One of the questions beer sommeliers are asked at tastings is the one about the best beers brewed using a certain method, or the best beer from a specific region or country. Although it is only logical for amateurs to seek knowledge from experts, it is no less true that we experts have our own tastes and preferences, just as everyone else does, which is why ranking beer is so difficult while trying to be as objective and as fair as possible.
In order to avoid a subjective approach, beer tasting contests are blind, i.e. the respective brewers are not known by the tasters, and separate scoring is always by a team of expert judges, with the final result being the average of all scores. Despite the entire process, it is still questionable that the winning beers at a contest are actually the best on the market, among other reasons because there are a lot of contests and not all brands submit their beers at all of them.
Bearing the above in mind, and with a view to attempting to provide a reply to the subject matter in the title, “the best Valencian craft beers”, today we are going to highlight some that are almost certainly among the best due to the quality of their ingredients, their recipes, and basically their flavour, whilst also setting on record that we could name others that are probably just as good as those described as follows:
● Althaia > A classic brand brewed in Altea (Alicante), that has conquered palates not just all over Spain but outside our borders too. If you like wheat beers, you should try their Mediterranean Weissbier.
● Tyris > From their factory in Valencia, some beers with very balanced recipes are made which are very much to the taste of experts and beginners alike. Their Märzen are second to none of the classic German beers brewed to this style.
● Zeta Beer > Also from Valencia, this brewery never fails to surprise, with proposals as different as their Pepas, an Imperial Gose Sour with a sour and saline touch.
● Alegría > This brewery located in Massanassa (Valencia) make 4 beers a year, complementing their range with three seasonable beers. If you love the taste of hoppy beer, you really do need to try their Ipannosaurus Rex.
● Saéz&Son > Based in La Pobla de Vallbona (Valencia) this brewery makes and distributes beers using creative recipes such as their Xtravaganza, a bitter beer over 9% proof.
● Antiga > Brewed in Catarroja, this firm makes different styles of beer, highlighting their fresh, aromatic IPA.
● La Socarrada > This firm started brewing in 2010 making just one product, a beer with honey and rosemary. It has forged a place for itself in the market of gastronomy oriented beers.
As we stated earlier, this is just a small sample of a sector in rapid evolution, and we are sure they will continue to surprise us with new recipes and flavours in the coming years.
Cheers!
Julio Cerezo
Beer Sommelier y director of Sabeer Beer Academy
