Carib Beer Review

This is the first part of my multipart review of the beers of the Caribbean. Today we start with one of my favorites, Carib. While you can get Carib in the United States at least in Florida, this is not the same. The beer sold in the United States is brewed in Jacksonville, Florida and is not as strong. We will be discussing the real Carib from Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago.

Since 1950, Carib has been a bona fide thirst-quencher and a symbol for everything quintessentially ‘Caribbean’ – energy and warmth that are briefly tempered by a cool sea breeze. It is a balanced, full-bodied and distinctively smooth lager that takes ‘refreshing’ to another level. The revitalizing appeal of this continental-style brew has made it an instant and permanent favorite and the first choice for any occasion.  Your first impression of Carib is that it tastes very much like Heineken, which Carib Brewery also produces. The alcohol by volume is 5.1 to 5.4%.

Smell – It’s a lager, so the smell will never be surprising. Carib Lager does somehow manage to be a tiny bit different. There’s something citric and tangy about the way this blend of malted barley smells.

Looks – The beer is a lovely golden straw color with a brilliant white three finger head on top. There appears to be plenty of carbonation bubbles to sustain the head but it fades to a ring a little too quickly for my liking. However, for me, it is still the pick of the Caribbean beers I’ve had in terms of appearance.

Taste – Your first impression of Carib is that it tastes very much like Heineken, which Carib Brewery also produces. Carib is an American Adjunct Lager and goes down so smoothly. Maybe it also tastes better when you’re sitting on the beach and the Caribbean.  I think most beer aficionados would not like the beer as they tend to pan lager beers.

Carib is one of the most popular beers in the Caribbean, so you can find it on most islands. When your sitting on the beach or at the beach bar Carib is a great beer.