One of the awesome benefits of my job as a Cicerone-certified beer consultant is that brewery representatives sometimes come into my store to pitch their product to me to see if I want to include it in my set or even start the motions of getting it onto ABC’s shelves all together. Recently, I was lucky enough to be the part of an impromptu tasting with a distributor representative from B. United International, an importer of fine beers, ciders, meads, wines and spirits. 

Accompanying the young lady was my main Microman beer representative. The United rep came armed with a carry on suitcase full of ice cold Italian, English and Austrian brews. First up was an Italian brewery from Roncole Verdi Di Busseto, Birrificio Del Ducato – ViaEmilia, a Czech style Pilsner. It was a crisp, well-balanced Pilsner with nice citrus notes.

Next was an Italian brewery from Borgorose, Birra Del Borgo – Re Ale Extra IPA. This was a nice earthy IPA, reminding me of a Belgian style with strong bready, grainy notes and not too much resiny hop bitterness. 

Then came an Italian brewery from Chieri, Birrificio Grado Plato – Chocarrubica, a chocolate stout. The label stated it was a dark ale brewed with carobs and cacao beans. The carob really shined through, dominating the flavor and giving a rich velvety taste on the tongue. I found it quite enjoyable. 

After that, an Italian brewery from Marentino, LoveBeer – BeerBera, a sour ale brewed with grapes and aged on wine barrels. I really enjoyed the taste of this one with a nice tartness and Pinot Noir-like grapiness, finishing with a saison-like funk.

Next was an English brewery from Manchester, J. W. Lees and Company – Harvest Ale Vintage 2012. It is an English barleywine with amazing complex tastes of toasted malts, mocha, honey, raisons, caramel, toffee and molasses. It received a 100-point score from Todd Alstrom of Beer Advocate. 

The last one is a nice little Trappist ale from the newest Trappist brewery, Stift Engellszell of Engelhartszell, Austria. It was called Gregorius and tasted well-rounded with notes of tart cherries, plum, raison, honey and molasses. As of now, none of these beers are on ABC’s shelves (that I know of), but all were a very nice treat to sample. Hopefully I will see them in my store one day so I can again experience fine Italian brewing tradition.     

Adam Shugan, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits beer consultant

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