This weekend saw the Eurovision Song Contest on the telly.   So what's that got to do with beer?   Well, I got a beer each from loads of different European countries and had a taste test with some friends!

Due to the actual song finalists not being announced until very close to the final and the fact that it would be very difficult to get a beer from every country, I selected 28 beers from 20-odd countries.   Many countries in Europe do generic fizzy lager, so I've invented some countries to get the beer quality up (Bavaria for example has split from Germanyⁱ & is now a country, Madeira is now a country as I just happened to find a beer from there).

The taste test was on Saturday in Milton Keynesⁱ and the tasters were Dave (D), Andrew (A) and Matt (M).

The beers were;

Belgiumⁱ: Cantillon Grand Cru Bruocsella.    Not too sour, certainly oaky and refreshing.    The other tasters didn't like it at all which brought the average score right down.    Scores D:8 A:0 M:3 = 11

England: O'Hanlons Yellow Hammer.   A soft, mellow bitter with some vanilla flavour.   Scores D:7 A:5 M:7 = 19

Bavaria: Rothaus Tannen Zapfle.   A traditional style lager with good bitterness levels & a subtle pine resin taste.   Scores D:8 A:5 M:6 =19

Germanyⁱ: Hovels Bitterbier.   It tastes like the Germans have made an English bitter in the traditional lager style.   Good bitterness levels in this clean-tasting chestnut coloured beer. Scores D:7 A:6 M:7 =20

Bosnia & Hertz: Nektar.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:2 A:2 M:2 = 6

Corsica: Colomba.   A reasonable stab at a white beer style lager.   Unscored.

Cyprus: Keo.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:4 A:4 M:4 = 12

Czech Republicⁱ: Bohemia Regent Premium.   Not drunk.

Denmark: Carlsberg Elephant Beer.   Strong alcohol taste in this otherwise ordinary lager.   Scores D:4 A:3 M:2 = 9

Finland: Lapin Kulta.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:3 A:6 M:5 = 14

France: Trois Monts.   Strong alcohol taste with a vanilla mellowness.   Scores D:6 A:5 M:4 = 15

Greece: Mythos Lagerⁱ.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:3 A:3 M:3 = 9   Marathon Greek Lager.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:3 A:4 M:4 = 11

Ireland: Carlow Brewing Co Molings.   Malty Caramel, but some cooked flavour.  Scores D:6 A:6 M:6 = 18

Italy: Peroni Red.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:4 A:2 M:3 = 9   Birra Morena.   Lighter, more delicate generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:4 A:5 M:4 = 13

Madeira: Coral.   Scores D:3 A:3 M:3 = 9

Netherlands: La Trappe Blonde.   Notes not kept.  Scores D:5 A:5 M:6 = 16

Poland: Warka.   Grainy, rough typical Polish lager.   Scores D:3 A:2 M:4 = 9

Portugal: Superbock Green (lemon flavoured beer).   Tastes like a soft drink or lemon washing up liquid in a Fosters lager.   Scores D:2 A:0 M:2 = 4

Russia: Zhiguliovskoye.   Grainy, typical East European lager.   Good scrabble hand.   Scores D:2 A:4 M:5 = 11

Spain: Mahou Lager.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:4 A:4 M:4 = 12   Alhambra.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:3 A:4 M:4 = 11

Sweden: Crocodile.   Generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:4 A:2 M:3 = 9

Ukraine: Etalon Weissbier.   Fresh, citrussy, wheaty German-style weissebier.   Scores D:7 A:6 M:8 = 21

Turkey: Efes.   A little oily, cloying taste.   Otherwise generic Eurofizz.   Scores D:4 A:3 M:5 = 11

Scotlandⁱ: Schiehallion.   Light cross-over beer for lager drinkers.   Extremely pale ale with floral hop character.   Scores D:7 A:4 M:6 = 17