Heineken Light Review

Heineken Premium Light is Heineken's entry into the light beer market. It was launched last year with a massive marketing campaign, helping Heineken catch up with all of the other big name brewers that market a light version of their regular beer.

Was Heineken's long overdue entry into the light beer market worth the wait? Well, judging this beer produces similar taste sensations as regular Heineken, only in smaller amounts. Heineken Premium Light is light golden in color with an aroma that features some grassy hops and the same unpleasant "skunked" scent common with beers like regular Heineken and others that are packaged in green bottles. The foam on this beer is adequate, but it doesn't last very long, leaving behind a thin layer of bubbles across the top of its clear, well- filtered body.

This beer offers a light malt flavor that combines some pale malted barley taste with some corn and other adjuncts. The beer finishes with only a small amount of bitterness. It is sweeter overall than regular Heineken with only a slight peppery sensation at the end which quickly fades to an aftertaste that combines skunky flavors with sweet malt.

With its light, watery flavor and skunky aroma, Heineken Premium Light has many attributes common to its parent beer. It does offer a clean appearance, clean taste, and crisp flavor. But is really nothing more than a watered- down version of regular Heineken- a beer that I have always felt was overrated in the first place.  

So, what is the final verdict on Heineken Premium Light? Well, it is certainly an easy beer to drink and with the words "Heineken" and "Light" in the name, it is bound to rack up a good deal of sales. But a solid marketing campaign, newly designed bottles (featuring peel off labels), and the Heineken label are not enough to convince me to recommend this watery, low flavor concoction. Yes, it is smooth and easy to drink. But so is a six pack of bottled water, which costs a lot less.