Svyturys Ekstra - Lithuania

Svyturys Ekstra is an uncomplicated unpasteurised draught beer from Lithuania. It's not as tasty as I was expecting but nevertheless makes it to 6 in our rating. Svyturys is quite a heavy beer although it isn't very strong or overpowering in flavour.

As far as most Eastern European beers go Svyturys is rather bland and uninviting compared to its Polish compatriots. Svyturys is certainly not my favourite Baltic beverage. Although, ten years ago Švyturio Ekstra beer received the Silver award in the Dortmunder/European Export category at the World Beer Cup, while it went on to win the Gold medal in the Dortmunder beer category at the World Beer Championship (USA) in 2001.

• Rating: 5.5
• 5.2% abv
• Like it, try this: Zywiec (Poland)
• For more information on Svyturys Ekstra go to http://www.svyturys.lt You may want to use Google Translate!
• Ingredients: Water, barley, malt, rice, hops, yeast

Quilmes - Argentina

Well it's not hard to figure out what country Quilmes comes from. It has Argentina written all over it in terms of the national colours - blue and white - and it's claim to be Argentina's favourite beer. Cervecería y maltería Quilmes is an Argentine Brewery founded in 1888 in Quilmes, Buenos Aires. Quilmes sponsors the Argentinian football side and is currently the most popular beer in Argentina with 75% market share in the local beer market.

• Rating: 6
• 4.9% abv
• Like it, try this: Brahma (Brazil)
• For more information on Quilmes go to http://www.cerveceriaymalteriaquilmes.com/

Blue Moon - US

Once in a blue moon a beer recommends an orange-slice garnish. Well that's exactly what the Blue Moon Brewing Company advises us to do with its Blue Moon beer. Without it Blue Moon is a little bland but nevertheless tasty.

* Rating: 6.5
* 5.4% abv
* Like it, try this: Sierra Nevada (US)
* For more information on Blue Moon go to http://www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com/ (one of the slowest websites on Earth!)

Leffe Blond - Belgium

Before you taste Leffe smell it! It will lift your senses. The tasting follows the rich spicy aroma in a subtle and consistent manner. It's distinctive, lightly spiced taste is rapturing. The biere blonde has a golden hue and a large creamy head. It is a reasonably strong ale with a 6.6% abv. I would recommend dark chocolate as an ideal food pairing. It is an excellent aperitif before any good meal. You will still be thinking about the wonderful aftertaste of Leffe by the time you finished your starter!

Leffe is one of the most popular Belgian abbey beers and it certainly justifies its pervasiveness. The other members of the Leffe family are Leffe Triple, a fresh golden ale with hints of lemon and vanilla (8.4% vol), and Leffe Radieuse, a yellow brown ale with a strong fruity taste and a rich bouquet (8.2% vol).

* Rating: 8.5
* 6.6% abv
* Like it, try this: Pauwel Kwak
* For more information on Leffe Blond go to http://www.leffe.com/en/beer/leffe-blond