old fashioned diet watcher

It's still regular summer temperatures, but somehow it's worse than what it was before.  Maybe because we can't marvel at the numbers, so we just sit and suffer as usual.  As much as I like my stouts (and there will be some more) it is a good set of conditions for lighter beers, especially ales, and pale ales at that.  Just before Cervecissimus closed up shop for their summer vacation I picked up a new one for me, (full flavored) Pale Ale from 28 Brewery.  Their little blurb on the back gives some history to the brand, saying it was already in existence in 1842, and their website says they were established "100 years ago".  Later they say 1912 is the year they expanded from the basis of their most successful (I guess) beer, Perle 28.  Interestingly, it's touted as a low-carb beer, which is not something craft beers have paid much attention to.  There must be a time for everything.

For such a light colored beer it has a powerful aroma.  It's plenty ale-y too, with good notes of citrus and fruit, not a lot of more traditional elements.  The head doesn't disappear completely, but it does die back pretty quick.  The flavor is on the oddly sour side, with just a bit of bitter chasing it down.  It's generally clean, but there's a touch of astringency too, trying to clean up after.  There isn't much grain or bread, and the bitterness has more of a healthy fruit sensation to it than regular old beer bitter.  I'm not sure if I notice any particular lightness to it, but maybe if I focused on this line of beers I would find myself with less of a beer belly, you know, magically.

Supplier: Cervecissimus

Price: €3

something missing?

Once there was a beer store on a street of bars.  It boasted chocolate and jelly along with a fairly eclectic selection of beers.  It was called The Beer Garden, although there wasn't even street seating.  Then, not long ago, they moved house, to c/Juan de Austria 23.  Now there is more space inside to sit and partake of the many beers they have, on tap and in the bottle.  Still don't have a garden, though.

When I arrived it was early, and there were two groups of adults with a baby in each group, one upstairs and one at the bar.  No escape.  I figured I would be better off upstairs, with a little more space.  I ordered my beer first, Birrificio Pontino Cryo Runner Ale.  Glass and peanuts in hand, I went up.

Cryo Runner Ale is listed as a NEIPA, but it's a lot less cloudy than the ones I've seen before.  It's also less pungent.  The taste is quite smooth, though, hinting at citrus and never letting loose with a punch of bitterness.  Even the salt-dusted peanuts couldn't draw out sharper, harsher flavors.  It's similar to a lot of more recent IPAs and APAs in that there is a fruitiness in it that is a lot more delicate than what we've come to expect from a craft IPA.  The heavy hoppiness is absent and the flavor is more subtle, and perhaps more summery.  It would be welcomed by those who find IPAs too bitter, but still want the essence of the tropics they can evoke, as opposed to plain ol' lager.

Oops...hey, bartender

The place is fun, with a carefully careless style of decoration.  The music is of interesting, retro/classic selection, although maybe a tad loud if you're looking to have a quiet conversation.  Just be careful with some of the chairs.  Their joints seem to need some attention.

Some record collection, but the phone has the playlist

Have silent contemplation you will not

no, no tomatoes

It's still time for stouts I say, it's only early spring...ah, who am I kidding, it's always time for stout in my book.  Italian beers do not figure prominently on the shelves, so I can't resist the possible newness either.

It has the good black color, and a milk chocolatey head, not especially odorous.  Getting close to the beer you can get a whiff of sour milky stout.  The first taste gives a dark chocolate punch, with a sort of toasty follow-up.  This really isn't a very bitter stout, although it is hardy and strong flavored.  The taste has a somewhat higher note than I normally associate with stouts, but certainly not unpleasant.  As is often the case, it does build up the sweetness with some time, but it's a very mild mild sort of sweet.  Rather than coffee, I'm going with mocha as the defining flavor for this beer.  It is tasty, perhaps a bit heavy for a warmer day...nah, that wouldn't stop me at all.  I think I couldn't quite get behind a spaghetti dinner with it, though.  A nice tiramisu might hit the spot. 

Supplier: Birra y Paz
Price:€5

take a shot

Something I've noticed about craft beers and their brewers is that they show a great willingness to collaborate.  It's nice to see such a thirst (ha!) for experimentation and blending different perspectives and traditions, or maybe just creating new traditions.  The label on this bottle is in Danish, but the other brewery on it is Italian.  Something interesting.  After so many recent dark beers, it seemed like time to seek out something light for a change.  Could Cream Ale be the alcoholic equivalent of cream soda?  That would be different.  The label is a little threatening, though...

Wheat in one gun and hops in the other (but the bottle isn't wide enough to show both)

It's a very pale color with as beery a head as anyone could ask for.  The ale smell is faint, but promising.  The bitter comes first, spreading over the tongue, with a very smooth and mild base, that brings sort of an afterthought of sweetness.  There is something rather like a cream soda in it, bubbly and smooth with a vaguely dairy feeling background, but pleasantly unsweetened.