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Imagine my surprise when I realized that I had not yet reviewed this beer. I reviewed Coors Light, and I was not particularly fond of that beer. Since then, I made a concerted effort to review some of the mainstream beers that had I had overlooked previously. Somehow, the banquet beer has escaped my net. Well, that's going to change now. I don't really know why it's called a banquet beer, and I'm sure there are many things written about it to tell me that I will not be reading.
Well, the label says Coors Golden Banquet Beer. I can't argue with the argument that it is gold. It's a light gold, and it is a clear gold, but it is a gold. The white head dissipates pretty quickly, but there are points of nucleation sending bubbles to the top to remind you that this is carbonated. There isn't going to be any lacing, but I typically don't see very much with most lagers, anyway. The aroma is sweet grains, and they smell pretty good. I'm not expecting the best beer in the world, but I hope this is better than its contemporaries at Budweiser and Miller.
First sip is quite sweet with some heavy grains. There's not a whole lot more to it, and I suspect this is going to be one of those beers that will benefit from being imbibed quickly and while the beer is very, very cold. Heat is only going to make this beer taste a little off, a little skunky, and it may even accentuate the sweetness; bitter is typically beer's most noteworthy characteristic. It isn't always the case, and that is especially true with dessert beers, but that's not what this is. This is a sweet American lager.
Tip-in is sweet grains and moderate carbonation. The middle sends carbonation as a foam to the top of the mouth, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The sweet grains continue to flow underneath, and they are quite uncomplicated. The beer is easy drinking and relatively refreshing. The finish has a tinge of bitterness and the grains communicate the possibility that warmth will bring skunk. I don't let it get warm.
Bottom Line: Significantly better than I expected, and perfectly acceptable.
2.25/5
