BEER REVIEW: 409
BREWER: Heineken, Lothian, Scotland
STYLE: Lager
ABV: 4.8%
VESSEL: 640ml brown bottle
DATE OF POST: 8th August 2025
JYMI SAY’S…
Back in the day my parents in-law drank the king of the lower alcohol mass produced lagers. Hofmeister. Now if it had been Carling or Fosters then we could have had a serious problem as they were not my parents in-law then, just my girlfriend’s folks. But luckily, Hofmeister it was, and for this bracket of beer it was by far and away the best by a country mile. Absolute legend of a beer really, for what it was. Now, on occasion should there be a takeaway happening or an incredible home cooked satay chicken being rustled up in the kitchen, Hoffy would take a back seat for a few hours and would be replaced by their treat beer, Tiger. Fine by me! However, this was in the early 2000s, and today is today. Let’s pop the hood and see what lies beneath…
Unfortunately, total and utter mediocrity, bang average, and I’m actually not even sure it reaches those heights. There is an unpleasant malty tone to Tiger nowadays. It doesn’t sing / roar like it once did. It’s plain and average. Drinkable? Just. But this really isn’t a very good beer anymore I’m afraid.
Jymi’s Rating: 40%
SAMMY SAY’S…
Once heralded as a household name—at least back when glossy men’s mags held sway over taste—Tiger had its moment in the limelight before craft beer revolutionised expectations. In the days of lager dominance, it had a reputation for being a solid choice, but with so many new contenders prowling the shelves, does this once proud feline still have a place in the pride?
At first glance, its packaging is familiar and reassuring, like a contented moggy curled up in its usual sunny spot. The bold colours give it presence, but much like a tabby that blends into the furniture, the graphics don’t demand attention. It’s safe, recognisable, and not about to leap out at you—more of a house cat than a wild predator.
On the nose, there’s an immediate sense of nostalgia, an unmistakable lager scent that’s sweet, malty, and clean. It’s as predictable as the soft nuzzle of a cat returning to the same spot every evening. Comforting, familiar, and without any surprises.
The taste follows suit. A touch of saltiness upfront leads into a sweet finish, with woody notes lounging somewhere in between the two. There’s no sudden burst of excitement, no playful clawing at complexity—it simply pads along with an easy drinkability. It’s the kind of beer you can sip absentmindedly, much like stroking a cat as it dozes in your lap. There’s no real bite, no attempt to assert dominance, just a smooth, relaxed presence.
Ultimately, Tiger is a beer that knows its place. It doesn’t purr with excitement or sharpen its claws on innovation, but it won’t disappoint if you’re after something easy and familiar. It’s drinkable, reliable, and entirely unremarkable—much like the quiet, unassuming cat that curls up beside you, content but not demanding attention. If you want something safe, this is your domesticated companion—not prowling, not roaring, just there.
Sammy’s Rating: 46%
MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 43%
MOB review next weekend: EXPRESSIONS: CITRA by SIREN CRAFT BREW
Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017
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M O B 2025
MUSE ON BOOZE 