For you world travelers: (Question about Taiwan beer)

[MattB]

The wife and I are leaving for Taiwan this weekend. I plan to sample some of the local and regional beers. I like smooth, golden lagers... my favorite beer is Dos Equis. I can tolerate domestic beers like Bud Lite, Coors Lite if my Dos Equis isn't available, and rather like the taste of MGD, though I've boycotted them for years for political reasons. I hate dark beers and ales.
Is anyone familiar enough with the regional and local beers to know what I should ask for in a smooth golden lager? I have drank Tsing Tao, a Chinese beer, and it's not bad. I like Sapporo, too, but that's a Japanese brew.
My wife speaks the language, but she isn't a drinker, so she has no idea what I'm after.

[bille]

So what did you end up drinking? What were the local offerings?

fwiw, pale golden lager took the world over quickly after it hit the market some 150? years ago. Sure things have changed a lot but pale lager beer is certainly most people's go-to and is widely available almost anywhere you intend to travel.

[MattB]

I found the Gold Medal Taiwan Beer ("Taiwan Pijiu"- closest English translation) to be the best Taiwan had to offer. Smooth, citrusy golden lager, it was pretty tasty, and plenty strong.

[MattB]

The Gold Medal Taiwan Beer seems even better by the tap, and stronger:

[MattB]

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/f...r-img_1098.jpg

[MattB]

Something I've never seen before outside of Taiwan is this popular Pineapple beer:
The taste is sweet and pleasant, (Sort of reminds me more of wine coolers) but really isn't my cup of tea when I want a beer.

[MattB]

Mango beer comes from the same brewer; again, tasty, but not really "beer" to me.

[MattB]

There was this generic-looking "Fruit Beer" that I didn't taste (Pretty much not interested in this sort of "fruity" beer by that time)

[MattB]

I saw this Chinese Busch, and snapped a shot, but didn't try it. Figured it was probably the same or pretty similar, since its from the original brewer.

[MattB]

Then there was this generic Seven Eleven beer, "The Beer," which I wasn't interested in trying... pretty happy with the Gold Medal by that point anyway...

[MattB]

I snapped this shot of the convenience store assortment for the hell of it. (BTW, in Taipei, there's literally a Seven Eleven every block or so, and between those, there's a "Hi Life" or "Family Convenience Store" in between.

[bille]

Thanks for posting the pics, it's neat to see the displays/offerings in other countries. It's too late now but next time you find yourself wondering what the local beers may be, which ones are better, or even where to buy them, check out Beer Advocate or Rate Beer. More times than not you will find reviews of not only the beers but the stores that sell them as well. Do keep in mind the ratings of the beers are very subjective (especially online :gasp: big shocker there!) Of course if there are 10 people that say a particular beer sucks don't be surprised when you try it and it sucks.

Cheers!