Just over a year since moving to the predominantly cold and wet northwest Spanish region of Galicia and after a brief stint back in Blighty, I've migrated back to a very different part of the Ibeerian Peninsula: the contrastingly arid and scorched plains of Murcia.
My path to accommodation was a desperate one, one which involved me pacing the length and breadth of the city of Murcia in over 30-degree heat for no fewer than three full weeks. But once I'd secured a roof over my head, I had the chance to explore my new neighbourhood at my own leisure, and one particular establishment I was delighted to have found, a mere few minutes away on foot, was a shop specialising in craft beer. And what with all that walking, I had worked up quite a thirst.
My first and only, highly-disciplined single purchase was a deliberately local one in the spirit of celebrating my new region. Pajiza Black (or "black straw" as far as I can deduce) comes from a small Murcian town called Torre-Pacheco, and as the brewers are keen to point out is the very first dark beer, inspired by Irish dry stouts, to have hailed from the town (although that's perhaps not such a surprise being the town's only brewery).
As promised it pours an inky jet-black, although less expectedly an almighty, bubbling cappuccino-coloured head erupts before slowly fizzling down to a gorgeous, spiralling, creamy, foamy layer. To enjoy the spectacle again, a little swirl of the glass is all it takes to reactivate it for your viewing pleasure.
Having released the brew's aromas following all that swirling action, bitter coffee and dark chocolate are present on the nose from the dark roasted malts, subtle though they might be.
Going in for a slurp, the bitter flavours of dark roasted malts are accompanied by a creamy backing that call to mind a café con leche, complimented by a hint of hazelnut that comes through gently. Just when you thought that was it, a potent, bright citrus hop lifts the palate bringing in a refreshing, fruity finish.
While it could do with being ever so slightly smoother, this medium-bodied dry stout remains highly quaffable, helped by the modest ABV.
In a climate with a year-round average daily high of 25 degrees it's a wonder that there could be any demand for dark, top-fermented beers, but the clever use of malts and hops give it a character that sets it apart from your typical stout, and on a muggy October evening as a first experience of a Murcian small-batch beer, it went down well with me.
As promised it pours an inky jet-black, although less expectedly an almighty, bubbling cappuccino-coloured head erupts before slowly fizzling down to a gorgeous, spiralling, creamy, foamy layer. To enjoy the spectacle again, a little swirl of the glass is all it takes to reactivate it for your viewing pleasure.Having released the brew's aromas following all that swirling action, bitter coffee and dark chocolate are present on the nose from the dark roasted malts, subtle though they might be.
Going in for a slurp, the bitter flavours of dark roasted malts are accompanied by a creamy backing that call to mind a café con leche, complimented by a hint of hazelnut that comes through gently. Just when you thought that was it, a potent, bright citrus hop lifts the palate bringing in a refreshing, fruity finish.
While it could do with being ever so slightly smoother, this medium-bodied dry stout remains highly quaffable, helped by the modest ABV.In a climate with a year-round average daily high of 25 degrees it's a wonder that there could be any demand for dark, top-fermented beers, but the clever use of malts and hops give it a character that sets it apart from your typical stout, and on a muggy October evening as a first experience of a Murcian small-batch beer, it went down well with me.
Appearance 5/5
Aroma 2/5
Flavour 3.5/5Mouthfeel 3/5
Overall rating 7/10
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