BEER REVIEW: 369

BREWER: Heineken, Edinburgh, Scotland

STYLE: Lager

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

X: #saledimare

INSTAGRAM: #saledimare

DATE OF POST: 1st November 2024

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Despite its simplicity, Birra Moretti Sale di Mare’s packaging has a certain charm. The colour scheme and mosaic effect on the label add an appealing visual touch that feels like a nod to Mediterranean vibes, promising something coastal and refreshing.

I’m afraid that’s where the praise for this beer begins and ends.

On the nose, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a standard lager—malty and slightly sweet, without any distinctiveness. Nothing offensive, but nothing memorable either.  It’s a lager.

The flavour falls flat on its face, especially given the “sea salt” theme. There’s no hint of saltiness, which could have added a nice layer to the profile. It’s drinkable but ultimately lacks character. A bit hazy in the glass, but not as much as other unfiltered lagers from major brewers. 

For me, unfortunately, the unfiltered claim feels more like a marketing touch than a brewing choice that adds real value here.  It’s a gimmick to bring out another type of beer that the unassuming customer will buy out of intrigue as opposed to the quality of the beer.  I am not sold on unfiltered beer.

Overall, Birra Moretti Sale di Mare feels like a missed opportunity. It’s a basic, uninspired lager that doesn’t really stand out on any occasion. Drinkable, yes, but hardly memorable—there’s little, if any, reason to choose this over another beer.

Sammy’s Rating: 37%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Sale De Mare is an unfiltered take on Birra Moretti, with the intriguing addition of Italian sea salt. For a macro lager, it surprisingly holds its own.
The nose, for a lager, is ok actually, with a blend of grainy malt sweetness and a subtle, briny freshness that piques the senses—something I certainly didn’t anticipate!

On the palate, Sale De Mare is crisp yet smooth, reminiscent of its classic lager roots but with a slight twist. The sea salt presence is there, but it’s remarkably restrained. If you’re not focusing, you might miss it altogether. However, when you pay close attention, the saltiness lends a delicate savoriness that complements the malt backbone. This whisper of salinity elevates the brew, balancing the light hop bitterness and enhancing its refreshment.

The finish is clean, with a touch of that unique salty character lingering just long enough to make you reach for another sip. For a macro lager, this beer offers a pleasant surprise for me.

Decent enough yeah, but good?

Not really.

Jymi’s Rating: 55%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 46%

MOB review next weekend: EXMOOR GOLD by EXMOOR ALES

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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