What kind of German film watcher am I, without German beers for my weekend? Not to worry, I’ll have a couple on Sunday. For tonight, it’s a strong imperial stout, to go with bittersweet feelings about film festivals. This is not the first time I’ve picked up a Pyrene, and I seem to recall being impressed. This Black Boots is also a collaboration with Pink Boots Brew, named for the women’s society looking out for them in the industry. Maybe I should have had this one in March…
Yep, yep, new towel
It is a very proud pouring beer, with quite a thick head. It does kind of deflate like a cocoa soufflé, though. There’s a very breakfast cereal-y aroma, with chocolate, but also a savory breadiness, so toast is definitely present and maybe a little bit of sausage? The flavor starts out with a somewhat cold dark chocolate whisper, but then something green floats up out of the abyss. It tastes like a health drink pretending to be a shake or something. It doesn’t taste so much like an old beer as a beer that hasn’t quite settled yet, but it could still be that it’s older than it should be. And has been dragged around out of refrigeration more than necessary. I’m not enamored of the sprouting flowers flavor, that also starts to develop a little sourdough aftertaste, but it’s not the worst beer I’ve ever had. It’s not even the worst one I’ve had this month. But maybe I really should have had it in March.
I had heard about a newish beer store down by Mercado de Embajadores, a good thing since La Buena Pinta has decided to be purely a bar, much like The Beer Garden, so I took some time to check it out. I actually missed them in their first place, which was supposed to be extremely small, even more than little Oldenburg of years ago. Hidden Beers now has some room to sit and stretch out with a beer or two. I had a nice conversation with the proprietor about dark beers, especially porters. Turns out he’s a big fan of traditional English porters; dark beer lovers unite! While I didn’t indulge in the porter side, I was guided to some powerful stouts and went away with Mexicake. It’s another example of those Mexican chocolate stouts, that often have a little kick to them, a nod to the gastronomy. Weirdly, most of those stouts come from the UK, at least the ones that make it to Spain. This is in fact one of those, from Tempest Brewing of Scotland.
Oh, what a glorious pouring, black and thick-looking, sliding silently into the glass. Not a lot of head, just some beige lace on top of the glass. The aroma is interesting. It’s sweet, but also has a natural feel to it, not like extra help has been added to boost the scents. My first impression is malt, but there is a kind of apple deep down and naturally a little chocolate on top. The taste is sweeter, but not overwhelmingly so. It has a good balance of the ingredients, with some breadiness for good measure, and really only the suggestion of chilli (or chile as they insist). For some that would be a disappointment, but I don’t really need my beer to be all that spicy. I can also pick out the hot chocolate drink flavors, with cinnamon and vanilla lurking somewhere in the taste. For the most part, it’s a very smooth beer, in spite of the chilli prickle, and one that I would have summer or winter.
It’s Beermad number ten, and more populated than the last time, from the very beginning. It wasn’t that much of a line, not like years ago, but last year I was the only one at the gate until practically opening time. There were about 20 people hanging out patiently this year, even as opening time came and went and the gate remained shut. They got us in pretty quickly once things were worked out inside, whatever it was that had to be done; people are pretty used to what is expected by now. It’s only 11(:15) and I’m already feeling thirsty, so I set off to get my first drink and take a look around.
There are quite a few new names this year, along with some old familiar friends, so I’m feeling hopeful. As usual, I want to start off strong with a nice stout/porter. Not far from the entrance I found Japi, beer from Cantabria, and a new one for me. Fortunately, they have a black beer, simply called Japi Negra, which I happily accept as my first of the day.
Kinda looks like an Ozzy Man more than a … Cantiman
It has a good look, dark brown, fluffy beige-ish head, and with kind of an oaty stout aroma. Maybe a little malt-heavy, but that’s not bad for a dark beer. It hits a little malty on the tongue, and gives a heavy first impression, but it really is pretty slick drinking. It takes a bit for some bitterness to make an appearance, but eventually it does, from the back of the tongue, interestingly. As a relatively light stout, it’s a good beginning for me. Other times I dive in a little too fast, but this feels…sensible.
I do not remember that motto for Leiner
Now it’s time for something different, and I noticed quite a few different things on the signs. As usual, lots of IPAs, but also some fruity sours with less common fruit. I toss some plans around in my head as I head for another new name, Tensina. There’s a Little Cherry Sour waiting for me.
Incredible color, Kool-Aid worthy, bubbly but not much head, and not much aroma either. It does have a little bit of a cherry yogurt smell, maybe due to the lactose that they told me was in there. Although it looks fizzy, it’s very smooth feeling, not a single tickle on the tongue. The sour cherry flavor is there, but it’s hardly overpowering. It has a very dry feel, in fact. It seems like Kool-Aid with less sugar than normal, and a little watered down too. Well, the color is right anyway. That’s not necessarily bad, we need to have some subtle things to tune our palates to once in a while, to keep us on our toes. I’ve been awfully spoiled with strong flavors as of late.
Is Iris the brewer? Got distracted, didn’t ask
Now we get back to my preference, the dark beers. I saw Pohjala’s Chocolate Porter listed alongside some Lervig and others, and had to go back for that. I think I’ve probably had it either at Taproom or from the bottle, but there’s no harm in trying a new serving style and new environment.
As expected, it looks splendid with it’s color and head. It smells a little coasty, but it is a Baltic porter, after all. A second whiff gives me a hint of licorice. Dark chocolate taste, crumbly, slightly savory, a real mouthful. Licorice is enhanced by the Sachertorte, which is quite dry. Again, it’s not a kick you in the face kind of beer, it’s very mild, but the flavors that are there come right out without shame. I start to pick up a little porter plumminess after a while, adding something sweet on top. The bottom of the Sachertorte has some fruity, jammy surprises awaiting, which end up adding some moisture, but overall it is the porter that is carrying the weight of softening things up here. Not a bad combination at all.
Finally, one more tongue cleaning sour. There’s some mystery about the exact fruit in it, it might be cranberry, but probably raspberry. This is DAI Sour.
Big bubbles, but little head, suggestive if light aroma. It’s fuzzier than the cherry, but with more woodiness and confidence. It does have the essence of a cranberry drink with something sparkling added. A cranberry virgin cocktail, I guess. I am a little whistful for the days of tongue wresting brews that fight all the way down, but Anne Bonny here is no doubt a thirst quencher. Not a flavor bomb in any way, but definitely palatable, and not as dry as Little Cherry. It’s very much a drink, not a sensation.
And with that, my Beermad concludes. See you next year…
Beeeeeeeermad is here! I waited too long to pick up a ticket, so can’t go today. I’ll be there tomorrow morning, though, bright and early. Relatively. It’s probably a good sign; last year there was practically nobody at the gate when they opened on Saturday, although things picked up later on. You’ll have to wait until next week to here my fair details, so here’s just the usual solitary taste.
I don’t remember why I picked up this beer, maybe as a contrast to those pastry stouts. Also, since it’s Basqueland, a guaranteed good drink. I always think I’m really going to enjoy a fruited sour, even though past experiences have been mixed, but there must be some kind of unkillable hope living deep in my palate. I happily accept them when recommended and pour them out nervelessly. Then the smell is a little sewery, or the taste isn’t quite as balanced as expected, or the beer feels spikey instead of like a liquid for drinking…well, I guess I have had more pleasant experiences than unpleasant ones overall, and especially with Basqueland. This one is simply called Strawberry Lemonade. Why dump in unnecessary complications?
It looks berry-ish, not especially bright, but more natural that way. While not exceptionally bubbly, it does look thick, and produces a nice layer of head. It’s not a very aromatic beer. I struggle to pick out clear scents, there does seem to be a little bit of fruit, although if I didn’t know there was strawberry I wouldn’t think of it. There’s the tiniest whiff of gassiness that often comes with fruit sours, but not much. Flavorwise, it is sour as advertised, although it’s kind of a generic sour, not linked to any particular fruit. I guess it has a natural lemonade feel to it, without a lot of sugar to tempt the less mature drinker. It also has a certain dryness on the palate, not leaving a tingle or stickiness that candy sour might have, this is a little more sparkling wine-esque. I think I appreciate that, I don’t need to feel loaded down these days.
More stouts, gods in the heavens, give me more stouts! There are plenty to be had, from breweries known and unknown. This one in particular is a known one, Attik, although I haven’t had much experience with their stouts. White Delight sounds…a little suspicious based solely on the name, but seeing that it’s described as a pastry stout, flavored with coconut, almond and white chocolate, you can’t resist a taste. This is also one of La Mundial’s stock, having rested for a few cold months. Since it is a stout at 9.6%, it’s unlikely that much damage was done.
Soft and fuzzy pouring out, little head, just a little cap on top. It doesn’t explode with scent sensations, but the coconut makes a firm point of being noticed. Not much else comes through to the nose. There’s a natural feel to the coconut taste, very woody and scratchy. It’s sweetish, but not excessive. There seems to be a little vanilla lurking around, peeking out of trap doors or from the fronds of palm trees. Although full-flavored, the beer is not heavy or difficult, it goes down very smoothly and doesn’t have a lot of alcohol weight to it, despite being almost 10%. It has something of an ice-cream or fudgecicle feel to it, with a layered but clearly chocolate taste and smooth and cool texture. Since we’re coming close to summer now, with sun and temps and everything, it’s something to keep in mind. Especially since my beloved stouts seem to be having their moment in the sun. Or maybe more than a moment!
Beermad approaches! I went last year of course, although I did not have the spoons to write a review of it. But new opportunities! Before we get to that, though, there’s a lovely busy can of stout that needs seeing to. Another delight from La Mundial, it’s an imperial pastry stout from The White Dog. It’s a Dutch brewery, which I am not familiar with, but the label seems to be promising a lot. Like some other Dutch breweries, they are flamboyant with their names. This one is I See You Know Your Judo Well. Yeah. Isn’t that a movie quote?
Just black as night pouring out, with that little whiff of Hershey’s chocolate syrup that some modern stouts take on. Not a very heady beer, barely a ring of chocolate milk bubbles crowns the glass. If you stick your nose in the glass there’s a balancing breadiness that takes the edge of the sweet. The taste is unsurprising if you trust the aroma, although it does have a pretty noticeable floor of licorice, which I haven’t run into for a while. With practically no carbonation, it packs a punch as a mouthful of a beverage. It’s slick and thick feeling, makes itself known, but also goes down without much of a fight. Thankfully the licorice calms down after a while, and it doesn’t develop a heavy or syrupy sweetness after sitting around a little. While not the most typical refresher beer, it’s comforting and cozy, definitely a stout right up my alley.
My buried treasure of beer keeps on giving! This one came from La Mundial, happily still in operation. We are in days that absolutely demand a drink to get through, although some drinks might be in celebration, and an IPA goes with anything. Well, a stout also goes with anything in my case, but for most they need something a little lighter. This slightly retro can contains Soma’s Don’t Quote Me, at a respectable 6%. By coincidence, I’m accompanying my drink with a little media, a story on the magical and occult history of the brewery’s home city, Girona. Full of religious mysteries, just like a lot of European cities. For some reason they don’t get into the beer!
The aroma explodes from the can when the pouring starts, very spicy and piney, It has a little bit of sour orange to it as well. It smells like a West Coast and looks like a New England with its cloudiness, although it’s supposed to be just a plain IPA. The snowy white head doesn’t stick around too long, but there is a thin layer that resists. It definitely tastes like a NEIPA more than anything, much sweeter than you expect after a sniff, heavily fruited with orange and nectarine. It feels thick, although the texture is also very smooth and slides right down the throat. After the initial shock, the flavor seems to settle down a bit, although you really have to concentrate to think you might be detecting some bitterness. It’s a bright and summery beer, maybe just the thing to brighten up a rainy long weekend.
It’s the end of an era…about a year late. But better late than never, we must agree. Despite the remaining beers being very Belgian heavy on the fast-emptying shelves of Labirratorium, there were still some that fit my typical tastes – chocolate stout! This is Vocation’s Triple Truffle Naughty & Nice Chocolate Stout, in a tall can and a subtle but suitable label. It’s been chilling for quite a while so I let it sit on the table for a bit before even opening, trusting that chocolate beer won’t go off very fast. At 8.4% it’s strong, although not the strongest I’ve ever had. Sounds like the chocolatiest I’ll have had, though.
It has a definite chocolate aroma, with a touch of liquor, kind of like those cherry liquor bonbons. While not especially heady, a nice layer of thick and lasting foam forms on the top. The flavor does not deviate from the scent clues, piling on in fact. It’s not heavy on the alcohol feel, but the chocolate is thick and dark tasting, very much like Möser Roth’s truffle. Actually, I think it’s a little sweeter than that. It maintains a pleasant texture, not getting to syrupy or heavy, and the flavor also stays constant. It’s quite an easy drinking beer for what you might expect from the description. The wait certainly didn’t hurt it, although I’m sure it was delicious from day one.
A little spot of light after some dark drinks? A rosy spark of dawn, it seems. Like I say, every once in a while I feel like I should try something different, and The Rowdy Rooster looks like something different. It’s a raspberry kettle sour, not the type of beer I normally pick up, but as summer becomes more evident, it might be a welcome change. The Pine Ridge Brewery out of Sweden might be seeing summers more like Spain’s so a little lightness might go over well even up north. Not only that, I recently learned about more traditional beers of those latitudes being on the sour side, so maybe they’re getting back to their roots.
Rosy red and lightly headed, tangy sour fruit aroma. It seems a little heavy for raspberry, but it is identifiable. It’s one of those dry fruity beers, with little sweetness in the immediate flavor, although it isn’t over the top sour. While bubbly, it’s smooth and easy to drink, very summery. Still there’s a weight of body to it that would also make it palatable for a winter party drink. There’s no weird aftertaste like some sours, no sulfury taste or anything. Long ago I had a raspberry ale from a now disgraced brewery and there’s a certain similarity. I don’t know if the name quite fits, to be honest, but it’s bright and happy enough, perhaps a wake-up call for the afternoon, although not so much for the crack of dawn.
Many people think their favorite meal is breakfast, but that might be because their favorite flavor is sugar. There’s still something appealing about anything connected with breakfast food, though, including beer. A pastry stout, imperial at that, seems likes the most likely beer to tackle that particular sector of gastronomy, although some NEIPAs get there with their overwhelming orange juice spirit. Basqueland, proven maker of stouts among other things, has presented us with French Toast, looking very much like a breakfast mimicking dessert.
Not much head, but slippery dark liquid, and tempting and subtle aroma. It has a hint of cinnamon and toast that make you think of fancy breakfast. Breakfast carries over into the taste, with a thick syrupy feel and tingly sweetness. There’s some kind of preserved fruit carrying the flavor on its back, possibly blueberries, which leaves the beer with a slightly winey presentation. Not even brunch goes that far, although I wouldn’t be surprised if some people indulge in champagne cocktails or the like. It really feels more like an alcohol drenched cake than a slice of French toast, with that warm and burning sensation, and the kind of sweetness that comes through careful manipulation of ingredients. The fruit becomes more and more noticeable, and starts to remind me of a blueberry ale I had once. Not the kind of beer you expect to find in a southwestern hotel, but there you go. Anyway, French Toast pastry stout does not disappoint in terms of its name or its will to please, but I don’t think I could handle it for breakfast.
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