Family Pale Lager Style North American Lager
Country Jamaica ABV 4.7%
Producer Diageo
Price $ Packaging 12oz/355ml, 24oz/710ml bottle; 16.4oz/485ml can
Characteristics Refreshing

Overview Red Stripe Lager—likely the only Jamaican beer you’ve ever heard of—was first brewed in 1928, but only achieved significant popularity in the US in the last two decades, after Guinness purchased the brand.

Flavors and aromas Our first bottle of Red Stripe showed butterscotch in the nose—a serious flaw in a pale lager—but the second was clear of it. What both bottles were also clear of was much in the way of other flavors. Tasters identified subtle esters, a slightly sweet palate, and a total lack of hop character. This isn’t exactly watery, and might qualify as refreshing in the right circumstances, but there’s very little in the way of character or flavor.