We Tried The New Heineken Silver And It's Light, Done Right
Heineken has been producing some of the world's most beloved beer for years. But the landscape has changed as smaller breweries have opened, bringing fresh competition to Heineken's door. Though these competitors' product lines have blown up over the years, Heineken hasn't expanded its line in any significant way. Nowadays, drinkers can choose from Blue Moon LightSky, Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Beer, Corona Premier ... you get the point. But Heineken has only had regular, light, and alcohol-free beer — until now.
Heineken introduced its first light lager in 2005, more than 130 years after the brewery opened. It also has a zero-alcohol near-beer, Heineken 0.0. But traditionally, the brand has never offered flavored Heinekens, stouts, IPAs, or anything else, except the original lager. But the storied company just came out with Heineken Silver, and it's a huge deal. The timing is even right, as it's debuted in the spring when many consumers switch from stouts and other heavy beers to lighter ones. So is Heineken Silver worth a try? We think so. Read on for the lowdown on this low-carb, low-alcohol lager.
What exactly is Heineken Silver?
Heineken Silver comes in a slim and elegant silver can and a more familiar-looking green bottle. Both are labeled with bold red stars and turquoise lettering. Notably, Heineken Silver isn't the same thing as the company's light beer, which has fewer calories and more carbs. Though Heineken Light and Heineken Silver both fit into the premium light beer category, Silver might connect better with beer lovers, as it has more body.
Though Heineken Silver is produced by one of the most revered breweries in the world, it's a far cry from many of today's most popular craft beers, which often contain high amounts of alcohol and flavorings. Indeed, this beer is more of an option for people who want to lighten up on additives, calories, and carbs. Moreover, all Heinekens are lagers, made with malted barley — in contrast, many similar drinks are made with other grains like wheat or oatmeal. All in all, Heineken Silver is a strong new option for light beer drinkers. Since it has a respected brand name and eye-catching packaging, it won't be hard to spot once stores start stocking it.
What's in Heineken Silver?
Heineken Silver is made with malted barley, water, and an exclusive ingredient known as Heineken-A yeast. The company has been using this yeast since 1886, and claims it defines the taste of its beers. Heineken also uses horizontal fermentation tanks that have wide surface spaces to promote the conversion of sugar into alcohol, and a -1 degree lagering process.
Many beers are filling and full-bodied, but Heineken Silver aims to be satisfying without making you feel bloated. Unsurprisingly, it has a lower alcohol content at 4% ABV. It also has only 95 calories and 3.2 carbs so it doesn't slow you down — an impressively low number, as the carb-conscious among us already know. Though responsible drinking is still paramount, a few of these beers won't make anyone's daily carb count skyrocket.
Where can you find Heineken Silver?
Depending on where you live, Heineken Silver might be found in retail stores and on draft. The cans are sold in 12 or 24 ounce sizes, while the bottles come in a 12 ounce size. Look for it wherever you find Heineken products, and keep your eyes open for the silver and turquoise branding.
Certain U.S. states allow grocery stores to sell alcohol, but others prohibit it. If you live in one of the former states, you might find it in one of the major chains. Beyond that, you may be able to find it at local liquor stores and online. Among other outlets, it's already showed up at Turnt Liquor, Half Time, and Side Door Liquors. Be warned, though, that unless you can walk or drive to a place that has it, you'll end up paying shipping charges. Keep in mind that this is a new product launch, so even though it's not widely available at the moment, you'll doubtlessly start seeing it at more outlets in the coming months.
How much does it cost?
So, how much will Heineken Silver set you back? Here's what we found — but keep in mind, the following prices are all for 12 ounce bottles or cans, and don't include tax or shipping. Turnt Liquor has a 12 pack of cans for $16.99, which is one of the lowest prices we've seen online. Side Door Liquors has a 6 pack of bottles available for $11.87. Napa Valley Beverage Co. had a slightly better price for the six-pack of bottles at $9.99.
Is the price of Heineken Silver lower or higher than the company's original beer? It depends on where you buy it. Turnt Liquor, for example, shows the same $16.99 price for both kinds of 12 packs. It's also helpful to compare the cost of Silver to the competition. Heritage Wine & Liquor in Colorado retails a six-pack of Amstel Light for $9.99, while a similar offering from Molson is $10.99. A high-end craft beer like Voodoo Golden Sour Ale, in contrast, costs $16.99. The price of Heineken Silver falls nicely into line with these competitors. You won't be paying as much as you might think for this respected name.
What does it taste like?
Heineken Silver boasts nearly the same golden color as the original Heineken, but it's slightly more pale and also smells more strongly malty. Once it's poured, you'll notice the head dissipates in seconds. This implies less carbonation. Though this doesn't change the taste, it can be surprising until you get used to it. Heineken Silver has a sweet and malty flavor that's almost fruity, without any bitterness or hoppiness at all. The aftertaste is negligible, and doesn't leave any bitterness on the palate.
Notably, Heineken Silver has enough body to counteract the wateriness detectable in competitor's light beers. The taste is crisp and refreshing, rather than heavy, strong, or bold — it simply doesn't have the calories, carbs, or alcohol content for to fit into the latter category. This means it pairs well with food, because it won't fill you up like heavier beers do. It's an excellent summer beer, especially since it's at its best when served ice cold. You might try putting it into a Yeti-style cooler designed for slim beer cans or frosted beer mugs. It can also be popped in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes.
How does it compare to other beers?
Heineken Silver compares well to light beers made by brands like Coors and Budweiser. In fact, the latter brands seem watered down compared to Heineken Silver. While they tend to be cheaper, their price points aren't as far below Heineken as they used to be. Granted, the appeal of these kinds of American beers is that you can drink more of them at one time. But you won't feel any desire to treat Heineken Silver this way. It's flavorful enough to make you want to savor it, and it doesn't have a watered-down consistency. Whether you're drinking it on its own or pairing it with a meal, so long as you remember not to worry about the lack of foam and keep it ice cold, you'll be sure to enjoy Heineken Silver.