world of wonders

We're coming to the end of Beer Week, and I have to take the opportunity to slide a local favorite in there.  Fábrica Maravillas does not sell off their product anymore, having established their brewpub as a mecca for craft beer in central Madrid.  Mostly, they sell from the tap, but they occasionally bottle and growlers are also seen floating around.  Not all the beers get to the bottle; it's mostly the ale Malasaña and the saison Valverde.  Only Valverde was in the fridge when I went to look this time.

Fresh from the brewery

Sharp, but flowery, the scent has been described as "perfumed"...as has the taste.  I find the bottled version less striking than the draft; it's very mellow, even a little yeasty at first, but the tickle of spice comes out soon enough.  The head is snowy white, but doesn't hang around for long, leaving the beer looking a tad soda-like.  Bottled Valverde really doesn't have the squirt of perfume that the bar-pulled one has, leaving it much more low-key and easy to drink.  It's a nice combination of bitter and sweet, leaning more on the bitter naturally.  Chilled and taken in the shade, it's a perfect summer beer for relaxing and letting things go by.

That's sunshine in a glass, that is

Supplier: Fábrica Maravillas
Price: €4.75