Gentlemen beer tasting of athenian Noble men craft beer.
The world of microbreweries is booming and Greece is no exception to this phenomenon. So, as a belgian guy, when they gave me the opportunity to participate at e-noplolio shop, in Heraklion, to presentation and tasting of the Athenian microbrewery “Noble men” products, I did not hesitate at all… Having an eye on the Noble men craft beer website was a little bit puzzling. Hipster style mixed with private Philip Marlowe Chandler”s hero seems an unlikely cocktail for a craft beer. At least, it prove some guiding idea and a certain spirit that i was expecting to find back into beer style of this young athenian craft beer microbrewery. The four bottles aligned on the table and cartoon trendy labels add to my puzzling feeling.
First to start the ball rolling is Madame Pilsneuer. A 5.% pils Non pasteurized, bottom fermentation with Pilksner malt and Citra type single-hops, refermented in bottle. The rich and lasting Foam is a good start. Noose is promising, with this typical grapefruit and citrus aromas, awaiting a bunch of bitterness. Body is quite long, still in grapefruits underlined with orange peels and citrus oil essence.
Hipster cartoon fashion label for stylish craft beer ”
IPA, Pale Ale,red beer, dark beer, Abbey Triple,…
Let’s move to Red Grizzly. Red, copper label for this “Red Grizzly” that match with the color of this beer: copper red… This american pale Ale, brewed with Cascade, tradition and perle hops. Here, Oregon Cascade hops add floral notes to some light sour touchs to the usual grapefruit bitterness of hops. Interesting twist that it’s creator would easily pair with burgers. Next bottle is “Crazy Lupulo”, a dark brown Imperial Belgium IPA, Alc7.5%, Non pasteurized with re-fermentation in the bottle. Straight, smell of freshly baked bread, spices, some hints of liquorice, for a full body with bitterness and smoke.
The last one is the one that mostly speaks to me “Abbey triple”. Grown up in Belgium, where abbey beer is part of our DNA, i was very curious about this “Holy strenght” Abbey Triple blonde with Alc 12%. High alcool can easily lead to “eat and drink all in one” beer. Even if alcool sugary feeling is present, it is balanced with spices and dry fruits aromas, experiencing a triple layer of spices, then sweetness leading to dry fruits aromas. With a rich creamy mouth feeling. Not exactly what i had in mind from reading the label prior tasting but it was not a bad surprise…
Finding its own way in creft beer
Final feeling is that this micro brewery is definitively trying to find its own path, no matter trends and market to propose crafted beer with strong style and identity. Let’s move to Red Grizzly. Red, copper label for this “Red Grizzly” that match with the color of this beer: copper red… This american pale Ale, brewed with Cascade, tradition and perle hops. Here, Oregon Cascade hops add floral notes to some light sour touchs to the usual grapefruit bitterness of hops. Interesting twist that it’s creator would easily pair with burgers.
Next bottle is “Crazy Lupulo”, a dark brown Imperial Belgium IPA, Alc7.5%, Non pasteurized with re-fermentation in the bottle. Straight, smell of freshly baked bread, spices, some hints of liquorice, for a full body with bitterness and smoke. The last one is the one that mostly speaks to me “Abbey triple”. Grown up in Belgium, where abbey beer is part of our DNA, i was very curious about this “Holy strenght” Abbey Triple blonde with Alc 12%. High alcool can easily lead to “eat and drink all in one” beer.
Even if alcool sugary feeling is present, it is balanced with spices and dry fruits aromas, experiencing a triple layer of spices, then sweetness leading to dry fruits aromas. With a rich creamy mouth feeling. Not exactly what i had in mind from reading the label prior tasting but it was not a bad surprise… Final feeling is that this micro brewery is definitively trying to find its own path, no matter trends and market to propose crafted beer with strong style and identity. This noble men’s choice is maybe a smart choice In the “eating or being eaten” beer jungle.