Egyptian Beer-The Complete List

I will spare you the long introduction on the history of Egyptian beer. History buffs can click here. This post is all business. Eight people vs. twelve brews and here are the findings...

Beer: Castelo "Hard"
ABV: 8%
Size: 500ml 
Company: Al Masria Co.


The Castelo family has three offsprings: GREEN, BLUE, and RED. I've had GREEN (5% alc/vol-though it was not tasted at this gathering). The BLUE is nicknamed "hard" as printed on the label-who said there wasn't truth in advertising? Castelo only recently started appearing in the ghetto liquor shops. This 8% monster claims "lager" but I would vote more along the lines of a malt liquor in training. I suppose after a night of pounding down a few, consider yourself lucky if you don't wake up blind.
 
What was said:
Jesus!
Skunk part II
Bottle of Old Spice
Bad as in running over a skunk and putting its butt in the beer.

Beer: Meister Max
ABV: 8%
Size: 330ml
Company: Al Ahram Beverages Co. Subsidiary of Heineken International

By far the most popular can littered on any given beach in Alex; it's hot and your itching for a quick buzz so you grab yourself cold Meister in a paper bag. For fans of a light malt liquor.
 
What was said:
I’d buy this!
Going fishing
A good non-high falutin’ beer
a blue collar beer
It sits bad
It’s not good enough to be a stella

Beer: Gold Berg
ABV: 10%
Size 500ml
 Company: Al Sherka Al Masneya al alameni Lmostalzamot Al Siaha wa Al Mashrobat (really!).


Punishing desperate beer drinkers since 1944 is what the label should read. Someone bought a bottle of Castelo and took a couple of swigs then filled it with rubbing alcohol. I don't think anyone in the group took more than one sip. The punch line is the Jewish name.  


What was said:
Mickey’s but not as good
Medicine-y
Taste like rubbing alcohol
Sweet and horrible
Bad, bad after taste
An after taste like an annoying guest that doesn’t want to leave... like herpes.
Pungent
Fuzzy
Gives you the worst burps

Beer: Sakara King
ABV: 10%
Size: 500ml
Company: Al Ahram Beverages Co.


The name Saqqara (Sakara) is derived from the area home to several step pyramids-about a 20-minute drive from the more famous ones. The label reads 100% brewed without any added alcohol and after one wiff you know you're in for a long night with this beast.


What was said: 
Smells stale... like penny pitchers.
It’s only purpose is to get you drunk
Chemical
Sweet but bad
Better than Gold Burg
Taste like skunk
Strong alcohol smell
flat
Makes my tongue go “Blah” and the roof of my mouth go numb.

Beer: Luxor XXX
ABV: 10%
Size: 500ml
Company: El Gouna Beverages Co.


In keeping up with the Joneses, Luxor pumps out their 10% rival. I'm sure some of you are thinking that Egyptian beers are not only large but pack a lot of alcohol. I think it was Ana who pulled out a regular 12 oz can from the fridge and thought it was small, and someone had to remind her that it's the normal size. The goal for the average drinker in Egypt is to get wasted; this is the only rational for the size and ABV. The triple X is by far the most drinkable of the bunch.  


What was said:
 NC 17
Not a fishing beer... unless you want to drown.
Not bad after the last beer... but that’s not saying much.
It reminds me of the last guest that wouldn’t leave... bad after taste.
Wine like quality
Sweet and fruity
The burps are not bad after this one

Beer: Heineken
ABV: 5%
Size: 330ml
Company: Al Ahram Beverages Co. Subsidiary of Heineken International

I know, you're thinking that Heineken isn't an Egyptian Beer, but it is...at least the Egyptians made it that way. Fits like an old glove. I wouldn't offend the party guest by turning one down, but I won't go out and buy it unless you're lucky enough to find one on tap. If you find tap beer anywhere in Egypt get yourself a glass and go buy a lottery ticket.  


What was said:
Dirty... but a fishing beer
Sweeter than Stella
A little skunky
It’s drinkable
I would actually drink this
I would take this over to a friends

Beer: Luxor Classic
ABV: 10%
Size: 500ml
Company: El Gouna Beverages Co.

The can says it all "Safari Size" take yourself a six pack the next time you go look for the Lion King. A very basic but consistent lager that would go well at a frat party...it's a beer. Slightly better than Stella but overall forgettable.

What was said:
Tasteless... dirty.
I’d finish it.
Like cheap beer from a bottle
Nice little after taste
Bad after burp!

Beer: Luxor Weizen (Hefe WeiBbier)
ABV: 5%
Size: 500ml
Company: El Gouna Beverages Co.

Last year I had the good fortune to run across a magazine that had an ad for the liquor store Cheers. One of the items on their menu was a Hefeweizen Beer and that got me a little excited. Word has it that the beer is brewed by Germans, it might be just a myth. I took one sip and was by far the best beer in Egypt. A constant in my fridge. We would bring up cases from Cairo before Cheers opened a store in Alex. After the revolution, production was suspended and we went and bought out any store that had "Luxor White" as it called in the shops. The company called me when the new batch was made and drove up the first 12 cases to our school. Last summer Ana and I tried several Hefeweizens in Germany and Luxor Weizen can stand on its' own.

What was said:
Good!
Great!
Not bad!
Great in Comparison
It’s the best beer in Egypt
The best beer of the night
Smells like bacon

Beer: Sakara Gold

ABV: 4%

Size: 500ml

Company: Al Ahram Beverages Co. Subsidiary of Heineken International

Egypt’s answer to Coors Light. If you need a light beverage on a warm day or something in your hand to be polite at the boss's party, Sakara might do the trick. The company wants to assure the customer they are drinking “quality beer” by mentioning no less than four times on the can. The power of suggestion does wonders.  

What was said:

 Great for fishing trips

Good when cold

Dirty... it taste like a dirty glass.

Flat

bland

Bitter

I feel bloated

Beer: Sphinx Classic

Alcohol: 5%

Size: 500ml 

Company: Al Masria Co.

From the company that brought you the Castelo line. It has tourist written all over it. This lager is loaded with sugar and stinks like a Heineken gone south.

What was said:

Skunk!

Skunk!

The skunk has arrived

No good

Blah!

If Heineken had a XXX

Did it come out of the Sphinx’s ass?

Beer: Stella

ABV: 4.5%

Size: 500ml

Company: Al Ahram Beverages Co. Subsidiary of Heineken International

Authentic Egyptian Enjoyed Since 1897. There it’s been said, actually 4 times on the can. Egypt’s oldest brew and I have to say the blue can is an iconic image in these parts. Although the beer might not take a ribbon for the best lager ever made, it does boast great design qualities. If you make it out this way, do yourself a favor and order a Stella then move on to a Luxor.  

What was said:

This is also a fishing beer... getting drunk in the sun.

It’s dirty but not nauseating

A little skunky

Weak smell

Berries

My burps are bubbly  

Beer: Bob’s Islamic Pale Ale (IPA) Batch no. 6

ABV: 7% 

Size: 500ml
Company: Bob and Ana's Closet

Made three times a year, each batch producing 36-500ml bottles. At times inconsistent, but overall a West Coast style IPA. A little too hoppy for most but I like it.  

What was said:

Smells like lemon

Whoa!

Badassssssss!!!

Hoppy

Excellent!

Grapefruit notes

Beer: The suicide  

ABV: 7%+

Size: A big pitcher

A deadly mixture of all the tasted Egyptian beers-it had to be done.

What was said:

It’s not bad

It’s the skunk but blended

My belly is warming up

Surprisingly decent 

Name: Bubba
Age: Old enough to drink
Race: Daytona 500
Favorite Color: None of your damn business 

Name: Negatron
Age: thirtysomething
Race: Cajun
Favorite Animal: Badger

Name: Red
Age: How old are you?
Race: Viking
Favorite Smurf: Papa

Name: No Neck
Age: Older than you
Race: Wookie
Favorite Bake Potato Topping: Bacon 

Name: The Burp Master
Age: 12
Race: Candy Land
Favorite Food: Sugar



Name: Monkey
Age: My place or yours?
Race: Francophone
Favorite Quote: "Wait, I thought this was going to be a wine tasting"



 Name: DM Fan
Age: Child Bride
Race: Chicana
Favorite Pastime: Kicking cats

Name: Egyptian Driver
Age: Young and wreckless
Race: Trekker
Favorite Song: Whatever the ipod is playing

Cheers makes the Luxor and nice organic wines, they also carry all the items on the Drinkies Menu. 

The limited list and the tasting notes on their wines.

Your Drinkies order arrives by a motorcycle inside a black box. Out of the black box comea a black plastic bag. 45 minutes or less from their store to your house, but it seldom arrives on time.  

Drinkies offerings.

Potential Egyptian beer names;
King Tut
Mummy
Welcome!
Mister
...feel free to add your own in the comment section

A glimpse of Lisbon

Call it an honest mistake or an unprecedented action on my behalf, but I royally made a snafu on planning our winter vacation. Somehow I was under the impression that our last day of school was on Dec 22nd and thus I made reservation to fly out the night of. A week before break an email was sent with the calendar detailing the final week with the last day being DEC 21st. You could hear a pin drop, the earth stood still on its axis, and Sarah Palin could have confessed she was a lesbian atheist democrat. The shock was severe and I wept in silence in the middle of class looking at my computer screen.

When other co-workers asked when we were leaving I regretfully stated "the 22nd" as their eyebrows rose. They were as confused by my systematic error as I was. But all was not lost, our last evening was a joyous one spent with our dear friends.

The following day we hopped on a Cairo bound train and met up with our steady driver Mohammed who safely escorted us to the airport. We checked in our luggage and boarded our uneventful flight to Lisbon. (I won't mention our layover in Madrid where I slid on chicken vomit at 4 am while looking for a row seats to camp out on.)

Hello Lisbon at 830 am. Our taxi driver took us to Pensao Londres where we would joyfully spend most of our nights in Lisbon. Our room was perfect for our needs and the staff helpful and accommodating making sure your stay was a pleasant one. While we waited for our room to get ready we hit the town to enjoy what would be a rare day of full sunshine. We explored the neighborhoods of central Lisbon; Barrio Alto, Chiado, Castelo, Baixa, and Alfama.

Below is our Lisbon experience on 3 different occasions; the beginning, middle, and end. A perfect city to bookend...perhaps one day live.

Rua Augusta Arch leading into central Lisbon.

Tram 28 will take you through the street of Baixa and up the hill through Alfama only to get stuck behind a double parked car picking up their Bolo Rei order or a truck dropping off cases of Super Bock (the local beer). Needless to say it was an easy and inexpensive way to sightsee.

In Mexico/San Diego we have Rosca and in Portugal they have Bolo Rei. Either way this bastard son of the fruitcake is a seasonal loaf topped with dried fruit and nuts. It starts making an appearance around Christmas. Back home the Mexican bakeries (such as Panchitas-our favorite) sell the bread on Three Kings Day (January 6) and each loaf has a baby Jesus or two in it. Typically there are lines out the door while the smart customers pre-order theirs. If your slice has the Baby Jesus traditionally you are obligated to host a party on February 2nd, El Dia de la Candelaria. If you're fan the good news is that in Lisbon and maybe the rest of Portugal you can buy the loaf weeks prior sans the plastic Baby Jesus...though our friend Sandra (you'll learn about her more in our next post) did tell us that the Bolo Rei did once have the toy but a law banning it was passed since people choked on it. I bought us a loaf on Christmas Eve, only to find ants feasting on it the following morning.
    

The narrow streets on Barrio Alto.

Near our room was a park which overlooked the city, castle, and river. 

View of Castelo de Sao Jorge; the Moorish castle overlooking Lisbon.

The park also has a fountain...

...and beer...

...and the tram that takes you down the hill to city center past the cool street art (see the previous post).

A perfect and sensible way to spot if your date partakes in domestic violence. You hit your partner, you get a wrist bracelet.

The view of the 25 de Abril Bridge from our hotel room. The bridge crosses the Tejo River and connects Lisbon with Almada.

Walking around Alfama (home of Fados-a genre of dramatic early 19th century Portuguese music that you either love of hate).

Se Cathedral aka Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa 

 A day time view of the 25 de Abril Bridge from our hotel room, a little bit of San Fran in Lisbon.

View of the tram tracks between Barrio Alto and the city center, a perfect way to get that heart rate going in the morning.

Danish artist Jens Galschiot created several (27) bronze sculptures to bring attention at the hopes of ending homelessness.  Lisbon is hosting a handful of them.

The life sized sculptures are prominently displayed in Rossio (Parca Dom Pedro IV).

Guns of Castelo de Sao Jorge.

Houses right below Castelo de Sao Jorge to get your voyeurism on.

More Castelo de Sao Jorge. The grounds to the castle were impressive and green and filled with cats. There is a wall that circles the grounds with homes and shops hocking food, beverages, and gifts. 

The Gothic vaults of Se Cathedral take on a Christ like face...maybe it is only me that see this.

Sardines in Baixa

Plenty of cans to choose from, if my dad could camp out here he'd just might. 

The boutique shops of Barrio Alto were unique and somewhat pricey, but well worth a glance. This one had electronic guts glued to the wall and painted white like a sprawling city. 

New Years Eve dinner was organized by a Couch Surfer at restaurant/bar in Barrio Alto (Mahjong). The communication between the organizer and the staff was comedy but nobody got hurt so everything turned out just fine.

In addition to bowl after bowl of white rice the meal ended with a plate of a chopped up corn cob, sliced can beets, and a pealed orange...now if someone intelligent could bottle this formula she or he just might be the next Paul Newman.

After dinner the pack moved down the hill to watch fireworks and live music at Praca do Comercio (the square) home to the lovely Rua Augusta Arch and Statue of King Jose I. Note the bottle and the glasses of sangria were taken from (smuggled in Ana's jacket!) the restaurant and properly returned at the end of the evening. Paulo and Ilda (to the right) took everything back, that's how the Portuguese roll.    

A little bit of firework action to ring in the new year.

It was quite the show!

Going to Portugal without going to a Fados show would like Adam without Eve. Our new friends Paulo and Ilda made reservations at the Caldo Verde in Barrio Alto. The evening started with a glass of Porto and appetizers (rustic bread, home-cured olives, presunto (dry-cured ham), and goat cheese). Next up was a bowl of caldo verde (a soup with onions, potato, kale, a hint of garlic and a piece of chorizo). The main course was Bacalhau (dried and salted cod fish) taken with a bottle of red from the Douro region. It was nice to eat a proper establishment once in awhile as Ana and I had most of our dinners on a hotel bed which consisted of fresh bread, olives, presunto, and a bottle of wine. The grapes are excellent here!      

Paulo and Ilda and like others we encountered in Portugal went out of their way to make you feel welcomed. After dinner (well past your bedtime) they drove us out to Belem to show us more of their city. For the most part they didn't know us and it says a lot about people who are willing to share their time with you. 

The Fados we heard were about bullfights, Lisboa, love, and life in general. We got to hear a sampling of four singers. One striking contrast I've seen in countries we have visited compared with the States is the respect and knowledge younger generations have for traditional music. I'm not sure if there is tradional music in America, does Margaritaville count?

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos aka Hieronymites Monastery is from the late Gothic era. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Yes, it was that long (that's what she said!)

Torre de Belem at night. I know I can't really see it either.

If you are blind, you're in luck. Not only do you get a model of Torre of Belem that you can touch, but you get a description in Braille. Now this is an example of a forward thinking and thoughtful society!

Padrao Dos Descobrimentos is a 52 meter swell of crusaders and navigators resting at the bank of the Tejo River (maybe there aren't crusaders but it rhymed nicely). However, there are prominent religious figures in the mix. Paulo said that you can take an elevator to the top and see the navigational map (below).

The view of the map and people. (borrowed image)

Ilda standing on the map.