Speaking of Beer

Prebeer Preamble: Today’s show is brought to you (literally) by the country of Brazil. Marcelo Carneiro da Rocha, SoB listener and brewmaster at Brazil’s first craft brewery, Cervejaria Colorado, contacted me recently and asked if I’d like to sample his wares. I said “”Well, duh”, and the result is this episode. Until this point, the Review Krew’s Brazilian beer experience has been limited to Xingu, a nice-try-maybe-but-next-time black lager. So now it’s time to find out what the land of anacondas and Carnival can do with a beer if it really tries…

Beer #1: First up is Cauim Pilsner, a bohemian-style Pilsner brewed with cassava root, which is itself the basis for a traditional Brazilian libation also called cauim. It pours out really pale, and some fearful comments get thrown around. Still, for the cause we soldier on. Are our worst fears confirmed, or does character eventually join the party?

Interbeer Interlude: Beer As Folk. “Alan Shapiro.” SBS-Imports is the coolest beer and cider importer on the planet, and that includes you, Mr. Merchant du Vin (if that is your name…). What exactly is the role of the importer and why should you care? Tune in to this fascinating conversation I had recently with SBS-Imports founder Alan Shapiro at my local Whole Foods, and you will find the answer. (Part 1 of 2)

Beer #2: Next up is Appia Weiss, a hefeweizen brewed using orange-blossom honey produced by killer bees. I’m not sure why, but I find that extremely cool. Does the beer live up to it’s exotic expectations?

Beer Geek Moment: Brewing Water. The underpraised ingredient that makes up an overwhelming majority of that beer in your hand gets a long-overdue Moment of its own. What’s the big deal about lowly old water? Turns out, plenty.

Postbeer Postscript/Bonus Round: To help the numbers roll out smoothly, I surprise Mike and the Krew with two more Brazillian beers, DaDo Ilex and Eisenbahn Dunkel. We give each a once over (hickory?!?), then get to the reporting. Which of Marcelo’s generous offerings do we like best? Tune in and find out!

Alan Shapiro photo courtesy of Sheila Unwin. Thanks Sheila!

 

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