Around the world in 20 beers pt.1

Here's a guide to 20 beers from around the world that you must try.

1. USA

Iron Rat Stout, 8%

Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Florida

This micro-brewery is located in Ybor City, a town with a distinct Latin flavour on the outskirts of Tampa Bay, which at one point was the world’s biggest cigar making centre. Iron Rat stout is a dark, strong, uncompromising beer with an attractive creamy head.



Tampa Bay Brewing Co.
Photo - Paul Evans

2. Estonia

Viru, 5%

A Le Coq Brewery, Tartu

A pilsner style beer which is made using natural spring water and grains from across the Baltic region. A crisp and refreshing beer, although its most attractive feature is the octagonal pyramid, art deco inspired bottle it is served in.

3. Austria

Samichlaus, 14%

Schloss Eggenberg, Vorchdorf

Was once the world’s strongest beer, but despite losing that title it still remains a rare and unique beer. Brewed only once a year - on December 6^{th -}  it is then stored for around 10 months before being bottled and ready to drink at the Christmas period. A deep mahogany beer that is warming and a real delight.

4. Brazil

Xingu Black Beer, 4.8%

Cervejaria Sul Brasileira, Santa Maria

Named after the Xingu River in the Amazon Rainforest. This is a dark lager beer with a sweet malty taste, slight hints of coffee and a liquorice aftertaste.

5. Spain

Mezquita, 7.2%

Alhambra Brewery, Cordoba

Alhambra is a quality Spanish craft brewer that sticks to traditional methods of beer making, allowing natural fermentation to occur. Mezquita is a beer made in homage to Belgian beers, with intense flavours and aromas.

6. New Zealand

Radler Bier, 5%

Monteith’s Brewing Company, Greymouth

Fashioned from a Bavarian recipe that was served in the 1920s by the owner of a guesthouse in the German Alps. This beer is very easy to drink as it has been infused with lemon juice, a southern hemisphere ‘lager and lime’ if you like.

7. Russia

Nine Extra (No.9), 8%

Baltika Brewery, St Petersburg

A light looking beer despite its strength, and as such it drinks very easily. Sweet and malty initially, which gives way to a biscuit and apple finish.

8. Mexico

Red Pig Ale, 5%

Mexicali Brewery, Tecate

Influenced by Amber Ales brewed in the USA, often referred to as ‘red’ beers, this ale is rich in taste with malty overtones. It has a fairly dry and bitter finish, but this is offset by its satisfying subtle sweetness.

Photo - Paul Evans

 

9. Belgium

Gueze Lambic, 5%

Cantillon Brewery, Brussels

The Belgians can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to beer, and it’s virtually impossible to single out just one beer. Lambic beers offer something different in that they are spontaneous fermentation beers – sour beers. Usually kept in corked bottles, if you have a cellar they will also improve with age.

10. Iceland

Toasted Porter, 6%

Einstock Brewing Company, Akureyri

This brewery is located a mere 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle, delivering what the brewery claim to be ‘the purest water on earth.’