OnTap Magazine

WORLD OF BEER CATALONIA CRAFT STATS In 2016, GECAN (Association of Craft and Natural Beer Brewers) and the Barcelona Beer Festival joined forces in producing the report e State of Craft Beer in Catalonia . Investigating the 105 breweries in the region, the study found that three million litres were produced with an average of 40,000 litres per brewery. In total, 901 di erent beers were brewed, making for an endless palette of styles, avours and aromas. brewery’s hometown Barcelona as an international beer destination. “ e sheer volume of visitors means that some stumble on craft beer brewed here and go back talking about the city in craft beer terms. Barcelona is a very attractive city, many brewers from internationally renowned craft breweries will come over to collaborate almost at the drop of a hat.” With more than 100 breweries in Catalonia, there is plenty more to explore and further a eld. Villar-i-Martí recommends in particular, “Guineu for the boldness of their beers and their capacity to innovate; Ales Agullons for the uniqueness of their delicious pale ales and the magic behind their sour beers; and Montseny because they masterly balance a solid beer portfolio with exciting seasonal releases.” A great opportunity for co- operation between breweries and tourism is of course beer festivals. e most substantial is the Barcelona Beer Festival (BBF), one of the most important in Europe with more than 100 taps and around 450 beers. e weekend in March attracts around 32,000 thirsty visitors of which 1,500 take part in the trade events for industry professionals. BBF also hosts the Barcelona Beer Challenge with more than 750 competing beers from around the world. Whilst BBF is impressive, perhaps it lacks a bit of personality. Enter Mediona, arguably one of the most charming craft beer festivals. Organised by brewery Ales Agullons, the one-day event in June attracts breweries and beer fanatics alike to the countryside. One of its visitors this summer, Rachid El Aargoubi from craft beer bar Lorien in Palma de Mallorca, says; “You can listen to live music by local bands, re ll at one of the food trucks, and meet the brewers. Mediona is small and wild: a great party!” Another highlight is La Fira del Poblenou, an open-air festival in Barcelona with around 200 craft beers plus live music and DJs, tutored tastings and food trucks. Also here, brewers have the chance to compete in the National Beer Championships, which recognises the best beers in Spain. Impressively, La Fira had more than 30,000 visitors this year and one of its organisers, Luciano Cukar, says; “the growing numbers re ect not only how well we are performing as a festival but also the interest of consumers in the craft beer market.” With these festivals and many more events, over 100 breweries in Catalonia and also more than 80 beer bars in Barcelona alone, there are lots of beery discoveries awaiting – to go with that fantastic food of course. MALIN’S TOP FIVE EDGE BREWING Apassionada (4% ABV) Inspired by the hot summers of Barcelona, this Berliner Weisse balances passion fruit with a juicy tartness. Also try Hoptimista IPA, voted one of the world’s top 50 new beers in 2014. QUER BEER Xili vs Mango (6% ABV) Stunning American Pale Ale with chili and mango. Typical of Quer Beer, with heaps of flavour. Another one to try is the dangerously delicious Hazelnut & Vanilla Stout. CERVESES LA PIRATA Black Block (11.2% ABV) Described as deep, dark and powerful. This Russian Imperial Stout is complex yet smooth with loads of coffee and chocolate. Possibly the coolest brewery out of the lot. CYCLIC BEER FARM Xino Xano (4% ABV) Another great Berliner Weisse. Tart, tropical and refreshing – the perfect thirst quencher for summer. The brewery also has a taproom, open on Fridays from 5pm to midnight. ANY BEER BY ALES AGULLONS Try any, or all, of them. Martyn Cornell describes this brewery as “a tiny set-up which make an excellent English-style cask ale and also some very fine Belgian-style ales.” 32 | Spring 2018 | ontapmag.co.za