3...

Sad news!  Espuma is closing up shop.  It wasn't one of the stores that I frequented most, being kind of down and out of the way for me, but it was a nice sized place with good selection.  And you always feel a little sad to see an option disappear.  I was in the area for job things and managed to get in during their last weeks, when everything was on sale.  If there's anything better than good beer it's good beer cheap.  Well, less expensive.  I was afraid they would be down to the dregs, but there was still quite a bit of good pickings.  I gravitate to the stouts and see something ... different.

*twinkle shine*

It's Nómada's Raspberry Imperial Stout, which looks familiar, but with something extra on top.  I remember the store had some beers aging off somewhere and had brought them out just recently, so maybe one of those?  At 10% it's pretty high alcohol so it shouldn't go bad to quickly.

I hope

After much cajoling the cap comes off to a wine-like aroma.  The head's a little bubblier and less fluffy than I'm used to.  It's not quite black, although I would chalk that up to the raspberry at first guess.  There's a lot of earth in the flavor, and some chocolate.  And coffee, but that almost goes without saying.  I was expecting something much more sour, but it's a rounded bitter with just a touch of sweetness.  Those raspberries are not the shining stars of this stout.  A tanginess does develop over time, although the beer stays well within regular stout territory in feel.

Supplier: Espuma
Price: €2.89

A tale wakening more

“I think you know I cannot let this offer pass,” I said solemnly.  He winked and bowed, as if he were a playful dog.  I felt more and more comfortable in my choice.  If he could not help me, if he was the clumsy clown he appeared, there could be no harm done.  I could refuse any demand of payment because he would not fulfill my request.  If, on the other hand, he could help me...then whatever he asked might be worth paying.

“You should be more careful with your dress when you go about your business.  You are no pig keeper; you can keep your clothes in better order than you do.  I have heard the one you dream about praise such care.”

“And criticise my carelessness?”

“Well, no,” he seemed to muse, trying to remember what he had seen and heard.  He lay down at the fire, crossed his paws like a great hunting dog and stared off into nothing.  “As I said, many have spoken your name, but not all.  I fear you are not in this mind.  It is, in some ways, a good thing, for you do not have to cleanse the thoughts of you, only give pleasant ones.  That is surely an easier task for all concerned.”

“Well I will keep this advice in mind tomorrow.  I have things to do in the main square, and surely I will be seen.  Do you care to have your tea now?”

And Vulk laughed and laughed, throwing his head back and lolling his tongue.  I thought it had been only polite to ask.  I was offended that he laughed so hard.

“Young one, I told you clearly that tea was not what I would ask of you.  You must learn to listen more carefully.  That is also advice to forge your link with your beloved.”  He winked and I felt shame at my mistake.

“But wait,” I said with suspicion,”How do you know I was not offering out of mere habit and good manners?”

He smirked, clear in spite of his bristling fur, and answered with scorn, “Your face tells more than you might think, my dear.  That is another thing to be careful of in the future.  I do not want your tea, nor will I.  I will take my leave now, in fact.  Yes, I will require something of you in due time, but I will ask with clarity.  You will know without any doubt at all when I make a request.”

I did not want to be left without a clear answer about my beloved, but I was not sorry to see him go.  Even when he helps Vulk is an uncomfortable presence.

The next morning I rose and set about to do my tasks in the square.  I was careful with my dress and with my hair setting.  I did my best to appear a thoughtful and cleanly minded person.  I made my purchases and I said my hellos and goodbyes, and I kept both eyes open, but no dreamt of face appeared to me.  I went home with leaden heart, in much less pain than I thought I would be.  I was young and believed I felt things true.

There was no visit that night, nor any other for many months.  I began to think that I had dreamed it all.  My care must have fallen though I was not of a mind to notice it, nor my friends of a mind to tell me.  Perhaps they did not notice either.  They all had their own dreams and wondrous plans in mind.  But then one dark evening, when I was brooding, ignored and unseen to beloved eyes, the shadow returned.

“Oh dear, you have returned to your former state, even worse perhaps.”

I jumped, as the voice was behind me, and I was settled against the wall.  On my feet I turned, tipped the stool, and saw the blank stone that sheltered me every night.  To the fire I looked, anxious and disgruntled, and yes he was there like a sleepy house cat.  He was more like a cat than a dog this time, no, like the jungle cats the travelers tell us of.  Lean, sleek, oozing more menace than a snake under wooden steps.  And of course he was smiling.  But I was young and I thought I was strong.

“I took great care for many days, but saw no reward.  It was a waste of time.  There must be something else I should do that will bring my beloved’s attention to me.”

“I see you are a dense one.  Do you really think that one or two days of fine dress are enough?  Everyone wants to be coupled with a constant and careful pair, not one who looks only for rewards and prizes.  The care is the reward in itself.”

“But it is not.  It is work for no reason.  I would stay in my natural state, but for a washing, if it were up to me.”

“Ah, you are young and you think you are honest.”

Grinning teeth cut my soul to pieces, for although I did believe I was right about myself, I knew he was as well.  I fell silent and to planning my dress for the next days.  He moved not a jot.  Maybe we spent hours there without a sound or a stirring.  Finally I raised my eyes to his and asked, “Is there truly nothing else for me to do?  Wander around like a painted doll is your only advice?”

“Oh no, young one, my darling,” he rose to his pointed feet, “ There is much more that can be done, but all things in their proper moment.  You are not yet steady in your first steps and you want to jump over mountains.”

I think I made my face grim.  “Can I offer you anything?” I said.

“So polite,” he replied and left without another word.

kinda late

I stopped in at Cervecissimus for a pint, which was not to become a favorite...sour beers aren't much my thing even now.  But, there was something that made up for the trip on the shelves - an imperial oatmeal stout, Chocolate Sexy.  If only I'd come across it last week!  Woulda been the perfect match for V-day.  Oh well, every beer's a match every day if you have some creativity.

It gives off a wonderful whiff of dark chocolate when the cap comes off, and the beer looks more chocolatey than licoricey, with a dark brown rather than straight black color.  Head isn't too impressive, but it does manage a covering for a while.  It's not nearly as sweet as the label might lead you to believe, it has sort of a mellow bitterness to it, with the common coffee in the background.  The flavor is subtle, there's a hint of toast and earth but just a bare hint, and while there's a presence that collects at the back of the tongue, it's less an aftertaste and more the sensation of having just swallowed sticking around.  The oatmeal might give this beer more smoothness and body than it would otherwise have, a plus in my opinion.

Supplier: Cervecissimus
Price €4

ah, memories

Yeah, when I saw that label I knew that beer was coming home with me.  It's a happy coincidence that it's a Baltic Porter to boot, but Naparbier's Horse Rider could have been anything and that punny image would have been worth it.  I don't know if the reverse centaur riding on a regular centaur would have been funnier...nah, probably not.  This is just the right WTF when you look at it.  It's also a little fitting for me after V day, since it reminds me to do things I love so I can love myself.  All love starts with the self, really.  And who wouldn't love riding off on a horse like that?

Yeeee-hah!

It's just perfect looking in the glass, all dark and heavy, like liquid pudding.  The pudding part is only enhanced by the aroma, slightly sweet, chocolatey, but with a little bitter kick.  So a dark chocolate pudding, I guess.  It's more nutty and smokey than I expected, but definitely thick and mouth-filling.  While the typical coffee is clear in the background, I am pleased not to find the hint of licorice that has been so common.  It's a very solid and regular beer, maintaining the flavor profile and weight throughout the glass.  While sometimes it's fun to have some discoveries in the middle of a bottle, it's also quite nice to have something you enjoy be the same kind of enjoyable from start to finish.  Just a simple good porter, here.

Supplier: Birra y Paz
Price: €4.50

currant affair

Stick with red beers for now?  How about a black currant lambic?  I do love black currant juice, or "nectar", so it could very well be a delight.  Lindemans has surprised me in the past with a delicious peach lambic, so I'm not too apprehensive.  Black currants are something of a delicacy for Americans, because apparently we are not allowed to grow black currants.  They aren't native plants and as an imported species they have a tendency to disrupt the environment they grow in.  Either that or they're so tasty the mighty berry lobbies have been keeping them away out of terror of competition.

It looks very much like other popular red lambics, a much brighter color than currant juice to my recollection.  It has an almost astringent aroma, so that's different from the others.  The taste is subtle at first, and even when it comes out it's not exactly overwhelming.  It is a little heavy, sort of a sour candy more than fruit syrup.  I find it gets a little scratchy after a number of sips, almost like some citrus heavier NEIPAs.  Fortunately, it doesn't go the way of cherry or raspberry lambics with a heavier and stickier feel over time, staying fairly light despite the sweetness. 

Supplier: Birra y Paz
Price: €2.85

no need for repellant

So it's the first day of February, what would be appropriate for the occasion?  Something chocolatey?  Maybe save that for a little later.  Ah, a red IPA!  Happy and bright, it was just Chinese New Year so there was red stuff all over the metro station in the Chinese neighborhood, seems like a good start.  Not to mention Red Moskito sounds like the way the disappointed would think of the focus of the month.  It's "xtreme" hopped too, so just as bitter as any recent heartbreak.  Or not so recent I guess.

While it looks a little light pouring out, once in the glass it does have a nice caramel color.  Bright, citrusy hop aroma.  Head is fluffy, off white, foams up nicely at first, but dies back quickly.  The first impression is one of typical IPAs, a lot of fruit, in particular tropical, with a touch of mandarin.  But, a heavier bitterness lurks just in the background, leaving the edges of the drink not completely smooth.  It's really much smoother and friendlier overall than one might think from the name, or even from an "xtreme hopped" ale.  Although lighter than other red beers, it does have a rusty essence and a warmth that make the title a fitting one, and a subtle sweetness that fit the month. 

Supplier: La Buena Cerveza
Price: €3.79