Spanish Beer from the Montes de Málaga

Editor-in-chief Marcus Polman tastes a special IPA from Cervecería La Cabra Azul (The Blue Goat) in southern Spain. The beer from this microbrewery has recently also become available in the Netherlands.

The beer tastes fresh, with that characteristic bitterness of an IPA

Brewer Liz Luyben moved from Amsterdam to the Montes de Málaga ten years ago, a mountainous natural region in southern Spain. There was little to experience in terms of beer there. Cruzcampo or Estella Damm were the only beers listed on the drinks menu. Very boring, according to enthusiast Luyben.

Luyben started brewing herself so she could also drink some more complex varieties. At first, the beer was especially popular among expats, but now you can order it at every café in the area: “People in the mountains where I live are incredibly proud of their beer. Especially because I use local ingredients such as almond blossom and mango.”

La Cabra Azul’s Beer

Verdiales IPA: American IPA, floral, grapefruit. Named after the wild local dance, the Verdiales.
Dulcinea Dark Ale: English dark ale, malty with subtle English hop varieties, East Kent Golding and Nugget, dry-hopped with almond blossom. Dedicated to Don Quixote’s Ideal Woman.

Mangoat:

mango Hefeweizen, a deliciously refreshing wheat beer with German hop varieties such as Tettnanger and mango from the Montes de Málaga. A hint of banana and clove with a slight sourness from the mango. Refreshing for warm summer evenings.

You can buy these beers in Amsterdam at Café KHL, in Twente at the Twents Pakhuis, in Almere at Goed Gebrouwen (also online), and in Arnhem at Slijterij van Pernis.

Text and video: Nora van den Heuvel
Images: La Cabra Azul