My virtual brew trek has landed me in San Jose, Costa Rica at Cerveceria  Costa Rica for an ice cold Imperial.  The simple red and yellow label depicts an angry Phoenix-like raptor.

Appearance: using my trusty Kirin glass for this one.  Wow, this is one of the thinnest beers I have ever poured.  It is only a yellow tinged watery color with minimal bubbling action and no head.   I bet it has just about the same amount of calories as a light beer but they don’t specify it on the label.  I actually read that the FDA wants to put nutritional content labels on beer soon.  I have witnessed this on a bottle of wine named Quady Electra.

Smell: faint, husky, musty hops and cooked vegetables. 

Taste: very light bodied.  Almost no malt sweetness nor hop bitterness.  Somehow it is all balanced and very smooth drinking as a consequence.  This is fine to sip on a hot day, no need to pair with anything.  I’m a little curious what the calorie content is.

This is one of those beers that you buy a 6 pack of for a day at the beach.  Just chill under your umbrella and relax.  I don’t know what the availability is.  I found this one at the ABC on Archer road in Gainesville but I am sure it can get ordered by the manager/beer person from the local vendor anywhere in Florida.

Beer blogger Adam Shugan is the store manager of our Silver Springs store in Ocala.