Rinkuskiai Before and After (8/10)

Before and After is a high-alcohol (12% ABV) lager from Lithuania. It pours into the glass an orangey, cloudy liquid with very little head. The little head it has tends to dissipate quickly. The aroma is pleasant, and slightly yeasty.

The flavor is sweet and malty, with a strong warming alcohol presence. There is little or no hops presence. It has a very thick mouth feel to it, which will make it a brew you will drink slowly. Given the 12% alcohol content, that may be a good thing.

The Before and After label is amusing, implying that the drinker will develop beer goggles. Held upright, the label depicts an old woman with a sour expression. Turned upside down (the "after" view), the image becomes a beautiful young woman with a bow in her hair.

I like this beer. It has a lot going for it. It has a sweet, non-hoppy flavor. Its high ABV makes it a beer you'll tend to savor slowly. And the price tag is quite reasonable (I paid $2.49 for the 1 pint, 0.9 fluid ounce bottle reviewed here). It isn't a beer I would drink every day, but it is one I drink perhaps monthly.

Apparently, my taste varies quit a bit from the major beer review sites like Beer Advocate, at least on this brew. Most rate it low, claiming it has little flavor and aroma.

I've found this beer pretty consistently at The Andersons General Store, but haven't noticed it elsewhere.

ABV: 12%
IBU: unknown
My rating: 8/10