dark interpretations

Even in the dead of summer I can't stay away from the dark beers.  This is a German example, which doesn't actually appear so often on Spanish shelves.  Sure, there are dunkles beers, but not stouts as in stouts.  Rittmayer says they got one though, so that's good enough for me to try.  Although the brewery is supposed to have been founded in 1422, the label has quite a modern look, like one of those dignified beers that don't have to demand so much attention as some little craft creations.  Also, to remind the drinker that this isn't a typical industrial beer product, it has been named "Craftmayer".

Looks very stouty, more on the chocolate side than the ink in color.  Fizzy, beige head crowns the glass.  A little more sour than I expect in aroma, but German dark beers can have that sometimes.  The taste is mildly sweet at first, a little bit of a wheat biscuit flavor, then a gentle bitterness wafts up.  It has a very light feel, not watery mind you, but goes down easy.  Not sour at all, in contrast to the scent, but very smooth and drinkable.  There's just the tiniest touch of sourness that makes a flicker in the aftertaste, but overall it's a calm soft-touch of a dark beer.  There is a slight increase in the sensation of lactose over time, which makes it more similar to other stouts, but I can't say that it gets any sweeter or stickier.  The consistency is constant and pleasing, so even on a hot August evening it's a good drink.

Supplier: Heneket
Price: €3.40