Nepal’s Finest?

To get this series up and going, I thought it make sense to make a start of one of the most memorable beers I have had in the last year or so….

Everest Special Lager

This brew is Nepalese, and widely available throughout that particular country. Utilizing Nepal’s most famous asset in its branding assures sampling from any beer drinker visiting the country, and I am sure that is their intention. Strangely, it is called Everest Special Lager, instead of Everest Larger, as this brand is already taken – from a beer brewed and sold in Turkey! Strange!

It is Brewed by the Mt Everest Brewery, in Kathmandu, Nepal, who also brew a higher alcohol content, Golden Tiger.

Anyway, back to painting the picture. I think I first sampled this Lager where I have taken this photo. In a rooftop restaurant near Dunbar square, in central Kathmandu, on a reasonably hot April midday.  Even in those circumstances, I knew this was not the best beer! Expectation would be that this scenario was one where you really enjoy a beer, and I knew at that point I would be having too many more of these!

I found the Everest Special Lager to be a very flat beer, with minimal head on the pour, and a real lack of carbonation. Beers in countries such as Nepal can vary a lot, depending on the storage and care from the restaurant/bar owner, and in this case, may be the explanation for the slight rust taste! (I’ll give the brewer the benefit of the doubt!)

At 5% alcohol content, it was of clear appearance. it has a minimally bitter after taste, but nothing too severe.

In conclusion, I can understand why this is an “obscure beer of the world”, and don’t believe it to be a hidden gem! It nice to be able to say I have had a Everest Lager, because of its obvious association with the region, but that is about it. Don’t expect to see it in a bottle-shop near you soon!

OPINION – Just the one, thanks! 

Score  – 4/10