HOW IT STARTED
Polish drinking scene changed dramatically in last 5 years. The
revolution started in May 2011 when Pinta brewery introduced Atak Chmielu (Eng.
attack of hops), first Polish American Indian Pale Ale. Name of this beer exactly tells the costumers
how it tastes – it’s insanely hopped AIPA.
Even though craft beer is more expensive (3-4 times) than
regular commercial beer, people loved drinking it. Soon other breweries
followed Pinta and started producing their own, original beers. They are not
afraid of experimenting with hops, yeast and malt. Every month dozens of new
beers have their premiere. Big impact on polish revolution had Tomasz Kopyra,
who promotes craft beers on his YouTube channel, blog and in his recently
published book.
TYPES OF BEER
All beers fall into two categories:
- Ales are generally more complex and fuller in body. They are usually more aromatic than lagers. (e.g. pale ales, porters, stouts, wheats)
- Lagers are generally lighter in body and more “crisp” than ales. They taste better when served cold. (e.g. bocks, dark lagers, pale lagers)
The difference between these two types comes from different
yeast. Ale yeast ferments in higher temperature while lager ferments under
colder conditions.
BEERS WE SHOULD BE
PROUD OF (in my personal opinion)
Kormoran
Imperium Prunum
Style: Baltic Imperial Porter
Beer description: Aged with Suska Sechlonska. Dark beer with
fine-beige foam. Medium sweet flavour
with strong smoked character, some bittersweet chocolate, dried berries and
scorched earth.
Recording to
RateBeer.com it’s one of the best Baltic Porters in the world and is listed in
top 50 in all styles.
Style: Quadrupel
– Dark beer with deep, rich fruity notes with a alcohol volume of 10% or more.
Description:
Moderate to heavy sweet flavour with cognac, dried fruit, plum, sweet malt and
wood. It’s extremely balanced, little bit alcoholic.
WHERE TO DRINK
If you are interested in buying craft beer in bottles, you
should go to speciality stores. You will be able to buy there polish or
imported beers from around the world. It’s worth to mention that those stories
are usually serviced by beer geeks, so they can give you advice.
If you want to visit a pub, I would recommend going to multi-taps
bars. Most of these bars are changing the beers they are offering on
weekly/monthly basis.
Questions:
- Have you ever tried any craft beer?
- What’s your favourite beer style?
- Do you prefer beer, wine, hard liquor or mixed drinks?
Sources:
* https://eatpolska.com/blog/craft-beer-in-poland/
* * http://www.therubi.com/so-you-know-beer-huh/
* * https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/kormoran-imperium-prunum/389104/2/1/
Comments
I prefer mixed drinks. Beer is diuretics and even one glass may make me sleepy. Wine is good, when it is one glass. Then, it is too aromatic and heavy because of it. Drinks are nice and you can decide how strong they will be. What is important, you can easily change their strong, by adding juice/drink or alcohol.
Right now I definitely prefer craft beer, but I also enjoy good wines and good mixed drinks.
Some people like to taste different types, discover new flavors etc.
Dark beers are rather for beer geeks and more experienced beer drinkers. For poeple who start their beer jernouey I would recommend something lighter - wheat, ipa, lager etc.
I don't drink beer so often now due to food intolerance.
My two favourite types of alcohol are wines and whisky. I really like both of them, it just depends on my current mood.
I specially don't like alcohol. I like to drink beer but not too often. It's the only type I prefer.
I love American Pale Ale and Baltic Porter styles but your article made me curious about others styles.
I prefer beer and wine (only sweet ones like choya silver).
It is difficult to me to drink something that tastes terrible (I'm talking about you vodka) but sometimes (very rarely) it is good to drink something like that with friends.
Yes, I tried the craft beer. My favorite type of beer is wheat beer. Personally, I prefer beer and vodka.
I'm not really fussy if it comes to beers but generally I like sweet, wheat beers. I've tried few porters but most of the time they're too bitter for me.
It depends on the situation but most of the time I drink vodka, since it doesn't make me feel full, so I have more space for snacks ;)
I like Lagers, as they are refreshing, especially when cold. Ales are good, but only for tasting (max. 2 bottles), because of their bitter taste (I'll never get those maniacs, drinking some dense soup-like beers, its like drinking some chicory sauce with pepper and way too much mustard).
When it comes to choosing drinks, for me it depends on occasion. I like some wines, but mostly sweet or semi-sweet ones. I usually don't drink vodka, when I have the choice, as it doesn't taste too good for me.
2) My favourite beer styles are 4. Open, Cold, free and next one. But serously i don't have a fovourite style or brand.
3) That depends on ocasion.
Many people like beer, but not me. It is bitter and unpleasant. Although the handicraft beer tastes better than beer from the store. Perhaps, I could drink it without disgust. Still, I like beer with different additives. Fruit syrup, fresh fruit, honey and so on. Although, to be frank, if there was a large selection of alcoholic beverages, the beer would be at the bottom of the list. From weak alcohol, I prefer apple cider. Wine is also an excellent choice if it is not sour. And stronger I like whiskey and tequila more. And of course, different cocktails.
My favorite beer type is Pale Ale, I love it. It’s only second to gin and tonic.