martes, 9 de septiembre de 2008

Ale in Spain

(Versión en Español)
Some weeks ago a couple of beer blogging fellows- Delirium and Boak, talked about the possibility of drinking decent British Ale in Spain. Despite both the distance and the weather I believe there's a good choice of ale in our country. This post is to salute those friends and to use as a kind of little guide about what you can get here asking for an ale.Bassically I wrote about what I have witnessed and tried*. Cheers. Haya Salud.

Both in all the Peninsula- including Portugal. and in the Islands-The Balearics and The Canary there are some interesting brands of British ales which are Highly recommended. From the notes I could take I have made the following list:


Marston's
- Barril y Botella from Madrid are the oficial distributor to Spain. They starting the distribution of Old Empire, Single Malt ale, Strong ale, Oyster Stout y Pedigree Bitter Bottled Conditioned.






Bass-It's widely spread mainly because it is in Inbev's portfolio. Versions available versions: CO2 keg for bars and restaurants and 330ml bottle for stores and supermarket y para los supermercados viene en botella de 33cl.Its a must in our sessions and a pretty fine beer.



Boddington's pub ale.Another ale in Inbev's Portfolio available in nitrokeg for bars and in widget inside 500ml cans for supermarkets and stores (It used to be a true bargain in Mercadone some months ago: a 6 pack just for 4,50€ )




John Smith- The Smooth version is included in the S&N-now Heineken, portfolio. After Heineken's acquisition of S&N its future is a mistery.Available in Nitrokeg for bars and widget inside 500ml cans for supermarkets.




Newcastle Brown Ale- "The Dog" is one of the former flagships of S&N but once more, after being sold to Heineken we don't have many clues about what is going to happen. Newkie is available in nitrokeg ad 550ml bottle for bars and in 330ml and 550ml bottles for stores and supermarkets.






Tetley's- Froma Alicante to the rest of Spain, might say the oficial distributors called Los Deportistas. Calrsberg distributes it in Portugal-Where I tried it for the first time in the Peninsula and its available in both countries in nitrokeg for bars and y in 500ml cans for stores and supermarket.


London Pride.- Heineken España got the right of distribution of the Pride in Spain. Though we have to go to a Heineken-Guinness Franchise pub to enjoy a good pint, it worths the effort. It's available only in bars in both versions: 500ml bottle and nitrokegs tiene los derechos de distribución de London Pride. Another favourite of us.





Charles Well's: Crusat, The Little Beer Company y Fassbier are two of the most important importers which distribute a good variety of Well's ales. Bombadier premium ale, John Bull Bitter, Bowman Stout or the exotic Banana Bread are served in Full Pint bottles and in Co2 kegs in bars and pubs.




ST. Peter's-Probably the best ale I've tried in this part of the world till now and another favvy of mine. Best Bitter, Organic Best Bitter, Honey Porter and Cream Stout are available in 500ml bottle thanks to Fassbier and The Little Beer Company.



BelHaven-From my adoptive land, Scotland , and via the Asturian importerTorma, I can remember my days in Edina in each sip of the great Twisted Thistle IPA, . From the Brewery of we can also enjoy St. Andrews ale and Burns Celebration ale. Belhaven and Greene King have a kind of association so it's also possible to have some beers from the Bury St Edmunds' brewery. Strong Suffolk-absolutetly great, Abbot Ale, Ruddles County, and Old speckled hen are some good examples. All those beers are available in 500ml bottles.In the rest of Spain, The Little beer Company, based in Elx, Alacant, is the official importer.










WhiteShield.- Via Fassbier and The Little Beer Company we can enjoy one of the most interesting brit ale that has arrived here ever. Bottled conditioned, it's an expensive ale but a sip that worths each cent of euro.





The Oddities.

Bateman's XX Bitter.- I couldn't find whic importer delivers it but I came across this aleduring my staying in Sevilla. A wonderful and well balanced ale highly recommended.


Wychwood- Half a mistery. I dont' Know how it has come to Asturies but for the rest of the country The Little Beer Company is the importer.The fact is that we can enjoy 5 of its portfolio: . Hobgoblin, Wychcraft, Circle Master, Black Wych and Goliath. All of them in 500ml bottle version


P.S.- I hope I forgot some ales so I'll have new beers to enjoy, let me know if you find other specialities or distributors. Cheers

2 comentarios:

DR PILORO dijo...

Nice review again!
Taking your advice, as you know, I tried the London Pride at MN months ago. Where could I find it here in Asturias? (I mean, in order to buy some bottles for me, not in a bar).
Thank you, and we´ll meet at the chiringuitos!!!

Chela dijo...

Hi There Doc? how you doing, Best place to find is in stores sucha as Supercash or Makro where you can buy six packs at a reasonable price. Take care!!!