So why doesn't San Miguel taste the same over here??

[Devils Advocate]

Treated myself to a box (or 2) to offset the dissapointment of not being able to get over there at present.....picked 48 bottles up at Costco yesterday .

Yuk, nothing like ...........is it all in the mind or is it really that different a product the stuff being sold here in the UK?

Very digruntled unhappy bunny after that

[frank]

A result of the take over of Scottish and Newcastle Brewing, Carlsberg now control the San Miguel brand in the United Kingdom.

I think it's brewed in Edinburgh, and although it should be the same recipe, it can seem different. I think it is the atmosphere as much as anything, in the days when wine was so much cheaper in Spain and we used to bring some bottles back, it never seemed the same at home. Bit like drinking Guiness in Spain, sitting in 40 degrees in Sevilla, it´s not quite the same, is it_ I think a lot of "foreign" beers, lagers etc sold in UK are brewed here under licence.

Also found this, not sure how true it is.

I recently stocked up for Christmas as the local Tesco with two twelve can packs. When I poured the first can last night I though it tasted decidedly odd. It was fizzy, bland and left a somewhat sour aftertaste in the mouth. The can label superficially looked the same – but wait, now I can read the dreaded words “Brewed in the UK. HP Bulmer, Hereford”. It is also brewed to 5%ABV.

[Bongtrees]

Treated myself to a box (or 2) to offset the dissapointment of not being able to get over there at present.....picked 48 bottles up at Costco yesterday .
Yuk, nothing like ...........is it all in the mind or is it really that different a product the stuff being sold here in the UK?(

It is the water causing the problem.

[Campo Steve]

A well known wine merchant in UK used to sell Steinlager, a top New Zealand beer. They stopped selling it when it started being brewed it under licence in UK, rather that importing it. The taste had changed and was no longer a true NZ beer.

I also believe it is the different water that makes the difference.

[Devils Advocate]

Frank, I'd a feeling before I bought it that it would not be made at the factory near Malaga airport as you say but thought it may have been indistinguishable as I'd expected............having said that the atmosphere is totally different to the worry free days in Spain so that may have a bearing on it too.

Bongtees, what do you mean about the water?...........it actually did taste watered down, very weak.

Funnily enough my favourite beer I pick up there is the Italian Nastro Azzuro, I think it's the most refreshing beer I've ever had from a bottle.......................but I wonder if I tasted the real thing in Italy would that then taste crap too?

[Devils Advocate]

Ahhh Steve, different water maybe thats what the previous poster meant......could well be I suppose

[frank]

There used to be something like the "Burton Process" where beers that used to be brewed in Burton on Trent and then brewed elsewhere would all taste the same. I think it was basically that the water was treated to mimic that from Burton. So not sure if a similar process is used for other beers and lagers, as water will make a huge difference in taste. Just looked and found this,

Throughout the world other brewers have to artificially 'Burtonise' their brewing water in order to compensate for the misfortune of not being based in Burton-upon-Trent, the home of British Brewing.

[fincalospinos]

I recently stocked up for Christmas as the local Tesco with two twelve can packs. When I poured the first can last night I though it tasted decidedly odd. It was fizzy, bland and left a somewhat sour aftertaste in the mouth. The can label superficially looked the same – but wait, now I can read the dreaded words “Brewed in the UK. HP Bulmer, Hereford”. It is also brewed to 5%ABV

It has indeed been distributed in the UK by Bulmers in Hereford for a number of years, and is brewed in a couple of locations.

I owned a small brewery for a number of years and can confirm that both water and yeast can alter the taste of a beer. We copied a recipe from another small brewer, using barley malt and hops from the same supplier, but because our water was different and we had our own yeast, the flavour was totaly unique.

[patchdog]

Even coke can taste different in different countries .....because of the local water used.

[Jool]

It definitely IS the water that makes it taste different......

[Devils Advocate]

Strange isn't it? I believe the water theories offered here, yet I can't tell the difference in taste between a bottle of Lanjeron and a bottle of Buxton spring mineral waters

[frank]

, yet I can't tell the difference in taste between a bottle of Lanjeron and a bottle of Buxton spring mineral waters

I bet you couldn't tell Stork from butter!

[Devils Advocate]

A bit deep wasn't it Frank?

[peteroldracer]

If you have ever drunk Guinness in Dublin you will never truly enjoy a pint of the black stuff made anywhere else!

[markwilding]

I agree it's the water

[concorde]

I like gin & tonic, in Spain they usually give you bottles of Schweppes or I buy cans, however here in the U.K. I can only find the large plastic bottles of the stuff or tiny cans.

Yes, it definitely tastes different in Spain, possibly the ice cubes

[Paula]

Do guys really like Spanish beer, my OH complains that it is gnats something or other

[julian]

yes, guys like spanish beer

[Campo Steve]

Can't beat a pint of Hall and Woodhouse's Fursty Ferret.

However, Spanish beer is probably more refreshing in the summer.

[patchdog]

Do guys really like Spanish beer, my OH complains that it is gnats something or other

Naw the beers crap,but the ladies, awh the ladies