This is the new orange label "95% malt" Olympia. I do not know for sure if this represents only a change in the packaging or is in fact a change in the recipe.
This beer pours honey golden in color with three-quarters inch of thick foamy head that leaves very light lacing down the glass. The aroma is fresh grain, a bit metallic, and a touch of zesty hops and lager funk. The flavor is more intense than expected in this "level" of beer. The taste is malt grain and the same slight touch of zesty hops and lager funk. There is no off-putting sweetness or green apple flavors common in this style. For a "cheap" American adjunct lager, this is pretty good.
2016 and they are back to the classic can, which I prefer:
I apologize. You’re not an idiot. I was in a bad mood or something. Thanks you for your efforts and good work. I think I'm just really devastated as Olympia was my favorite cheap beer and now it's gone.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear it is no longer in your area. I think back in the 1970's it probably had national distribution, but now it only appears to be available in only a handful of states, mostly in the Northwest and some in the Midwest. I got this Olympia in St. Paul, Minnesota. Also, if you check on www.beeradvocate.com, you will see they list this beer as an American adjunct lager, as it is less than 5% alcohol. I have a recent post called Best "Cheap" Beers, see if any of those can become your new go-to cheap beer.
ReplyDeleteActually the Tumwater brewery closed in 2003. By the way I just saw this new labeling in a small market in Portland Or. Thought it was some new malt liquor.
ReplyDeleteThe 1993 closing of the Tumwater plant was based on the book Great American Beer: 50 Brands that Shaped the 20th Century, by Christopher O' Hara. I have noticed multiple instances where the dates in the book don't match dates from other sources about when certain breweries were in operation, but the differential is usually only about one year, not ten.
ReplyDeleteThe book could be referring to when Miller bought the brewery. They produced beer until 2003 when all brewing shut down. Building is still there. the brewing equipment went to China.
ReplyDeleteWe are getting this here in central Wyoming. Good review and pretty much echoes my thoughts of this beer. I think it has to be a new formula. If memory serves, the previous Olympia in the silver cans reminded me of a slightly heavier version of PBR. This Olympia is surprisingly flavorful and malty for such a cheap beer. I might be so bold as to say it edges up to some 'craft' beers costing $2 -$3 more per sixer. A real bargain, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteMore I drink it the more I taste the difference from the previous Oly's.Your right WyoDan It does taste like some of the micros that are out there.
ReplyDeleteI drank some Oly on tap at H2O in Anacortes WA recently. It was more orange-ish in color and tastier than the more *artesian* watery golden colored Oly in the can and bottle I grew up on. I haven't drank a bottled or canned Oly in a long time. Sounds like the beer in them is different too.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to find a six pack (or more) of Olympia Beer for my brother's birthday. Our father drank it way back when and he has been trying to find it for a long time. It would be a real warming gift for him.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Cobles, you can check their website to see if any is available by you. It is not available in every state. I got mine in Minnesota.
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