Finnish beers upto 11% if I fancy a can of glue :p
 
4% beers are becoming more popular here too, I don't think it's an exclusively British phenomenon.

You are correct, it's not exclusively British by any stretch.

e.g. in Norway the strongest supermarket beer you'll find is 4.5%. You have to go to a specialist shop to get stronger.

And in Sweden I think it's 3.2%.

Mind you, I went out to a bar here on Sunday and had an awesome 6% beer called Stylus NEIPA by Signature Brew. One of the best I've had for a while.
 
Back
Top Bottom