Beer bloggers, the world over, I reflect upon quandry #1… “what possible reason is there for travelling the globe to sample, er, beer?” I can’t just say “beer” to my partner – so one can invent excuses, like ‘playing Bridge with mates’, ‘a business trip’, or ‘an important football game’. I don’t even like football. But I do like other seasonal pursuits… like Maestro’s winter ale, 9.1° – at this strength, you’d expect a barley wine, but this is a smooth, malty amber ale: fit for a Barcelona winter.
As you can see from the tasting glasses, there’s a good range to chose from. And their method of brewing is quite conventional. Indeed, beer craft has migrated well from northern European countries (as per my blog yesterday) – these guys set up shop only 3 months ago, commissioned by the ‘Maestro’ from northern France, whose son owns the joint, married to a local lass. Visiting Barcelona? This place is MUST.
Beer is brewed, bottled, and served on the premises. Tapas are made, displayed, & consumed here too – a great bar with lots of atmosphere. The home-made meat pie will melt any Australian or Cornish heart – clearly a pastie of Celtic origin. But select also the anchovies – beautifully offset with the 5.0° Stout… nutty as you like, a meal in itself.
So, when my partner asks me where I’ve been, I could tell her that I saw Messi score a free kick, or I could say, “aren’t you glad I went on business to Barcelona this week, instead of later this week when the Beer Festival is here?”. Either way, the dude survives….
back of the ferry 