It's no secret to my readers out there that I am an unabashed nerd about two main things in my life. The first and perhaps most obvious evidence of my nerdiness is the mere existence of 365brews.com. Some of you out there may be surprised to discover that my dorky infatuation with beer pales in comparison to my ultra-nerdy,embarrasingly pathetic obsession with the beautiful game; football (soccer for you noobs out there). Other than the usual factors of family, friends and employment, no one thing dictates the course of my life the way that soccer does. I regularly wake up before the crack of dawn in the hazy regret of a hangover to watch a football match happening halfway around the world. I've travelled to other continents for the sole purpose of attending a soccer game(without purchasing tickets beforehand). I've even gone so far as to get the crest of my team Liverpool F.C. tattooed on the back of my left leg. Put quite simply, I am crazy about football. To be more specific, I am fanatcial supporter of what is in my opinion the greatest football team in the history of the game, Liverpool F.C.
My devotion to the famous Reds from Merseyside warrants a blog unto itself, but since this blog is focused on my other addiction, I will try my absolute hardest to stick to the beer. For me, it's going to be a lot harder tonight than it might sound, because I'm drink Carlsberg lager. One of the realities of professional sports in the modern world is that money dictates most aspects of the game, and soccer is no exception. Money earned from advertising is an easy and effective way for franchises to gain additional revenue, and soccer is no exception. In fact, football leagues around the world have gone above and beyond American sports in regard to advertising, going so far as to plaster an advertisement across the chest of the team jersey.
For the last sixteen years, Carlsberg has been the shirt sponsor of my beloved Liverpool F.C.. Although the link between Liverpool and Carlsberg is strictly based on business, Carlsberg has earned a soft spot in my heart simply for their affiliation with the mighty Reds. The trademark logo of Carlsberg is etched into my mind with every memorable moment that I've ever witnessed as a fan of Liverpool F.C. . As such, I can admit that I am more than a little bit biased when it comes of Carlsberg, but I will try my best to give the most thoughtful and impartial assessment to this lager as is humanly possible for me.
Carlsberg hails from the land of Hans Christian Andersen, Hamlet, vikings and Legos; yes, I'm refering to none other than Denmark. Carlsberg lager is one of the biggest exports that Denmark has to offer, and is enjoyed in some of the farthest corners of the globe as a result. Billed by it's own marketing campaign as "probably the best beer in the world", Carlsberg is a beer with a very steady foothold in the European market and gaining serious ground as a respectable import here in the states. The Carlsberg Group owns several smaller brands around the world and brews a number of beers under the Carlsberg name, but usually when you order a Carlsberg at the bar you're going to get their classic German style pilsner. Carlsberg pours a pale golden yellow into the glass, with an adequate head that doesn't stick around for very long. There is a tendency for macrobrews like Carlsberg to sacrifice a bit of qaulity in favor of producing larger quantities of lager at lower prices, and you can tell in the taste of this beer. It's not an unpleasant beer at all, but there's just not much to it. It's a very drinkable beer and the average beer lover could easily polish off a bunch of these bad boys in a single night, but they probably won't remember much about it the next day. I would suggest ordering or not ordering a Carlsberg based on whatever mood you happen to be in at the time of purchase. If you want a beer that you're really looking to savor or enjoy, don't go with the Carlsberg. However, if you want a solid beer that you can stick with all night and still have a great time, this one's not a bad choice. Every time I wear one of my many Liverpool jerseys, I'm essentially walking around like an human advertisement for Carlsberg lager, but it's not the worst beer to be shilling. Thank God Liverpool's not sponsored by an inferior lager like Chang Beer or something like that. (For those of you who are lost on this reference, google "Liverpool Everton Rivalry" and get educated).
Skaal!
Ian
http://www.carlsberg.com/
P.S. YNWA to all the other Kopites and Scousers out there reading this!
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