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Calenbeer

shelved treasure

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Many months ago I searched, unsuccessfully, for a Baltic porter. In fact, I haven’t seen any around for quite some time. Finally, one came into my line of sight as I examined shelves for style, name, and visuals. Not only was it a Baltic porter, it was a whisky barrel aged porter! The appropriately named La Calavera puts Dead Barrel Island in somewhat dangerously colored bottles – maybe the strength of this beer will beat back any sunlight – and lets it tempt all who walk by. Will this be a treasure discovered?

It’s shockingly winey in the nose, given that it’s whisky barrel aged, it reminds me quite a bit of some of the wine barrel aged stouts I’ve had at beer fairs past. I don’t get much head to bubble up on it, but the liquid looks like something dangerous and magical. The first sip has kind of a grape juice jacket, but it quickly gets shed to reveal a rough and raw whisky crust, followed by the earthy black beer center. It has more of a stout feel than porter, but that is kind of the nature of the Baltic style. I feel like there’s a little bit of sweetness there, but I can’t tell if it comes in from the beer or the whisky. While easy enough to drink, it feels like there’s a ghost remaining behind, fuming alcohol or something. It’s almost strange how easy it is, since it is really not a light beer at all. Still, if this was all that was left behind in a pirate’s treasure chest, it would be more than worth the trouble.

Supplier: La Buena Pinta
Price: €6.50

all for me

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Let’s get a little more into the kind of beers I expect in my Advent calendar – stouts, dammit! Now, this is a Belgian stout, with the medieval name of Troubadour, but it fits right in. As much as I’m going to lean into darkness, Christmas beers can be admitted, and who makes Christmas beers? Most famously? The name of the brewery makes me think it would be a secret pastry stout, or at least a much sweeter stout than normal. But maybe The Musketeers are just about collaboration and solidarity.

Head is extra-fluffy coffee ice cream, and not prone to melting off fast. It’s not terribly strong in aroma, but there is a tiny bit of pleasant toastiness and dark chocolate. It feels creamy and luxurious, spreading hints of licorice as well as the expected coffee over the tongue. It leaves a tiny taste of char at the back of the tongue, otherwise sweeping down the throat easily and without the typical Belgian beer tang. I was afraid it would develop at first, but it’s another pretty standard stout, maybe a little bit thicker and smoother than Bidassoa’s. It gives you a slightly wooly feeling, being a strong and atmospheric beer, and maybe just a little nod to the well-known seasonal beers of its country.

Supplier: Lambeer
Price: €3.70

punching up

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Advent begins, but no calenbeer for me this year. There are some available, but even the most exotic looking ones are full of pale ales and/or lagers! It’s Christmas for chrissake! Isn’t it time for strong, dark, warming beauties? This year I’m collecting my own calenbeer, to ensure I’m not disappointed with anything. Well, since I like to try new things I guess I could be disappointed by something, but at least it won’t be the style. So, despite that little whine, my first beer isn’t even a stout or porter, but a barleywine. Hey, it’s strong, it has a seasonal kind of feel to it, it’s not a pale damn ale! This particular barleywine is a Sanfrutos creation, in a can that reminds me quite a bit of Garage designs. Maybe they share an artist. Maybe there’s some cross-pollination. Hopefully nobody comes to blows over Puñales.

Well, I didn’t promise myself black beers for my personal calendar, but it’s a pretty dark and toasty beer. Sort of a seared honey color with a sweet aroma that drapes itself in your nostrils. It’s the smell of Christmas liquors, I’d say, split between apple cider and rum. The taste is surprisingly subdued, not nearly as sweet and appley as I was expecting, much more woody in fact. Is there some oak involved? I’m getting more similarities to whiskey than to rum now. It also has a creamy kind of mouthfeel that I don’t associate with barleywines, but that makes it pretty easy to swallow without any syrupiness. The first calenbeer feels like a good start. I’m looking forward to what I have coming, and they might be a little less demanding than Beermas. But, you never know, do you?

Supplier: La Mundial
Price: €5.10

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