fluttery

I decided I would ask for guidance in my most representative of craft beers, and as expected I came away with an IPA.  Not just any IPA, though, a DDH oat IPA!  Sexy Sadie is the product of a collaboration between La Quince and Subterfuge Records, a new one on me.  I have come across beers made in honor of bands or other art related things before, so it's not really a surprise.  I was actually worried that sours were going to take over from IPAs in popularity, but it sounds like the available variety may be protecting its status as premier craft beer. 

Very cloudy and orangey straw colored, good whiff of IPA citrus.  Not overly abundant head, but clean and bright looking.  Very much like a NEIPA, fruity and juicy.  Despite the cloudiness, it's a very smooth beer, I kind of assume it's due to the oats.  It's not an especially heavy mouthful although it does make itself noticed.  The background of bitterness gets more upfront over time, although the primary flavor is still the citrus with a touch of sweet.

Supplier: La Buena Cerveza

Price:€5.90

room for one more

A quick break from chats, but not a time for sittin' around!  There is other research to be done.  It would be nice if I were in a cushy, air conditioned library to do it, but I also enjoy my music and my drinks, so I guess I don't quite want to make that trade.  I checked out La Buena Cerveza's new digs; not bad at all.  It's more focused on the bar part, much like Cervezarama tried in its last incarnation, and like La Tienda de la Cerveza and The Beer Garden have been doing for a while.  Still have a wall of take-away beers behind the bar, though.  And one of those beers, right in the middle of those unsummery black ones, La Quince (and Guineu) Vanilla Red Velvet.  They've done a number of variations on that Vanilla Black Velvet that I was so taken with years ago - chocolate and hazelnut if not more - and all quite nice, so I have no misgivings about a new member of the family.

It pours out very smoothly, only gradually building up a respectable dark beige head.  I thought it might be a little lighter than other versions with the "red" part, but it looks as black as any of the others.  The aroma is not overly strong, a slight stouty smoke and earthiness, but not very much.  There might be just a whisper of plum.  The flavor is much sweeter than I expected, and a very light sweetness.  I'm reminded of cherry colas, actually.  While I do love me a Cherry Coke, I'm not sure I would say that's what I want from a beer, much less a stout.  A couple of sips reveal a touch of bitter, but no more than that.  It doesn't take long to build up some body either, just a couple of minutes in a warm room.  It's still awfully light for a stout, a Russian Imperial Stout at that, in my opinion, but I'm sure there are many who would shy away from it, especially in summer.  Their loss, says I!

Supplier: La Buena Cerveza

Price: €6.10

summer citrus mix

When summer comes in full force it can influence certain decisions you make.  Like, what kind of refreshment you might take on a shimmery evening.  I was also looking for something reflecting 19th century tastes in beer, which were still fairly soft drink-y, so Sevebrau's Radler was just the perfect fit.  When I took it up to the counter the proprietor said, "You know that's a radler, right?"  How they know me and my heavy, dark tastes.  I reassured her that it had a purpose and off I went with it.

It's a very light color and practically crystal clear.  The lemon is noticeable immediately in the aroma, which is kind of soda-like, but definitely less sugar-backed.  It's more of a natural or organic lemonade scent.  The flavor is right in line with that, very lemon soda-y, although a grainy lager taste comes through almost in the aftertaste.  It's very light feeling, clean as befitting the appearance, and while the flavor is identifiable and not weak at all, it isn't overwhelming in any way.  It's a very relaxing drink, one that goes quite well with temperatures that we get warned about on the weather apps.  It also has a traditional sort of feel, something that doesn't have to try too hard to be noticed, like many German lagers have.  Years ago I tried one of Seve's early lagers and commented that it was a real reminder of those lagers in Germany.  He was pleased to hear it.  I think he'd be pleased to hear that the Radler continues that tradition.

Supplier: Birra Y Paz

Price: €3.25

i invite you to depart

More learning afoot and beers to match...more or less.  It's not super hard to find loopholes, as you know if you've seen Beermas.  Something that represents old tastes in the peninsula?  Well, Belgian styles obviously, sour or table beer of you're going ancient.  It would probably be more fitting to not have beer at all, seeing as it was hardly a beverage of the people until quite recently, so cider, sherry, and of course wine would be appropriate.  But, I like my beer!  So, Nah I'mma Stay Belgian Wit it is.  It is a Spanish beer at least, coming from La Textil in Barcelona.  Maybe I should have gone for Dougall's as a representative of Cantabria.  Oh well, there's always next time.

A surprising color, but very appetizing since I love my red fruits.  Dry and slightly sour aroma, like a lot of fruit beers.  Flowery and hardly sweet at all, also much less sour than I was expecting.  Tiny kick at the end, but it's mostly smooth and almost yogurty.  There's no big change if you let the beer warm up a bit, it might feel a little bit stickier.  But, the flavor remains light and refreshing, with very natural touches of plantiness.  Although not super bubbly, my impression is mostly that of an organic soda, unsweetened, rather than any style of beer.  It's enough for me for a summer evening in an oven of a city.

Supplier: La Buena Cerveza

Price: €3.30