How do you like your beer? Sweet and malty or dark and hoppy? Room temp or ice cold? I remember back in college, my orgmates would get pissed drunk over beer during our parties. Sculling bottle after bottle of below zero beers. But through the years, I came to realize that there is more to beer than just sculling its bitter taste. Beer, as an alcohol, symbolizes celebrating good times, social bonds, and friendships. That, and I like my beer strong, hoppy, and aromatic. Just like the scandalous ¡De Puta Madre Reposado! I had at the 6th Anniversary Party of Crows Craft Brewery at Bar Pintxos Tapas Y Mas BGC. Check out what you missed!
About Crows Craft Brewery
Before I hop into the beer-y details of the party, here’s the 411 about Crows Craft Brewery. Crows Craft Brewery officially became a commercial brewing company in 2013. But founder and brewster Josemari Cuervo actually started brewing back in 2010 all because of his love for craft beer.
Tired of the usual large commercial beer available in every grocery store, Mr. Cuervo wanted to go beyond the golden color and fizzy-look of beer. It’s about going back to basics giving respect to the malt, hops, yeast and water.
His influence comes from the west-coast where craft beer is very hop-centered. The use of hops is taken to another level. The bitterness has increased tremendously and the various aromas make west-coast variants very appealing. Crows Craft Brewery has and will always be a limited-batch brewery keeping its focus on quality rather than quantity. Staying artisanal is where it’s at.
They do not engage in any ‘pissing-contest’ as to who has the largest brewery or the most modern facility. They like keeping their hands dirty providing what they like to brew best. And the hashtag says it all #NotForEveryone. That is in terms of taste, aroma and overall craft experience.
Craft Beers by Crows Craft Brewery
Okay let’s get down into some hoppy news. Let’s talk about beer. Craft beers by Crows Craft Brewery, to be exact.
De Puta Madre (Double IPA)
And let’s start with the classic IPA by Crows Craft Brewery, the De Puta Madre! In Spain, this phrase or expression connotes a high compliment. Meaning that something is the coolest or best of its kind. Very much similar to phrases like “the bomb”, “the shit” or “this is sick”. This is Crows’ flagship craft brew. Pulling-out all the stops, this DoubleIPA is extremely hoppified in both taste and aroma. As shown in its IBUs exceeding 100 and an ABV of 8%. This is NOT for everyone. This is brewed by a HopHead for HopHeads. This brew best exemplifies the Crows mission: “We brew the beer we want to see in this world.”
De Puta Madre REPOSADO
Then came the star of the night: the De Puta Madre Reposado. Take Crows Craft Brewery’s’ flagship double-IPA and give it a rest. A rest inside their used Crows Gin American Oak Barrels to Grab the characteristics of our gin and charred oak wood. This took the craft to another level that is definitely #NotForEveryone. It best exemplifies Crows’ craft beer and spirits expertise in one beverage. So… how do I describe the taste? Strong, earthy, aromatic,— just the way I like my beer!
Crows Craft Brewery also has three other craft beer variants to stout the beer-loving you.
Love your beer hoppy but not overwhelming? Go for the Mala Hierba (IPA). Translated as ‘Bad Weed’ in Spanish, this hop-fest of flavour and aroma tips the scale at 77 IBUs with a 7% ABV.
Into bitter aromatic/fruity notes? Then you’ll surely enjoy the Carte Blanche (White IPA), an amplified Hefeweizen. It uses high-alpha acid hops early in the boil and infuses a selection of aroma hops, citrus peels, and coriander.
And if you’re looking for some good ‘ol pale ale, then the Crows Pale Ale is a great entry-level beer you can try. Crows Pale is a single-malt Ale that’s characterized by citrus and pine-like aromas from the hops. That come through predominantly over the malt, leaving a light crisp mouthfeel at a surprising 6% ABV. It definitely packs a punch leaving you wanting for more.
Craft Gins by Crows Craft Brewery
In February 2017, Crows Craft also launched the 1st Philippine Craft Gin. A play of using botanicals from around the world together with Philippine citrus flora and fauna. Crows Gin has 23 botanicals some of which are: Lavender from France, Cardamom from India, Juniper berries from Germany and Dalandan and Calamansi peels from the Philippines.
Crows only distills limited bottle batches all wax-sealed individually and bottle numbered by hand. Which I personally like. Because it only means they put time to create premium quality gin for us to enjoy.
Tasting Notes of Crows Craft Gin
I love gin but I like it a tad citrusy-fruity. And that’s exactly what I got from Crows Craft Gin. A complex and yet not overtly floral nose with Philippine citrus standing out. Complex because of the 23 botanics used yet simple enough that it’s pleasant to drink neat. And the after taste? A delicious blend of citrus and spice. We were able to taste the cocktail versions (with citrus and raspberry) and they were simply GIN-tastic!
The Story of Crows Eau De Vie De Mangue (Brandy)
I love Philippines mangoes, they have the sweetest taste and the best texture. And if you’re like me, you would definitely take delight in the Crows Eau De Vie De Mangue. A clear, colorless fruit brandy that is produced by means of fermentation and distillation. This Brandy is 50% ABV with a light and pleasant Mango aroma. Ideal for pre or post-meal with dessert and or your favorite cigar. Sweet, smooth, and light. Sarap!
Crows Craft Brewery also offers the Crows Barrel Reserve and the Crows Single-Malt Craft Whiskey. The Barrel Reserve is a smokey aromatic spirit that was rested in a medium-charred American oak barrel. It’s a wonderful mix of juniper, citrus and spicy botanicals juxtaposed with the caramel sweetness finish from the American oak. Thus creating a flavor that’s very unique, but very familiar. Definitely enjoy neat. On the other hand, the single-malt whiskey from Crows is basically fusing beer-making with distilling spirits and aging.
Bar Pintxos BGC x Crows Craft Brewery
Now that you know all about Crows Craft Brewery, let’s talk about that gin-tastic party thrown that night. To celebrate six wonderful years of brewing the best craft beers and gins, Crows Craft hosted an intimate (but equally fun) dinner at Bar Pintxos BGC. I have only dined here once before but I can still vividly remember that wonderful dining experience. Literally the best pintxos and tapas in town!
While pintxos are served by the piece (Php 70 up), the good news is you can choose only those you like! I would personally choose the Brochetta de Cerdo (Php 110, deep fried pork belly, romescu), the Brie-Becolla (Php 120, brie, caramelized onion, jamon serrano), and Chorizo y Huevos (Php 70, chistorra, quail egg).
Then follow it up with their bestselling Berenjenas (Php 125). Fried eggplant with honey and pimenton. It’s a sweet-savory medley that’s extra delicious and addicting!
For tapas, we certainly enjoyed the Chopito Frito (Php 250). Deep fried baby squid matched with a creamy aioli dip. The Salpicao (Php 480) had a good flavor to it but a little tough to chew. I also enjoyed the simplicity of their Paella Mixta (Php 350) but preferred to have some parts a little more cooked (aka with “tutong”).
Thank you Denise for the invite. Congrats and cheers Crows Craft Brewery for 6 wonderful years! For orders or more details, check out Crows Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. on Facebook. SALUT!
#NotForEveryone #CrowsCraft
RELATED: Interested to know more about breweries and craft beers? Check out our Brew-Ed Asheville Brewery Tour and Austin Texas Brewery Tours.
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