MID-STRENGTH THAT STACKS UP

With the year seemingly transitioning directly to summer from winter, Hugh the Neighbour and I thought it timely to get a head start on the lagers and pilsners that make life bearable on a hot day.

Not only that but in the spirit of getting into shape for the swimming season, we thought we might try a mid-strength beer.

Which is why last Sunday we tucked into a six-pack of Heineken 3, which is its version of a premium light lager.

In the words of the blurb from the brewer: “Heineken 3 is a lower-calorie, lower-carb, full-flavoured, mid-strength lager. Smooth, refreshing and perfectly balanced, it’s unmistakably Heineken from the very first sip.”

Now, for HTN and me, as confirmed full-strength beer drinkers, we have read of these promises from companies and, to be perfectly honest, often found them to be a bit of a stretch of the truth.

In this case though, Heineken has actually delivered – 3 is a mid-strength that tastes remarkably like its full-freight sibling.

It has a similar taste and mouthfeel, including that slight sweetness that I always associate with this phenomenally successful product of the Netherlands and their other brands like Sol, Amstel, Birra Moretti and Tiger.

Both Hugh and I enjoyed drinking it as it is full-flavoured, crisp and clean, and well-suited to quenching a thirst after mowing the lawn or other domestic duties, with the added bonus of the 3.3 per cent ABV not knocking you around.

Neither of us are going to be swapping dark and strong beers for this one any time soon but that is equally true for all lagers.