Heineken Premium LagervsPeroni Nastro Azzurro

The global lager. Pale golden, good carbonation, white foam. The aroma has Heineken's characteristic skunky-hoppy note — a product of using isohumulone-derived compounds that react slightly to light. Clean in the mouth, slightly sweet malt, a moderate hop bitterness that's the most distinct thing about it. Finishes clean and dry. Doesn't pretend to be more than it is. The 250ml green bottle is basically a delivery mechanism for that slightly bitter aftertaste, which is what Heineken drinkers are actually after.

Lighter in colour, lighter in body, lighter in practically everything except the blue-label bottle design. The nose is cleaner than Heineken — less hop character, more neutral grain. The sip is crisp and refreshing, the body very light, the bitterness lower. It's the lager equivalent of sparkling water with some beer mixed in, which in the right context (34 degrees Celsius, Italian coastline) is exactly the right choice. At room temperature in a pub, slightly less compelling.