CATALONIA has an intentionally overt independent streak. It's Spain, but it's not Spain, the flag is red and yellow, but Jorge becomes Jordi and there's a fair few red crosses on white backgrounds knocking about.
Aside from its fervent seperatism, it is famed for football – particularly the artist exponents of the sport in the Camp Nou, Barcelona. In fact, craft beer would probably be well down the list – if on it at all – of things which the Catalans have mastered.
So it was not without a certain trepidation that we popped open an ample bottle of amber ale Balate, kindly supplied by Prohibition, which comes in at a manageable 4.5 per cent abv.
The first thing you notice about it is the bottle itself – it holds 750ml and looks more like a vessel for sherry or port. But as the beer glugs out, there is no doubt about the content. The shape doesn't allow for a smooth pour and all that chugging contributes to a big fluffy white head, but it certainly looks the part – a kind of light amber colour.
There's a sweet toffee-aroma and that sweetness is obvious in the first taste. But quite a few more flavours pitch up to the party after that. There's a tart, citrus note and a nicely rounded fruitiness to it with delicate bitter finish.
It could serve as a nice alternative to a bottle of wine. Think a terrace on Las Ramblas, a plate of crispy calamari with a light salad and bottle of Balate between yourself and your lucky guest. Would go just as well with a few crab claws in Carlingford too.
:: ANOTHER 'challenge should you choose to accept it' one and Bullhouse Brewery have bottled a batch of their limited edition Quest for the Milky Whey stout which went down a storm at the ABV Festival at the start of September. It's a 10 per cent abv imperial stout, first brewed in March and aged in a Bourbon, Olorosso Sherry and Irish Whiskey barrel for seven months.
Bullhouse brewer Willie Mayne has released just 500 bottles this week so seek it out, drink it or age it a bit longer and toast a fine first year for the brilliant Newtownards-based brewer.
