Brewtal Box #035 / JAN 2021 - BASQUELAND BREWING
Founded in 2014 by two Americans (Kevin and Benjamin), Basqueland Brewing (BB) is today one of the most revolutionary breweries the Spanish beer scene. The idea was born while Kevin and Benjamin were having dinner at the restaurant that the former ran in Donosti. They began production without having their own facilities (gypsy brewing) and sold their beers to a handful of establishments, most of them in the Basque capital. His vision from the beginning has been that of a project focused on the craft production of a beer that would stand out for its high quality and its own personality. In 2015, they opened their own factory in Hernani (Basque Country) which led them to the success of a new brand that, in just six years, has managed to have its beers served in all three Michelin star restaurants in the Basque Country and whose fame It has crossed the borders of the Basque Country and Spain, establishing itself in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Portugal, Austria and the USA. BB has been awarded as the best brewery of the year in 2017, 2019 and 2020 in the Spanish Beer Championship.
The design of its labels, by the hand of the illustrator Marcos Navarro ( @marcosnavarroart ) stands out among the many beers available in the market for his colorful illustrations of exotic plants and animals.
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Beer: GRAIN & HUSTLE
Style: Multi-grain IPA
This variant of the India Pale Ale style is not very common and the guys at Basqueland brewed their own version with a blend of malts including Golden Naked Oats, which along with the hop load gives it a fairly balanced and refreshing flavor. It has aromas and notes of plum and melon that in an IPA makes it easy to drink. Its bitterness is remarkable tending to the IPA styles of the west coast of the United States. Its label is really attractive and it will invite you to refresh yourself with this beer that you can marinate very well with a variety of dishes that go from pasta with pomodoro sauce to barbecued meat.
ABV: 5.9%
IBU: 62
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Beer: SANTA CLARA
Style: Lager
The boys from Basqueland complete their portfolio of hop-laden beers with this rather refreshing and light blonde in the style of Helles-style beers from southern Germany (Bavaria). Its name is inspired by the name of the iconic island of Bahía de la Concha in Donosti-San Sebastián. At the same time, its name refers to its clarity! The Basqueland brewmasters take the recipe for the classic Bavarian Lager Helles and modernize it with some more contemporary hops. It has a straw yellow color with a nice white head. Its floral and citrus notes are quite pleasant on the nose, and on the palate it is a light and fresh beer. It is easy to drink and easy to pair, making it ideal to share with all kinds of palates.
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: 30
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Beer: UNSTOPPABLE
Style: IPA
It is the most popular and unstoppable beer of the Basqueland Brewing classics (its flagship!). It is made very much in the India Pale Ale style from the west coast of the United States, with a light golden color, medium body, fruity, refreshing and balanced with aromas of papaya, guava, pineapple and notes of pine resin. In the mouth, the American hops give it a pleasant bitterness and a tropical flavor. When served, preferably at 6-8C, it releases a nice, fine white foam.
ABV: 6.8%
IBU: 62
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Beer: AUPA
Style: Pale Ale
This birrote baptized by BB with the popular greeting or cry of encouragement in Basque: aupa! (this is how they also cheer on the Athletic Club), is a beer made with American hops Bravo, Centennial and Mosaic, very much in the style of a Californian pale ale. Medium-bodied, blonde in color and citrus lemon touches, its bitterness is quite balanced, making it a beer that tends to be refreshing and that you can drink by the liter without getting bored. In 2015 she was awarded the Certificate of Excellence at the prestigious Brussels Beer Challenge, and in 2016 with a silver medal at the International Beer Challenge.
ABV: 5.3%
IBU: 30
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BREWTAL BOX BROCHURE #035
Photo: Italo Morales & Basqueland Brewing (brewery photos)