
5 November 2017 - Best Beer HQ
Review: Sands Lager in the Bahamas
This year I was lucky enough to go on a cruise through the Caribbean, from Miami in the United States of America, to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, and the Bahamas.
It was in the Bahamian capital city, Nassau, where I drank two bottles of local beer Sands Lager in quick succession (it was bloody hot out, and we needed to get back to the ship soon). This is what I thought of it…
ABV: 5.2%
Blurb about the beer: Sands is a full-bodied beer with a smooth, soft, pleasant texture and a presentation of classic gold colour. According to the Bahamian Brewery Beverage & Co. website, it was launched in Grand Bahama only in 2007, before becoming a national Bahamian brand the following year.
Tastes like: The first one didn’t even touch the sides. Did I mention how bloody hot it gets in the Bahamas in July?
Well, I managed to slow myself down on the second beer, and all I can taste is sweet grain, a little bit of malt, and almost a complete absence of hops. Sands is thin and watery, very bubbly, and looks straw-coloured through the clear glass bottle.
The verdict: I think I liked Sands beer better when it didn’t touch the sides. But I’m in the beautiful Bahamas, so who cares?
Beer/movie combination: When it came to this part of the review, I looked up a list of films shot in the Bahamas, which happens to feature 1984 smash-hit romantic-comedy Splash. That movie about a Tom Hanks falling in love with a mermaid is about as deep and complex as Sands Lager, so I think it’s a good match. (Plus, it’s got John Candy in it – man I love that guy!)