Birraire - Beer Blog

Five months ago, a piece of news caused a stir: Damm launches an IPA . A similar move, albeit much more daring, than the one by San Miguel with their Manila in December 2017, or Moritz's move when launching Red IPA at the beginning of 2016. In the same line, after a period during which they have been launching several limited edition beers under the series ' Ambiciosas ', Ámbar hopped on the bandwagon with their IPA , announcing it just two days later than Damm. April was certainly full of excitement. "And now what? Let's keep on working, innovating and growing"

The other day I received a remarkably big shipment, corresponding to my reward for contributing to the crowdfunding project organised by Cervesa Montseny. Coinciding with its tenth anniversary, they wanted to take another step forward by presenting some of their beers canned, and to finance the whole thing they resorted to their followers. I was enjoying one Lupulus can - by the way, big change eh? - when I began pondering about everything that has happened during all this time , so that I could be at home drinking that specific variety of beer so utterly fresh; in that format that a few years before was associated with cheap, poorly tasting beer; and in a glass with a relevant symbolic charge. I took a picture, and then I started writing. “Specialised bars make a huge mistake: moving away from local beer”

When we learned of the acquisition of a stake in Nómada Brewing Co by Grupo Mahou-San Miguel , it was not difficult to imagine that  a new scenario for the entire local brewing industry was about to start. As expected by some of us, it was a matter of time until we knew of further acquisitions by the big guys - La Virgen by ABI, Sagra by MolsonCoors - but possibly one of the side effects that has immediately begun to be noticeable is a decrease in the price of beer. "Who benefits from the new margin created by the drop of wholesale prices in beer?"

Première of Arriaca's cans at the Barcelona Beer Festival 2016. A year ago, Arriaca surprised us all with the launch of their beer in cans . Rubia, IPA and Vikingathor - a Boris Brew beer now made by San Frutos - were presented as the first canned Spanish craft beers, and gained much attention and praise: for the format, of course, but also for its quality. Nevertheless, I am bewildered to observe that the thing that seemed to me most revolutionary about it has been overlooked by most comments even one year later. "The price of our beer is increasingly lower, even when it gives more likes and visits to say the opposite "

Taken from my mailbox last week. I'd better not show you my email inbox... I read with interest about Tempest Brewing Co's future plans  in The BeerCast. I met a good part of their team while preparing their Meet the Brewer session at the Barcelona Beer Festival in 2016, and I enjoyed some varieties of their beers. After all, it does not come as a surprise that they are doing well. However, the thing that leads me to write the present post is the initial reflection by colleague writer Rich Taylor, and what actually reveals the disclosure of this information by the Scottish brewery: a growing tendency to communicate on internal affairs and strategies . A good transparency exercise. "In these changing times of breweries controlled by investment funds, effective communication with the consumer is key"

Let's get it on. This guy's up for a feast. Not even half a week after publishing, my previous post has already become obsolete . Just like last year, it seems we will keep reading the economy press, as AB In-Bev is still hungy and has recently launched a new message of ambition to the European market. In December 2016 they announced the landing of Goose Island pubs - at least in the UK -, but just yesterday we could read that their last move was the buyout of Cervezas La Virgen - Spain -, through the investment fund ZX Ventures. "AB InBev has some work ahead. We can expect profound changes"

Despite the almost absolute absence of posts during most of last year, I have been just as connected to the beer world as in previous years. That has allowed me to continue visiting places and talking with people, exchange opinions and experiences, drink lots of interesting beer and, of course, reflect on the industry, its direction and the evolution of our local scene . The previous one has been a very complete year; full of everything. It is for this exact reason that I chose to start posting in 2017 with a review of all those events and trends we have witnessed. Which at the very least will make us remember 2016 as a significant year . "Consumers enjoy a better quality and variety on their glasses; in the long run we will better assess what this concentration means for the industry"

Even before having the chance to try out the new batch of Nómada beers, we get some first developments in relation to its already known and discussed partial acquisition by Grupo Mahou-San Miguel. In a similar way to the decision by Cantillon to exclude Birra del Borgo of their Quintessence 2016 programme some weeks ago, the organisers of the Mostra de la Cervesa Artesana de Mediona -Ales Agullons- have decided not to include Nómada Brewing Co. within the list of breweries in its eleventh edition. After having participated uninterruptedly since 2012, this can be read as the result of their partnership with the big Spanish brewing group.div> "By partisanship, interests or just for the sake of controversy, let us not turn disagreements into conflict"

There have been lots of written comments and discussions about mergers and acquisitions of microbreweries by the industry giants lately. It is still too early to assess whether, in the long term, this recent phenomenon will favour or go against the interests of each one of us. There is one thing we can declare, though: the trend has not reversed. At all. "Two years ago, Nómada regarded their not having own premises as a hallmark of freedom" Some locals consider the industry matters that happen in other countries and beer scenes as a distant debate: be it for magnitude, technical development or geography. However, the fact is that the interconnections with other areas and cultures are many today. For instance, we have already seen our first local Fruit IPAs, one of the current beer trends in the United States. And there are more to come. Another example? A freshly-baked one for you. Just yesterday, an open secret was officially confirmed : Nómada Brewing C...

It was at the birthday celebration of Xavi Serra, manager at Cervesa Guineu , that I met Jesus Díaz Meco, sales representative of Caves Nadal , a family business that produces wines and sparkling wines in the small village of Torrelavit (Alt Penedès). After having a good time eating and drinking, for once, wine instead of beer, Jesús was kind enough to invite me to an annual celebration that is held in the property of Nadal: Tastos i Maridatges 2015 ( Tastings and Pairings ). It was a great event. Both white wines and sparkling wines were lovely. Plus, the event was a real treat for the good organisation, the delicious food available and the privileged environment provided by the courtyard of the property.     "We lack specialty, but above all we need to believe in what we're doing; and to transmit this confidence to the market"     

Many months ago I received some criticism for sharing in social networks a picture with which I expressed my joy for having found a five-pack Chimay Bleue with its respective gift chalice, at a price that seemed to amply repay my investment in money. The complaint was motivated by the fact that I made the purchase in a supermarket, causing therefore a disservice to small businesses, according to the offended parties. I did not want to create controversy, I don't like yellow blogging, so the matter was settled quickly. Personally, while I feel more aligned with the need and the important social role of small local shops, I think that personal circumstances must not be ignored before making any judgment. Let's not forget that this is a perfectly respectable consumption decision. "Beer retailers should play the role of curators: create a differential offer according to their judgement of what's best for their customers"

I meet my sister in a family reunion after her last trip to Japan. I see that she's carrying a bag with two beer bottles, and I feel a mix of excitement and fear: two easy-to-find beers like Sapporo or Kirin could have travelled 15 long hours by plane to be barely enjoyed by an ungrateful beery soul. Then I realise I kind of know the beers, but not quite. My little japanese souvenir consists of a Grand Kirin  and a  Grand Kirin Hop Fruity . Doubtlessly, a response by the Asiatic giant to the new trend of beers that has also docked in that faraway island. With loads of curiosity, after some time I proceed to taste them. Both beers come in these odd small and wide bottles, with a broad top that lets the beer almost fall out of it when you pour it. The only decipherable words on the label highlight concepts like "speciality", "premium", "pride", "passion" or "craftmanship". Nothing out of the shamefully ordinary. I think that co...