In July we went to Galicia on our return to Spain Brewery Subscription, a region known worldwide for the traveling spirit of its inhabitants that has made them live all over the planet and take their culture everywhere. With a delicious gastronomy where seafood, fish, beef, cheeses such as tetitlla or succulent stews such as pork shoulder with turnip greens stand out.
It is also a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people every year, it has a dreamlike landscape of green fields, lush forests and impressive beaches.
Galicia also has a craft movement in full swing, new proposals from small breweries in villages and rural communities do not stop coming out, it also has some of the most prestigious and valued brands and, in addition, you can see projects very interesting based on Km 0 products, on the use of local hops and organic ingredients. Here we wanted to bring a sample of all this interesting and authentic Galician beer panorama.
ALLEALE
#SomosBosque, Cervecera AleAlé is a Galician brewery that produces natural and honest beers, alive, without additives or preservatives. Its origin dates back to 2011 in Barcelona in a 16th-century farmhouse where they began their first fermentations and had the honor of receiving visits from the great Steve Huxley, who instilled in them, even more so, the unconditional love for this ancient drink. In 2018 they got to work with their first artisan beertruck in all of Galicia, a fun challenge that allowed them to reach different cities in the region, accompanied by quality food, collaborating with local producers. Later they settled in La Coruña, where they have continued since then to shape their recipes and produce them in a nomadic way in collaboration with other breweries.
From AleAlé we select their masterpieces, Guaguancó Juicy IPA and Pomelo Blonde Ale:
- Guaguancó Juicy IPA: A tasty, fruity, tropical and intense beer. With a soft and silky drink thanks to the oats used in its preparation. If you try this beer, think that it is a natural product, without any added chemicals, with organic malts, a local product without hundreds or thousands of kilometers behind it. Very marked and refreshing tropical aroma and flavor. Mango and stone fruit notes, light body and silky mouthfeel with medium body.
- Líbera Sokram Grapefruit Blonde Ale: Very refreshing beer, with an intense and fresh citrus aroma, with natural grapefruit extract and dry hop based on citra and cascade hops. Light body and low bitterness, with an orange, pale, cloudy appearance and with white foam. Made with organic malts.
Galician Brew
“Since 2015 making authentic beers”, the Galician Brew is synonymous with rock&roll, attitude and irreverence. Located in Padróns, Ponteareas (Pontevedra), a rural area where they have their farm, in addition to the winery, having their own spring water and hops authorized by the REAGA, using only natural products to make their beers, which have been recognized with prizes in international competitions such as Iberian Awards and Barcelona Beer Challenge. The brewery has the experience of Isabel Vieitez, the brewmaster and product manager of Galician Brew, and images of the great designer David Lages, one of the best Galician designers.
From Galician Brew we chose two beers, their award-winning Curuxa Kombu Pale Ale and Sabela Irish Red:
- Curuxa Kombu Pale Ale: the perfect creation of the Umami flavor in beer, made with Alga Kombu Atlántica in collaboration with Algamar, a Galician company specializing in the marketing of algae. A full, balanced and original beer with interesting nutritional properties. High in fiber, protein, iodine, magnesium, potassium and calcium, with anti-inflammatory and satiating effects. Learn about its properties at algamar.com.
- Sabela Irish Red: roasted beer, sweet flavor with caramel, toffee and roasted malts. On the palate it is often quite neutral and grainy, or can take on a slightly toasty or biscuity note towards the end. Medium-light to medium body, an easy drinking beer with subtle flavors.
Jakobsland Brewers
“We will stop the world to live with you”. Jakobsland Brewers was born in 2012, when two friends, Fran and Henlo, wanted to further their curiosity about craft beer.They built their own pilot 70-litre brewing system at Fran's father's company, and began brewing their first recipes. Their products quickly became popular, in 2016 the Jakobsland Brewers company was registered to start producing on a larger scale, the name dates back to the years of the Viking invasions in Galicia in the 11th century, Scandinavian sources from the 12th century narrate those times in his sagas, referring to Jakobsland, the land of Santiago, when he relates the Viking expeditions in Galician lands. In 2017, Jakobsland became one of the best newcomer brewers according to bloggers and specialized magazines, and has since positioned itself among the top 10 Spanish independent brewers rated by Untapped. Henlo Matthee Swart and Fran Vaquero Rodriguez are the co-founders and owners.
For the July selection we chose their To Whom It May Concern Breakfast Stout and Xigantes IPA:
- To Whom It May Concern Breakfast Stout: a seasonal beer brewed with high quality cocoa, great selection coffee along with oat malts, roasted malts and smoked malts, and a touch of milk sugar for creaminess for the perfect breakfast cup! With 7.8%, it has barley and oat malt, it contains Lactose, Coffee, Cocoa and Vanilla.
- Xigantes IPA: a West Coast IPA with a great aroma of hops full of citrus and pine notes. With 6.6% alcohol, quite juicy and tasty.
Cervexa Nos
“Our essence is to surround ourselves with the best human team possible”. Cervexa Nós began in 2013, when two lovers of quality beer from Vigo decided to turn their passion into their way of life. Raúl and Xulio are the co-founders of the brewery and, tired of their jobs, they decided to abandon their routine and start the exciting brewing project, starting a small warehouse in the Concello de Mos. In 2015, they opened the Casco Vello brewery and a year later, they opened the Rúa Fisterra brewery, taking over from a mythical Vigo brewery (La Burner). Currently, the brewery is already made up of 13 people and its desire is to grow more and more without losing its passion for beer.
For the selection we chose their Orixinal Dubbel and American Lager:
- Orixinal Belgian Dubbel: Complex and richly sweet malt aromas, with hints of caramel and/or toast, as well as moderate fruit esters (raisins and plums). Dark amber to copper color with an attractive reddish depth, flavor through a complex interaction of malt, esters, alcohol and phenols (raisin, dried fruit or clove flavors).
- American Lager: a very pale straw colored beer, white foam that rarely persists and very clear. A very pale, highly carbonated, light-bodied, well-attenuated lager with a very neutral flavor profile and low bitterness. Very refreshing and thirst quenching, flavored beer with a clean character. Perfect for high temperatures!