Full Review

Bia Saigon

Bia Saigon
Lager

Category: Adjunct Lager

Date Tasted:
Country: Vietnam
Alcohol: 4.3%
93 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional

Bia Saigon
Lager

Category: Adjunct Lager

Date Tasted:
Country: Vietnam
Alcohol: 4.3%
Golden yellow color. Aromas and flavors of fresh grains in plastic wrap, orange oil, lemon grass, and thai wok fried noodles with a satiny, bright, spritzy, dry light-to-medium body and a polished, stimulating, brisk finish with overtones of candy corn or cream ale, pickled ginger and citrus, and lemon meringue. Light and easy drinking yet elegant; would pair well with spicy and complex dishes.

Tasting Info

Beer Glass Style: Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: fresh grains in plastic wrap, orange oil, lemon grass, and thai wok fried noodles
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with overtones of candy corn or cream ale, pickled ginger and citrus, and lemon meringue
Bitterness Bitterness: Low
Enjoy Enjoy: on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Chicken Piccata, Steak Fajitas, Brie
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Light and easy drinking yet elegant; would pair well with spicy and complex dishes.

The Producer

Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corporation (SABECO)

The Producer

Their Portfolio

Adjunct Lager

Beer Glass Mug Gold.jpg
Serve in a Mug
Adjunct lagers, arguably the world's most popular beer style based on production volume, is a variation of the pale lager or pilsner styles where corn, rice, or other non-barley grains are added to the mash bill. This style was popularized after Prohibition and generally thought to have been the result of cost saving and rationing measures by lager breweries during World War 2. After the war, tastes apparently changed and the style persisted; it's sometimes referred to as 'macro' lager.

Adjunct lagers are generally light-bodied with a light hop impression and a clean, crisp malt character. Quality, from a flavor point of view, is very variable within this style and many cheaper examples use a higher proportion of non-malt additives. Alcohol content is typically between 3.5-5% ABV, with the upper end of the range being preferable if one is to get a true lager mouthfeel.

There are numerous examples from all countries around the world including: Budweiser, Miller High Life, Modelo, Tsingtao, Quilmes, and even some craft examples using the monikers of 'Classic American' and 'Mexican Lager' like Capitol Brewery's Capitol 1900.