Estrella Galicia

Estrella Galicia comes in this six-pack of bottles, listed under the Esplanda brand with Massachusetts as its stated origin. No ABV, IBU or tasting notes are given for this product, so what follows describes what to expect from the pale lager style the name points to rather than a measured profile. Lagers of this kind usually pour a clear straw to pale gold, with a light grainy-bread malt character, a restrained floral or herbal hop note, and a dry, clean finish with moderate carbonation. Bitterness in this style normally sits low to moderate, which keeps the beer easy to drink in volume without a heavy aftertaste. Serve it cold, around 38 to 45°F, which keeps the crisp edge and the carbonation lively. Past roughly 50°F, lagers tend to show more bready sweetness and lose their snap. A tall pilsner glass or a plain pint glass works well, since both preserve the pale color and keep a modest white head in place. Pour at a slight angle, then straighten the glass to build about a finger of foam. At the table, a light lager like this suits salty, fried and grilled food: fish tacos, fried calamari, patatas bravas, grilled chicken, and cured meats such as chorizo or jamón. It also handles mild spice, since the low bitterness and clean malt don't compete with the dish. The bottles keep best cold and out of direct light.