Great pub views no.8

Photo - Paul Evans

An old Brains sign, outside the Black Lion, Llandaff.

Cat Bar

On the advice of regular Commercial Room contributor Ian Owen, I visited the Cat Bar in Barcelona on a recent trip. It's a vegan cafe and artisan bar, tucked away on one of Barcelona's oldest streets, near the famous Cathedral.

Photo - Paul Evans

The Cat Bar specialises in craft beer from local Catalan brewers and the choice was excellent.  There was a plethora of local beers on tap, as well as a fridge full of Spanish craft beer and many more from further afield.

The Bar
Photo - Paul Evans

It's a cosy and quaint venue with some cool drinking stools and tables opposite the main bar.  It's a cafe in style - as most Spanish bars are - but I could have happily drank away a few hours in this place.

 

The fridge!
Photo - Paul Evans

The staff were very helpful and insightful about the beers available, I only wish I could have spent more time there working my way along the taps, and then through the impressively stocked fridge.  I did manage to try two local brews, which were both excellent.  First up was Cerveses Almogaver, a 'Catalan style' pale ale. A good amber colour and crisp and refreshing. Exactly what I needed at the time as it was beyond baking in Barcelona.  Next I tried Fort smoked oat stout which was absolutely delicious.



The author enjoying a Cerveses Almogaver, and the smoked oat stout

Photo - Paul Evans



The Cat Bar is a very cool, laid back drinking establishment and I was over the moon to find some craft beer after drowning in the blandness of Heineken throughout Europe all week. If you're ever in Barcelona a visit  should be mandatory for a beer lover.

P.S. I didn't try the food but the vegan burgers looked amazing!

The Cat Bar Barcelona - Carrer de la Bòria, 17, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

King cobra

This is a strong, double fermented, lager from Cobra.  It is presented in a champagne style bottle complete with cork and cage, which gives it a classy appearance.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer is brewed with hops from the Hallertau region of Bavaria, along with the finest rice and barley malt.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer is very pale, with a lively white head that is short lasting.  The aroma is primarily of dried banana, with hints of fresh grains and wet grass.

Photo - Paul Evans

The beer tastes of banana followed by a hit of strong alcohol that balances perfectly.  It is crisp and bitter on initial tasting, but this leads into a mellow malty creaminess, which is very smooth and reminiscent of peach melba ice cream.

I thoroughly enjoyed this beer, from its appearance and packaging right through to the final drop. 

4*

Arty pints no.14



Photo - Paul Evans

 A pint of Robinsons double hop IPA at the Prince Llewellyn, Beddgelert.

Little Creatures

This is a 5.2% pale ale by the Little creatures brewery of western Australia.

Photo - Paul Evans

It's a beautiful bright orange in colour with a nice lathery white head. The aroma is fresh and predominantly of citrus fruits. It is a lively beer on the palate, with hints of mandarin and a subtle spiciness.

Photo - Paul Evans

I was introduced to this recently by Commercial Room guest poster, Ross Evans, who spent a couple of years in Australia and said this was one of the best beers he had tried there. It's hard to disagree, this is a great beer.

Rating: 5*

Pale Ale

This is a 5.4% pale ale by the Stone brewery of San Diego, California.

Photo - Paul Evans

It's dark amber in appearance, with a classic American style frothy off white head.  The aroma is of cream soda, sweet barley with floral hints.

Photo - Paul Evans

This beer tastes hoppy, with a nice grapefruit bitterness and a rich malty flavour.

4*

Arty pints no.13

Photo - Paul Evans

A pint of Caledonian Coffee porter at the Rummer tavern, Cardiff.