Tasting Max Special Hop 2010 Beer

Hite Brewery – Max Special Hop 2010

 

 

So after seeing this beer at the grocery store a few times and just glancing at the label, I figured it was some World Cup-themed beer label.  I though it was like Max’s parent beer, Hite, turned their label completely red in support of Korea’s World Cup team and the Red Devils fan contingent.

 

But after seeing a post over at ZenKimchi and the Homebrew Korea forums that this beer is actually a yearly “treat,” I figured I would give it a shot.

 

 

 

Review

 

I’m not sure why I expected this beer to be any different after realizing that it is sold only in the 1.7 L “pitcher” with a plastic screw-top.

 

The label didn’t denote anything “special” about the hops (that I could read in English) other than the fact that they say it’s special. A quick glance at the label shows obvious influence by the World Cup. African fauna and a grasslands landscape is all what you see, even though there is not a single mention of the Cup itself.

 

In the video, you can see me pop open the beer. After I gave it the initial pour, you can see a few edits I made, At this point I attempted to smell and inspect the beer. It looked almost identical to regular Max beer in color. For the most part, it could be described as fizzy yellow beer which bears a closer resemblance to club soda with food coloring.

 

The smell isn’t a bad as it normally is. In fact, it was a bit muted in comparison to the normal scent. The initial taste can be scene on camera near the end of the video.

 

To be frank, it was nothing new. It was watery, lacked any distinct flavor and bored me quickly like most other beers out here. The “hops” were almost nonexistent in taste. It may have had a hint of a flowery taste to it which normal Max may not have, but I didn’t have an original for a side-by-side comparison.  The unexciting flavor of Korean lagers persists even in their “special” beers.

 

Verdict: C

If I would have had this beer in the U.S. it would have garnered a much lower score.  But because this is Korea, and choice is severely limited, I’m not going to tear it completely apart. This isn’t like Bud Light Wheat or Lime, so the taste hasn’t made a bad product much worse. My guess is that it’s likely just a cheap marketing ploy.

 

When beer is advertised like soda is in the U.S. with bright colors, pop singers and crunchy beats in its commercials, it could just mean that this beer is just a summer marketing shift to get people to drink more. By making it “special” when the weather is unbearably hot and muggy out here, people may drink it more. Sure, I’d drink it with some friends out for dinner or something like that (I don’t have much choice when it comes to cost and availability of beers out here), but I wouldn’t drink it if I’m looking for taste.