Lagerboy Speaks – Coral

Lagerboy has stated on these pages previously that he enjoys tackling something seen as ‘The beer of…’, just to get a full sense of what the locals sit down to (or stand up for, or whatever) on a night out in their local bars. So it was with Estrella Damm, Zagorka and Lapin Kulta – and so it is too with Coral (5.3%) – or Coral Branca Lager to give it the full title – the Beer of Madeira.

Madeira is a small rocky archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic owned by Portugal. First and foremost it’s known for wine, as the healthy temperatures and year-round climate make the two inhabited islands (Madeira and Porto Santo) ideal terroir. But it’s good to see some grain amongst the grape, as Empresa de Cervejas da Madeira began brewing on the island in 1969. Apart from the lager they produce a 5.1% stout (Coral Tónica), and non-alcoholic versions of both.

The first impressions are good – a long-lasting deep head and a little carbonation. The colour is a golden pale, similar to other slightly strong lagers (as Coral nudges over the 5% mark). Sadly, that’s the peak though, as the nose is straw and nothing but. The taste is thin and watery with more straw and very little hops. A glance at the ingredients reveals… Malt, Grain, Hops, Antioxidant (E300), Stabiliser (E405). Oh dear. Basic to say the least, it’s another to file under ‘like Miller Genuine Draft only weaker’ category and to leave well alone.