The Hartwall Karjala III is a lager, more specifically a Pale lager. It's one of the 'basic beers' in Finland along with Lapin Kulta, Olvi, Koff and Karhu. It's brewed in bulk quantities by Hartwall, one of the largest breweries in Finland. Hartwall was founded in 1836 and their annual production (alcohol and soda drinks combined) is about 400 million litres. The name Karjala refers to the Finnish region of Karjala (Karelia), part of which was lost to Russia in the Winter War. Hence, a somewhat popular catch-phrase among people for whom Karjala is the beer of their choice is: Karjala takaisin, vaikka pullo/tölkki kerrallaan. (Karelia back, one bottle/can at a time.)
Taste: The Hartwall Karjala III is a light-bodied lager. It starts off with a slightly roasted, bready malt taste and then finishes with a slightly metallic, faint bitter hoppiness.
Overall, The Hartwall Karjala III suffers from the same weaknesses as all of the other bulk lagers in Finland. It's quite watery, the taste is metallic and doesn't really have any real hoppiness. However, in my opinion the malty taste in Karjala offers a bit more roasted, bready malt taste than other basic lagers of Finland and if you're into that, maybe Karjala should be your choice. However, Karhu is the most aroma-rich when it comes to the Finnish bulk lagers. Karjala isn't the best but neither is it the worst. Really average!
50 Average
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