from the north

Since we still have to be careful of distances, a lot of places encourage take-out and delivery still.  That includes bars.  While some bars back home are prepared to just can away and send off their product, there aren't that many bars or brew pubs in Madrid that picked that up.  The only one I know that cans is Fábrica Maravillas, and they don't can for you from their taps as far as I know.  Several bars started giving out growlers as soon as they were allowed to reopen their doors, keeping up contact with the clientele.  Welcome it was, and a little hampered by space restrictions, they've kept doing it.  Cervecería Drakkar is a small space to begin with, in a corner of Mercado Vallehermoso.  It's a place to keep in mind if you're looking for a good black beer, since they commonly have Scandinavian or Baltic stuff on their taps.  There was only one this time, a Norwegian porter, Dark Orbit.  One's enough for me though!

It might have been jostled a little on the way home, so the head was extra thick, but there was no spray or explosion.  No waste!  The aroma is a mix of nutty and smoky, with a touch of sweetness.  The taste has a lot of smoke, however, ranging into the barbecue buddy beer.  No nutty flavor, but there is a small hint of sugary aftertaste.  It's remarkably light for the strong flavor, no syrupy bogging down at all.  It's one of those porters that doesn't go so nicely with a sweeter snack, though, I would want something saltier.  Might bring out a little nuttiness then, more complexity.  While fine for sipping and movie watching, it's also workable for keeping conversation animated.  A beer much more to my taste than the last one.