quarta-feira, 9 de abril de 2014

SINGAPORE

Such a small and amazing country! So many things to do and so many things to tell. I have been visiting Singapore for a long time already, I made friends there, and gone for crazy parties, but never realized how good they also are in brewing beer.
Singapore is a new country, as we know it today, started in 1963 when they declared independence from the United Kingdom. Since then, Singapore has developed rapidly, earning recognition as one of the Four Asian Tigers.
It is difficult to talk about the history of beer in Singapore, since it is so new market, not many people have written or discovered about it yet. Tiger is the most famous beer there, produced by APB (Asia Pacific Breweries) since 1932. They also brew Heineken there under a license and there is also a Paulaner brewery. However, since the late 1990s a number of microbreweries have emerged on the Singapore market, the first being Brewerkz; others are Pump Room, Red Dot Brew House and Level 33.
In Singapore also happens an annual Beer Festival, Beerfest Asia, in June each year and attracts over 30,000 beer lovers and over 350 beers from around the globe. The Asia Beer Awards is the largest Beer Awards held in Asia and attracts close to 500 entries, demonstrating the demand for new beers and growth of a taste for beer in the region.


After so many years going to Singapore, was my first time in trying one of the breweries. And the one of the choice was Brewerkz.
Brewerkz in Clark Quay
Brewerkz brew at least 12 types of beers and some are seasonal. Their quality is something impressive for such a “new” place and market. They have many winner beers.

The prizes


The 12 samples


While I was there I had the grateful opportunity of trying the full sample one, yes, they gave me to try the 12 types. And sincerely I don’t know where to start and I can’t talk about all of them, you really must go there and try them yourselves!




I think I will start talking about one of my favorite ones that was the Black and Blue Berry Mead, I have to suggest this one for people who like red wine. This is a slightly sour beer, very carbonated, but their proposition of the beer is exactly the definition of it is a berry mead, in aroma and taste! It has a 8,44% ABV but is so refreshing as champagne! I highly recommend this one!
Saison
Another one very surprising was their Saison, with the ABV of 6% has some interesting notes of hibiscus and raspberries. The final taste is something a bit complicated to describe, a mix of sour and bitter at the same time what actually make you want to drink more and more. A very refreshing and light taste beer, ideal for the hot days of Singapore!




The Irish Red Ale is their new brew. Has a very strong color of copper, aroma is a delicious mix of caramel toffee and molasses. Malty flavor what means can have a hint of coffee taste. But it goes very smooth. ABV 5,5%.


Golden Ale was the first one from the full sample, and it got me right there. It was so soft and smooth with aroma of flowers and the flavor of oat cookie was impressive! ABV 4,5%.


Their Pilsner made me feel like was drinking a beer in Germany, with that barn aroma and herbal flavor. ABV 5,0%.

They have other types and many different flavors, but the ideal here is give a tip for the next time in Singapore give it a try in this microbreweries. Mainly Brewerkz and try all of them fresh from the tap. I am glad that I could try them all. Nevertheless, definitely I will go there again soon!