water!

It might be a good idea to stock up on some beers, just in case there are store vacations.  In fact, I just found out Birra Y Paz and Cervecissimus will be having some days off this month.  I rolled down to the former to see what I could find to keep the whistle wet, and they were having a small sale to empty the fridges as much as possible.  6 cans of IPA for a total of €30.30.  It's a small discount, but it is something.  The one before me now is Nib Brewing's Virgin Waters, an American IPA specifically.  I do like Nib, they might be my favorite of Madrid's gypsy brewers, by association I suppose.

It's a darker shade of gold, but still translucent, with a clean white head that puffs up on pouring but dies down fast.  While there's a little citrus in the aroma, it's more pine and bitter spices.  Caraway, maybe.  The feeling is like a dissolved jello, smooth and very drinkable, although it does weigh down the tongue a little bit.  The flavor is also somewhat piney with a more citrusy aftertaste.  It's not quite as bright and happy as hOptical, for instance, but it's a solid IPA.  For those who long for something a little more traditional it might be a good choice.

Supplier: Birra Y Paz

Price: €6.15

Door #21

After a couple of splendidly seasonal stouts, I'll try something a little more colorful.  Nib Brewing is a local gypsy brewer, connected to our friends at La Tienda de la Cerveza.  Their Berliner Weisse Cherry Bomb certainly has the look of a Christmas beer.  Well, maybe only halfway since it's only red.  But, it is a light, fun, and different beer to try, one that I was told would be a very easy drink and pleasant to hang with.  It's maybe less flexible than Glotona, the beer for every single activity, but as a refreshing weisse it won't weigh you down or fill you up before food or another beer.  Let's see how it goes.

It's just like a glass of cherry 7-Up, although it's probably less bubbly.  Also, it doesn't smell at all like 7-Up, or any other soda that I'm aware of.  I was expecting something with a fruity kick, but it's really more of a bready aroma.  There is sort of a heavy sweetness in the background, not like candied cherries might be.  It is quite dry, neither especially sour or especially sweet, but with a roundness to the flavor.  It's kind of like a cranberry muffin.  A very organic one.

Patience, patience, something will happen eventually...