Third and final stop (for now) on my Polish beer exploration brings me to Lech Premium.
Lech comes in a green bottle with a green label that gives it a striking appearance. Especially when compared to the very similar looking and tasting Tyskie and Zywiec. Just like them however, the rear label is a baffling block of text.
Careful examination of that block revealed the ingredients as being water, malt and hops. Nothing special there. This must be a lager beer, ever though it doesn’t explicitly say so.
Also on the label is indication of the 5.2% volume. That makes it weaker than it’s Polish compatriots. Oddly, Lech, in bottle form, appears only to be available in 500 millilitre quantities. The same as Tyskie and Zywiec. Is there a reason for all these Polish beers only retailing in this large size of bottle?
The front label, I think is quite well designed. It keeps things clear and simple and has an intriguing shield logo. Are those rams or goats on it?
Once poured into a pint glass, there wasn’t much head to speak of. The colour did confirm the lager hypothesis.
There is a weak smell of malt and hops. Not a strong smell, but one that speaks of a quiet quality. The flavour isn’t strong in much the same way as Tyskie and Zywiec weren’t what you would call full bodied. The slight bitterness and sourness are there, but with Lech, they aren’t as ‘rough’ or as ‘sharp’. And that makes Lech even easier to drink.
Lech was surprisingly gentle and pleasant. I found it to be a very enjoyable and pleasant lager. And I’m not even a fan of lagers. Well worth a try if you find it on sale.
Rating: 3.75
Have you tried Lech? What did you think of it? Leave your thought in the comments.
21 April, 2008 at 7:40 am |
I’ve never tried it , but I live in Poznań where this beer is produced.
I have an answer for your question about size of polish bottles:
I’m not proud of it, but in Poland (especially east) there’s a custom not to *taste* beer, but to *get drunk with it*. Normally they use vodka for that purpose, but when they use beer – they don’t want to return to the shop (in order to buy more beer) too frequently.
Second reason is that typical Pole is far more ‘alcohol resistant’ than most European citizens and has to drink more
I say once again I’m not proud of it, but it’s Polish reality
17 December, 2008 at 1:22 am |
Go for Okociem OK -the best of the Polish Pils in my humble opinion.
4 January, 2009 at 1:44 am |
My favourite beer her in Canada. Got just a little aftertaste that makes it work. Lots of body.
15 February, 2009 at 5:41 pm |
well Polish cant drink more then the dutch ^^
we won the drinking contest at the exchange of our scools
i like the taste to be honest its nearly as good as heineken
27 February, 2009 at 3:22 am |
just like you said – i tried it after drinking red wine – and it was surprisingly pleasant – mellow almost – a real easy drinking lager… which may sound like a bad thing – but its not- its exceptionally well balanced.
1 May, 2009 at 10:00 pm |
LECH tastes like carbonated water. Try Perla from the Lubelskie Region of Poland, it’s got a great rich taste. Zywiec is also pretty good.
1 May, 2009 at 10:01 pm |
Okocim Mocne (strong) will put hair on your chest
30 May, 2009 at 5:35 pm |
I’ve just moved into a new flat and my polish neighbours knocked on my door at 11pm and handed me a beer with the words “I am a different person now, this beer is from my city, its the best beer” lol nice one! I like it, its a tasty lager!
30 May, 2009 at 5:38 pm |
p.s It was Lech that they gave me.
6 June, 2009 at 6:42 pm |
3 for the price of 2 in Tesco!
At £1.38 for 500ml I had to give it a go and my only regret was that I didn’t buy more. Absolutely tip top smooth, mellow lager.
Will definitely drink it again.