Castello Premium Beer

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Castello Premium Beer
Birra Castello S.PA.
Via E. Fermi
S. Giorgio di Nogaro (UD) Italy
Est. 1991
www.birracastello.it

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden straw color.
Dry, grainy, sweet smell. Some bright hops. Biscuit smell.
White foamy two finger head.
Spotty lacing on the glass.
Grassy flavor with slight sweetness.
Medium carbonation.
Light, clean taste. Dry and refreshing.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Hey Abbott! No, it's not really Costello.  It's Castello from the Italian word for Castle. Just as depicted on the label. We have here a straight forward euro-lager that is similar to many, save for a bit of sweetness in the finish.  A good beer to pair up with on a hot day, after chores or just out fishing.

I discovered this in a local (authentic) Italian restaurant, aptly named "Bada-Bing!" I say authentic because the proprietor of said restaurant was a dead ringer for Tony Soprano!  The restaurant is a true family affair where they all work in the kitchen and dining room to bring some of the most mouth watering Italian cuisine you've ever tried. Everyone that enters is treated like they are part of the family.

Could have had a glass of Chianti or some Merlot with dinner this evening, but fuhgeddaboudit.  When I spied the Castello, I saw one more soldier to reap.  The fact that it was an Italian beer...well let's just say that, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Not a great or memorable beer, but very enjoyable with my Chicken Cacciatore.  Hey, you could do a lot worse...

Salute'!

Birra Moretti - La Rossa

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Birra Moretti - La Rossa
Heineken Italia SpA.
Udine, Italy
Est. 1859
www.birramoretti.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2

Postmortem Brew Review
The color of root beer.
Caramel tan head that quickly disappears.
Raw malty smell with slight hops.
Medium carbonation.
Medium malt taste and dry finish.
Mild sweet and slightly dry tasting.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Though now part of the Heineken family of beers, Birra Moretti has been around a long time. Older than my grim self by nearly 100 years, in fact.  Nevertheless, I can recall trips to the Italian food markets as a wee little reaper, and seeing this beer stocked alongside the Pabst and Bud. Way, way, back in the day, my friends.

On an odd note: Hand me a fedora and I could be the unpleasant old man with the mustache in their advertising.

So to pay respect to my mom's side of the family on this Father's Day, I tried the darker of the two Moretti's, the La Rossa. Grandpa 'nonno' Giovanni would have exclaimed, "...sono buoni!"

Look we all know that good food comes from Italy.  We all know that good wine comes from Italy.  So it should stand to reason that you will find good beer coming from Italy as well. 

Ciao bella!

Peroni Nastro Azzurro

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Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Birra Peroni Internazionale
via R. Birolli, 8
Roma, Italy
Est. 1846
www.peroniitaly.com/us

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.7% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear golden yellow.
Grainy malt with trace hops scent.
Fluffy white head, lacing throughout the glass.
Light bodied and light mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Very nice and neat beer from a country that you'd more associate with a good wine. It's flavorful and refreshing. A clean and crisp euro-lager that is as much at home with a good Italian dish as any Chianti.