Harbin Ice Beer

Harbin Ice Beer is the definition of transparent—pale straw color, basically no aroma worth mentioning. The first sip is almost aggressively neutral: crisp carbonation, a whisper of grain, basically nothing else. It's so light it almost feels like it's apologizing for existing. The finish is instantaneous and totally dry. This is the beer you drink when you want the *idea* of a beer more than the beer itself.

Presidente

Presidente has actual weight to it—you feel the liquid hit your palate instead of just passing through. There's a slightly sweet malt backbone that Harbin completely lacks, and the carbonation feels more deliberate, less aggressive. It's still clean and uncomplicated, but there's a roundness to it, like someone actually put thought into the recipe. The finish lingers just long enough to remind you you've swallowed something.