Capsule’s Kelly Bertrand and The Girls Uninterrupted’s Brodie Kane (and Capsule columnist of course!) have a yarn over Heineken’s new low-carb offering, Heineken Silver, and figure out exactly what their taste buds are telling them with real life science.
Heineken x Capsule – Drink responsibly, and obviously, this yarn is for 18-year-olds and over.
I reckon it’s in your early 30s when you start to really appreciate science. From your perfectly-curated skincare regime designed to help you fight off lines and spots (although they never told you that this was the age you get wrinkles AND pimples, the dicks) through to everything your phone does to make your life easier, science freaking rocks.
University of Auckland geneticist Andrew Shelling has developed a simple taste kit that can determine whether you are genetically predisposed to the bitter flavours of traditional lager, or whether you would prefer lighter, more smooth drinking options – yes, seriously!
Hundreds of the new taste kits have been distributed to leading bars, so Kiwis can put their tastebuds to the test and discover which type of product they are scientifically hardwired to enjoy more, so of course I needed to get amongst this STAT.
Science!
The kits have been produced to mark the launch of Heineken Silver, the smooth-drinking low-carb beer from Heineken. Aotearoa has seen an EXPLOSION in the popularity of this beer flavour profile – growing 22% over the past year alone as consumers are more discerning with their choices, and is in large part appealing to the significant proportion of our population who are genetically hard-wired to enjoy the flavour.
So when Heineken reached out and asked me to trial thea science-y ‘taste kit’ alongside their new low-carb, smooth-tasting Heineken Silver (88 calories per serve, and 99% carb-free) of course I did it, for you, dear reader as much as for science.
Alongside our pals at The Girls Uninterrupted, we put Heineken’s taste kits – a strip that allows you to actually understand the science behind your taste preferences – to the test to see which of the beers we would prefer – the OG Heineken or the Heineken Silver. If you can detect bitterness on the strip when you place it on your tongue you might just prefer the smoothness of the Heineken Silver (you can actually try this for yourself at bars around Auckland!).
TGU co-host and Capsule columnist Brodie and myself have a long history of enjoying a few bevvies together while brainstorming how to solve the world’s problems – it’s called creativity – and obviously we were dead keen to give this a crack, as were her fellow hosts Gracie and Caitlin.
In fact we were so keen that we might have jumped the gun and enjoyed a few of the Silvers a few days before we all took our tests because hell, it was sunny, we were having a catch-up and, in all honesty they’re actually delicious.
“Look, I’m not a crafty beer gal,” says Brodie. “It’s just not my bag. I love the idea of the Silver, it’s always nice to have a wee beverage when you’ve shut the laptop at the end of the day!”
While all three of the TGU gals took their tests and determined that they’re fans of the OG, mine was different – I could detect bitterness right at the end of the 10-second taste period, meaning I’m a Silver gal, according to the geneticist behind the test Andrew Shelling.
“Some of us are born to detect bitter flavours more strongly than others,” he tells. “Those who are more sensitive to bitterness are likely to make food and drink choices to avoid the taste. However, as we age, our bitter taste sensitivity also changes.”
What does Heineken Silver taste like? Well, like Heineken – but it is remarkably smoother, with less of that fuller-bodied beer bite. I reckon it’s the perfect drink for catch-ups on the deck.
And despite her and the girls’ tests, Brodie’s a massive fan of the Silver too (trust me, I was there when we enjoyed every sip!) and reckons it’s her drink for the summer sorted too. It’s crisp, smooth and low maintenance. Like us, right?
“Yeah, that’s absolutely us,” Brodie says (barely suppressing a scoff). “It’s the perfect drink for a couple of cold ones in the sunshine and that’s what I’m after in a beer, to be honest.”
Agreed. Give these bad boys a go next time you’re after a smooth beer that’s perfect for the sun (it’s coming. Surely. Any day now).
Cheers!
