simple charms

Lots and lots of changes over the past couple of years, for obvious reasons.  And some less obvious but normal ones, like businesses closing, downsizing or coworkers taking off for greener pastures.  So, there are people I have not seen for quite some time, until one of us decides to take some initiative.  Initiative was taken last weekend, although my part was only choosing the place.  Heading down to Be Hoppy would be a two-birds-with-one-stone kind of deal, since we can have a beer there, and I can pick up some other beers to take home for another day.  Taps were mostly lighter beers, ales and wheat, but there was a very nice looking stout: The Kernel Imperial Brown Stout.  No quirky label, no eccentric name, just an honest, hard/working stout for your pleasure.  Well, my pleasure.

It has the right aroma for sure, tangy dark chocolate and foresty fruit.  The head is very thick and resistant, sort of a dark sandy color, and the beer is not quite black, but chocolate brown enough for me.  There isn't much chocolate in the taste, or fruit either, it's a strong bitter beer, punching through with rough toasty flavors rather than smooth sweetness.  While a surprise, it's not an unacceptable way for stout to come out.  Eventually a little dark chocolate starts creeping out, balancing the bitterness somewhat.  It's a pretty classic stout, with a lot of body to it and strong but clean flavors.  It might not be real fall yet, but it's getting there, and a beer dark enough for a good Hallowe'en party is a step in the right direction.

Supplier: Be Hoppy

Price: €6.25

trickling west

Although La Cervecista might be thought of as a crafty rather than craft store, there are good beers for sure.  Especially in the Czech selection, Primátor is there, as well as Bernard!  I have not seen Bernard for quite some time in the Spanish stores, so I shouldn't let this opportunity slide.  I had a little trouble deciding between the amber lager and the Bohemian lager, but in the end Bohemia seemed best.

A very classic look, dark straw yellow and perfectly translucent, not to mention the head sitting on top like frosting.  The aroma is a little bit cleaner and with less grass than some German lagers, but it's still identifiably in the type.  It's an interesting mix of apply sweet and beer bitter in taste.  The beer is a very light feeling liquid, a good choice for a summertime drink with a view of the street.  While it is incredibly easy to drink, it isn't a nothing beer and not quite like Corona or similar light beers fit for the beach.  I feel this is more of an urban beverage.  After a while I start picking up a little saltiness, kind of a sea-water sort of sensation, but not to an unpleasant level.  It's almost like having a salty dressing on a salad.  It's refreshing and calming at once, and with enough presence to be good company on an evening when temperatures are starting to fade from Madrid summer.

Supplier: La Cervecista

Price: €2.40

for when life is crazy

On this, a sad anniversary for some, I have a beer sufficiently solemn in appearance, I assume, but with an attitude of fun and thinking towards the future.  Another stout from La Mundial, and a little closer to home, Oso Brew's Livin' La Vida Coco is the drink of the night.  One might argue that a morning 20 years ago was the beginning of an age of normalized craziness in life, at least in life related to the US.  A little additive of a tropical bent, lending some calm and encouragement to sit back and quietly let yourself experience existence, might be just the thing we need.  Hell, you don't even need a terrorist attack for that, but it's a very convincing excuse.  At least it was for ol' W.

Dark beige head and dark brown beer, and a scratchy, not quite sweet aroma.  The head descends, but only slowly, maybe allowing more tropical hints to escape as it fizzes away.  The flavor captures the feeling of coconut, a very natural seeming one at that, with the flavor that is mildly sweet but without extra sugar or syrup.  The beer also has a very thick feel to it, although it isn't sticky at all.  It's a very easy drink, sliding right down, leaving a tiny bit of smoky bitterness in its wake.  It's similar to the birra colada, actually, although it's a little bit darker and heavier in taste.  It's the midnight version, while Bee Beer has an afternoon delight.

Supplier: La Mundial

Price: €7.50

so much dessert

Since I have so rarely visited La Mundial, and I was in need of German pickles, it seemed like the most convenient place to go to stock up.  Also, although it's relatively small, there is quite a select collection.  Since days are getting noticeably shorter, I feel good about splurging on a few black beers, which the guy noticed approvingly.  I start with another Basqueland, in collaboration with Great Nation Brewing, Peanut Butter Prophecy.  You just can't say no to an Imperial Pastry Stout, especially with a Reese's touch of chocolate and peanut butter.

It might be just a little bit lighter than the most recent Basqueland stout, although the head is similarly dark beige, could be the effect of the peanuts.  I do think I get a whiff of peanut butter off the beer, a nuttiness with a touch of salt.  Like other peanut butter stouts, it's tangy with a blend of sweet and salty, and mouthy.  It's not exactly a thick beverage, like a beer float after the ice cream has melted, but it somehow fills the space and moves with purpose when drunk.  It's pleasantly not too sweet, just with a creamy peanut flavor that covers up the normal stout bitter.  I'm a little surprised not to find much coffee or raisin in the aftertaste, but not disappointed.  It's actually quite nice to have a simpler collection of tastes for once, one that comes in and goes down in the same way, without huge variations.  It's a good opener to a new season, one to look at with optimism I hope.

Supplier: La Mundial

Price: €7.50