Tiger Crystal: A twist on the classic beer

Tiger Beer's cool new offering to the Asian beer-drinking market.

While much of this is due to the fact that China has become the world's biggest beer market, this increased consumption has not gone unnoticed by Asian-based breweries who've taken pains to launch new products. 

In particular Tiger Beer, Singapore's own brew brand has been hard at work.

First it revamped its look, stripping all the gold elements from the label and replacing it with a slicker platinum finish. Then it engaged Wayne Rooney for its regional ad campaign screened during the World Cup 2010. And now it's launched Tiger Crystal, a light beer that looks and tastes nothing like the original.

Pegged as a premium brew, Tiger Crystal is packaged in a sleek 300ml glass bottle and has an alcohol level of 4.3 percent as compared to the regular Tiger Beer with an alcohol level of 5 percent.

According to a spokesperson for the brand, the beer is aimed at the "modern-day drinker who enjoys a clearly refreshing, easy-to-drink beer."

Already sold in China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia earlier this year, it's finally available in Singapore. For the seasoned Tiger Beer drinkers resistant to change, take note that this pale gold brew, described as having a faint aroma of apple scones and scrambled eggs, has already won global accolades.

At the recent World Beer Cup 2010, it emerged top, beating 19 entries in the Australasian, Latin America or Tropical-Style Light Lager category and was given an 87-point rating by www.tastings.com, the website of the Beverage Testing Institute. 

The all-natural brew also touts the use of top quality hops from the United States together with malted barley and yeast from Europe. Made using a cold suspension brewing process, which filters the beer at a crystal cold temperature of -1 degree Celsius, the technique claims to lock in the flavors and aromas, resulting in a clean, refreshing aftertaste. 

All this talk makes one thirsty and for now, these are the three places you'll be able to sample Tiger Crystal, before details of permanent points of sale are given out. 

Clarke Quay Central Fountain sampling bar from December 20 to 27.

Read Bridge at Clarke Quay from December 20 December to January 1 2011.

Wisma Atria Tiger Crystal Bar Pop-Up Bar from December 28 December to January 17.

Tiger Crystal will be sold at a selected number of premium outlets and bars by the end of the year, details to follow at www.tigercrystal.com.sg.