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Presidente Beer is a Pilsner-style beer produced by the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) in the Dominican Republic. First introduced in 1935, it has been instrumental in creating the strong beer culture that exists within the Dominican Republic and the rest of the Caribbean.
Key Features of Presidente Beer
Below are four key features of Presidente Beer:
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Presidente beer offers an ABV of 5.0%.
- Aroma: Presidente beer offers sweet aromas of natural grains and sweet malt with mild hop bitterness.
- Flavor and Mouthfeel: Presidente Beer delivers subtle flavors of fresh hops, sweet malted barley, and natural grains. The finish is crisp, dry and refreshing with a trace of mild hop bitterness.
- Appearance: Presidente Beer is pale golden with low to medium carbonation and a medium soft head.
Presidente is a pilsner, with gold color with moderately bitter hops. Pairs well with meats, cheese, fresh fish, sausages and pork tenderloin grilled.
Pros and Cons of Presidente Pilsner
Pros
- Presidente Pilsner is an easy-drinking and enjoyable beer when cold
- Upfront you get lovely aromas of malt and natural grains
- Followed by subtle tastes of fresh hops, natural grains, malted barley, and a mild hop bitterness
- The long finish is Crisp, dry, and thirst-quenching, with a mild hop bitterness
- Accessible
- Reasonably priced
- Well-packaged
Cons
- I am not a huge fan of adjunct beer, to begin with, and Presidente Pilsner seems to have larger amounts of unmalted cereals, sugar, and refined corn than any other beer I have tasted
- Must be consumed when ice-cold, if it’s not cold then it, unfortunately, tastes terrible
What does Presidente Beer taste like?
Presidente is a good beer, particularly when ice-cold. There are lovely tastes and aromas with sufficient hop bitterness to be considered a Pilsner. I appreciate the balance between sweet and bitter and feel the intelligent choice of hops is possibly these beers’ saving grace.
Upfront you encounter fresh aromas of natural grains and subtle undertones of sweet malt. Elegant flavors of fresh hops, malted barley, and natural grains are followed by a crisp, dry, slightly bitter and, refreshing finish.
The Color
Presidente Pilsner looks appealing and enticing, both in the original long neck bottle and when poured into a beer glass. It is lightly golden, offers a medium-soft white head with low to medium carbonation.
The Ingredients
Presidente Beer is an adjunct beer made using an array of quality ingredients. Traditional Pilsners are strictly brewed to the Reinheitsgebot law of 1516. The German Purity Order initially dictated that the only ingredients that can be used to produce beer are water, hops, and barley.
Yeast was only recognized in 1906 and was subsequently included in the law. This increased the number of brewing ingredients to four. This law is still respected and adhered to by numerous brewers all over the world.
Presidente Beer is brewed using water, hops, refined corn, sugar, and unmalted cereals, these additional ingredients that don’t feature in the Reinheitsgebot Purity Law are known as adjunct ingredients.
These aren’t primary ingredients of the beer but act more like supplementary ingredients. Mass producers use an adjunct to flavor and color their beer but generally, an adjunct is used to cut production costs.
Water
No information is available on the water source of the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana Brewery, but it appears to be soft water that has possibly been distilled or purified using reverse osmosis.
Hops
The types of hops used in the brewing process are also a closely kept company secret, the bold aromas, and levels of bitterness indicate that it could very well be a European hop, it tastes and smells similar to the Saaz hop from the Czech Republic.
Refined Corn
Refined corn is often included in cream-style Ales and light Lagers. It lightens the color of the beer and also makes it smooth and slightly sweet. You can’t taste much of the corn in the beer but results in a smooth, crisp, and lingering finish.
Unmalted Cereals
The un-malted cereals group is made up of micronized and torrefied rice, rye, maize, oats, wheat, and barley. They influence the mouthfeel, smoothness, body, color, and head retention of the beer. Adjunct ingredients like unmalted cereals and refined corn can make up to 30% of the beer.
Sugar
The most common type of sugar used to brew beer is Dextrose (corn syrup). Corn Syrup can dry out big beers, lighten the body of the beer, boost alcohol, and is 100% fermentable.
The Brewing Process
Presidente Pilsner is brewed using the bottom fermentation method, this method is typical when brewing Pilsners and Lager-style beers. Bottom-fermenting yeast strains operate at the bottom of the wort, with optimum fermenting temperatures being between 5 and 10 degrees C (41 and 50 degrees F).
Bottom fermenting allows the specialty yeast strain to work less aggressively which results in carbon dioxide being created at a much slower rate. This is the reason that most Ale and Pale Ale-style beers offer significantly more carbonation and larger rapidly dissipating white frothy heads.
Additionally, there is significantly less turbulence in the brew which allows the yeast to trigger early in its cycle. Bottom fermentations don’t allow for bold fruity tastes and aromas that you find in authentic Ale and Pale Ale-style beers.
Presidente Pilsner Nutritional Information
Presidente Pilsner is made from all-natural ingredients, and if consumed in moderation can be good for you. Each 12oz serving of Presidente Pilsner offers:
- Calories 147
- Carbohydrates 11 grams
- Protein 1 gram
- Fat 0%
The Packaging
Presidente Pilsner is offered in iconic 33cl green glass long neck bottles. Each bottle features the classic Presidente logo and a crown cap to keep the freshness in.
The logo is attractive and features a white background, black font with bronze, red and green trim. The logo also features an illustration of wheat growing in the fields. This is a tribute to a vital ingredient, to both Presidente beer and the people of the Dominican Republic.
Presidente Pilsner is available in 6, 12, and 24 options. All options are professionally branded and made from sturdy cardboard. The 6 pack option features a comfortable handle, the 12 and 24 pack options are conveniently boxed and sealed for easy transport and storage.
Where can You Purchase Presidente Beer?
Presidente Lagers account for 70% of the market in the Dominican Republic. It is also exported to Europe, South and Central America, the British Virgin Islands, Aruba, and the United States.
In the United States Presidente Pilsner can be purchased at regional and national liquor stores, select gas stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets like Walmart and Tesco.
Large liquor distributors like Bluegrass Beverage and Lakeshore Beverage ship Presidente Pilsner across the United States. Online companies like curecocktail.shop, reservebar, and Craftshack will gladly deliver Presidente Pilsner right to your home or office.
Presidente is a pilsner, with gold color with moderately bitter hops. Pairs well with meats, cheese, fresh fish, sausages and pork tenderloin grilled.
About the Brewery
The Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) Brewery was founded by American entrepreneur Charles H. Wanzar in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The CND brewery was the first brewery in the Dominican Republic and with sales exceeding 3.8 million hectolitres, it is now the largest brewery in Central America.
The first product to leave the brewery was Presidente Pilsner in 1935, since then the brewery has expanded to numerous additional brands such as Ambar, Bohemia Especial, and Presidente Light. Traditionally known for Pilsner-style beers, Ambar was the first dark beer produced by the brewery.
Anheuser-Busch InBev purchased a 51% controlling stake of the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) brewery in June 2012 for over 1.2 Billion US Dollars, resulting in the Caribbean’s largest beverage company.
Additional Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) Products
Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) produces fifteen types of interesting beverages. These include Beers, Rum, Malta’s, Soft Drinks, and Energizers (Energy Drinks). Below are four of their most popular beers:
Presidente Light Lager
This refreshing Light Lager offers the same full flavors and aromas as the Presidente beer but with fewer calories and a lower ABV. Upfront you get sweet aromas of malt and cereal grains, these aromas are followed by flavors of fresh hops, natural grains, and sweet malted barley.
The finish is almost identical to the Presidente Pilsner and is dry, crisp, and thirst-quenching with a trace of mild hop bitterness.
Take a journey to the Caribbean with each sip of this iconic imported Pilsner. A refreshing beer with a light, lemony taste and clean, dry finish.
Bohemia Especial
This is a classic example of an authentic Caribbean beer. Upfront you encounter subtle fruity aromas of lemon and citrus, with a hint of sweet malt. Rich flavors of malt with subtle undertones of corn mash and a trace of mild hop bitterness are followed by a crisp, dry and satisfying finish.
Bohemia Especial is a pale yellow color, offers a solid white head, medium carbonation, and an ABV of 5%. It is quite similar to the Presidente Pilsner and best consumed when ice-cold.
Mexico- Mexican Pilsner- 4.7% ABV. Bright and golden, this is a robust Pilsner-style beer that has been created using only the highest quality ingredients from around the world. The hops provide a strong, bitter taste as well as an irresistible herbal aroma.
Bohemia Especial Light
Bohemia Especial Light is a Light Lager that offers similar tastes to the traditional Especial, but with significantly fewer calories and a lower ABV.
Upfront you get soft fruity aromas of citrus and lemon with a hint of malt. Lovely tastes of malt, steamed corn, and a trace of mild hop bitterness are followed by a smooth, crisp, and dry finish. Bohemia Especial offers an ABV of 4.1%.
“The One” Lager
This golden Lager is an average beer and is best consumed ice-cold. Upfront you encounter gentle aromas of floral, natural corn, and light grain.
Subtle flavors of floral, malt, steamed corn, and natural grains are followed by a crisp, dry, and thirst-quenching finish. “The One” Lager is well-balanced, pours straw yellow with a medium frothy head, and offers an ABV of 4.7%.
Presidente Pilsner Beer Alternatives
Below are six quality alternatives to Presidente Pilsner, they are all proudly produced in the Caribbean:
Ironshore Bock
Ironshore Bock is produced by the Cayman Islands Brewery in the Cayman Islands. It is a traditional German-style Bock that is medium-bodied, full-flavored, and easy to drink.
Upfront you encounter delicious aromas of nuts and roasted malts. Bold flavors of roasted malted barley, sweet caramel, and brown sugar are followed by a rich, smooth, and satisfying finish. Ironshore Bock is a beautiful clear copper color, with little to no carbonation. It features a small white rapidly dissipating head and offers an ABV of 7%.
Red Stripe Beer
Red Stripe Beer is produced by Desnoes and Geddes in Jamaica. Red Stripe is an easy-drinking full-bodied beer that offers lovely aromas and flavors of rich malt and fresh hops. There is a mild hop bitterness and an exceptionally smooth and crisp finish. Red Stripe Beer is lightly golden, offers a medium frothy head, low carbonation, and an ABV of 4.7%.
Jamaica- Jamaican Pale Lager- 4.7% ABV. Red Stripe is a refreshing lager beer, and every bottle is imported from Jamaica, in the heart of the Caribbean. It's the beer in the little stubby bottle, from an island with a big spirit.
Strong Back Stout
Strong Back Stout is produced by the Bahamian Brewery Beverage and Co Ltd in the Bahamas. Don’t be fooled by the name, it is a stout but drinks more like a rich and full-flavored Lager.
It offers lovely tastes of roasted malt and bitter Belgian-style chocolate, with high levels of bitterness from the fresh hops and unsweetened chocolate. The finish is surprisingly crisp, dry, and thirst-quenching. Strong Back stout is dark, full-flavored, offers a thick frothy head, high carbonation, and an ABV of 7.6%.
Kubuli Beer
Kubuli Beer is a golden adjunct Lager produced by the Dominica Brewery limited in Dominica. This unofficial national beer of Dominica offers elegant aromas of wheat and brewers’ yeast, with tastes of natural cereals and sweet malt.
The finish is crisp and smooth. Kubuli Lager is a rich golden color with a medium head, slight carbonation, and an ABV of 5%.
10 Saints Beer
10 Saints Beer is produced by the 10 Saints micro-brewery in Barbados. This lovely beer offers delectable aromas and flavors of fresh vanilla and tropical fruits.
10 Saints Beer is allowed to age in old rum casks which adds subtle notes of quality authentic Caribbean Rum. The finish is smooth, crisp, and refreshing. 10 Saints beer is pale golden, offers a medium frothy head, medium carbonation, and an ABV of 4.7%.
Prestige Lager
Prestige Lager is a golden Lager proudly produced by the Brasserie Nationale d’Haiti in Port au Prince, Haiti. It is indicative of a traditional adjunct Caribbean beer and must be consumed when cold. Upfront you encounter earthy aromas of grass, rice, and natural cereals.
Well-balanced flavors of fresh hops and sweet corn syrup are complemented by a trace of mild hop bitterness. The finish is surprisingly crisp, with low levels of sweetness followed by mild hop bitterness. Prestige Lager is light-bodied, pale yellow, and features a small creamy head. It offers medium carbonation with an ABV of 5.6%.
Netherlands- Euro Pale Lager- 5.6% ABV. Prestige is an American-style lager, brewed using the finest ingredients. Utilizing natural and citrus hops, two-row malt, quality yeast, and crystal pure water, the end product is a deliciously refreshing 5.6% ABV medium body lager.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Is Presidente Beer a Lager?
Answer: Presidente Beer is an American-Dominican Republic Style Lager produced by Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) in the Dominican Republic. It is a Pilsner-style Lager (all Pilsners are Pale Lagers), brewed using high-quality hops, malted barley, cereal grains, sugar, and refined corn.
True to European-style Pilsners, it offers fresh bold hop aromas and flavors with a trace of mild hop bitterness.
Question: How much does it Cost to Purchase a Presidente Pilsner in the Dominican Republic?
Answer: There are three sizes of Presidente Pilsner available in the Dominican Republic. The 12oz Presidente Small costs 80 Pesos (1.4 USD), the 19oz Presidente Large costs 100 Pesos (1.76 USD), and the 33oz Presidente Jumbo costs 140 Pesos (2.46 USD).
Question: Did Alex Rodriquez buy Presidente Beer?
Answer: Alex Rodriguez, possibly one of the most famous names in Baseball, has identified an opportunity and jumped on board the Presidente Beer wagon.
Today, Alex is the Chairman and Co-Owner of Presidente, America. The brand and brewing rights are owned by Anheuser-Busch, who purchased the company in 2012 from Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) for an incredible 1.2 Billion USD.
Question: What is the Alcohol Content of Presidente Beer?
Answer: Keeping in line with European brewing tradition and standards, the Presidente Pilsner offers an ABV of 5.0%. The Presidente Light Lager is not only lighter in calories but also offers a lower than average ABV of 4.3%.
Question: Does Walmart Sell Presidente Pilsner?
Answer: Fortunately for American beer lovers, you can now purchase Presidente Pilsner and Presidente Light Lager from numerous Walmart Supermarkets across the United States. Additionally, Presidente Pilsner and Presidente Light Lager can be purchased online at Walmart.com. Both varieties are offered in 12-pack 12oz glass bottles.
Question: Can You Purchase Presidente Pilsner in the United States?
Answer: Not only can you purchase Presidente Pilsner in the United States but it is now being brewed on US soil in St Louis for a fresher, slightly more American taste.
Presidente Beer Review: Conclusion
Presidente is a Pilsner-style beer produced by the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND) in the Dominican Republic. Upfront you get sweet aromas of malt and natural grains with a trace of mild hop bitterness.
Subtle flavors of sweet malted barley, natural grains, and fresh hops are followed by a crisp, dry, and refreshing finish with a trace of mild hop bitterness.
Presidente Pilsner is a good beer but it needs to be consumed when ice-cold. When the temperature is perfect it is an enjoyable beer that goes down easy. If the temperature of the beer is too warm it becomes extremely difficult to drink and extremely unenjoyable.
I enjoy an ice-cold Presidente Lager on a hot summers’ day whilst having a barbeque. When cold, it pairs well with all types of foods particularly white meat, fish, and pasta.
If you enjoy authentic Pilsners and American lagers, then you will enjoy this beer. It tastes like a Heineken that was produced in the United States.
Presidente Beer is a Pilsner-style beer produced by the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND) in the Dominican Republic. First introduced in 1935, it has been instrumental in creating the strong beer culture that exists within the Dominican Republic and the rest of the Caribbean.
Presidente Pilsner offers fresh sweet aromas of natural grains and malt with mild hop bitterness. These rich aromas are followed by subtle flavors of fresh hops, sweet malted barley, and natural grains. The finish is crisp, dry, and refreshing with a trace of mild hop bitterness.
Presidente is a pilsner, with gold color with moderately bitter hops. Pairs well with meats, cheese, fresh fish, sausages and pork tenderloin grilled.