#Hello, beer lovers! 🍻

Finally, I have my Saturday (back) again! Over the past two weekends, it was mostly other commitments that decided my fate. And I wasn’t able to attend one of my favorite events. But everything’s fine now, so that I can treat myself to a beer or two. For #BeerSaturday, 466 in a row.

I have two cans in front of me, one German and one Croatian. I’m ready to empty them and share the beer experience with you.

Let’s go!

#Milkshake IPA

Brewed by The Garden Brewery, Zagreb, Croatia. Can, 0.33 l, alcohol 4.7% ABV, IBU 35.

What do the Master Brewers say?

Soft, creamy, and juicy. Super Milky - With 3 times more lactose than we have ever used! Subtle sweet notes of passion fruit, mango, strawberry, and vanilla. Fermented out with unique White Labs London Fog yeast WLP066.

I’m quite familiar with the brewery, as its beers are available in local stores and it has received numerous awards. Even after a few years, Garden Brewery Pale Ale still strikes me as the best Pale Ale in the region.

The beer is cloudy yellow; the head is average and fades quickly. It has a strong aroma of mango and other tropical fruits. It goes down smoothly; at first, I taste bitterness, then a true richness of tropical fruit, ranging from citrus, mango, and passion fruit to fresh peaches. In the aftertaste, everything slowly fades, leaving only bitterness.

A very drinkable and refreshing beer! Moderately bitter, creamy and fruity, with a complex profile of diverse tropical flavors and aromas, and a smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel. It’s available at local stores, so I should have it in my fridge.

A surprise 😜 Last week, while going through some old papers, I came across a photo of my first rafting trip down the Reka River in 1988, when the river was very polluted. My friend and I made a raft out of a large truck tire. Today, this descent has become a tradition, and the Reka River is much cleaner.

#Schwarzbier Lager

Brewed by Fuerst Wiacek, Berlin, Germany. Can, 0.44 l, alcohol 5.0% ABV, IBU N/A.

What do the Master Brewers say?

Dark, smooth, and deceptively light on the palate, this classic German Schwarzbier is the perfect balance of rich malt character and crisp drinkability. Pouring deep brown with ruby highlights, it greets you with aromas of toasted bread crust, cocoa powder, and a hint of dark caramel. Smooth, sessionable, and endlessly drinkable, this is dark beer without the weight—an old-world classic built for modern thirst.

I don’t know this brewery very well. Supposedly the best craft brewery in Berlin. I tried one of their sour beers. It was tasty and juicy. Now for another one.

The beer is dark brown; the head is solid and creamy, fading quickly. It smells of dried plums. The sip goes down smoothly; in my mouth, I taste a slight sweetness of malt, caramel, and dark chocolate. In the aftertaste, the sweetness and caramel fade, leaving only a slight bitterness.

A very drinkable classic German dark lager. It’s not too strong, not too sweet, and the roasted malt flavor is barely noticeable. Very well-balanced in terms of flavors and aromas. Unfortunately, it’s not available in local stores. A friend from Berlin brought it to me. I’d definitely like to try it again.

And what am I listening to as I write this and taste beer? Something from Friday’s #newtunes post. The loudest American band from Brooklyn

A Place To Bury Strangers - Time https://youtu.be/enZDod9yVmc?si=1CPX5dCY_-b0Jg7V

Thank you for your attention.

Latest (this year) tastings: De Katsbier Extra and Orval Trappist Ale, Craft Beer Festival, Thelma and Bush Caractère, Here Comes The Sun and Fang & Flame, Steam-Brew Imperial Stout and XO - Punk is Not Dead, Küss die Hand Helles and Irish Craft IPA, Nero Stout and Banquise Attack Double IPA, Nuke Mars NEIPA and General Maister IPA, Bevog Deetz and Siren Broken Dream, La Chouffe Blonde and TAZ Tasmanian Ale, Reservoir Dogs CruX Gose and Wicklow Wolf Elevation Pale Ale, Organic Chocolate Stout and Fuller's IPA, Hirter 1270 and Pécsi Prémium Lager, Erdinger Dunkel and Lone Wolf Single Hop IPA, Perlenzauber Kellerpils and Bavaria Holland, Salt Breeze & Ironik, Budvar Dark Lager and Krombacher Weizen, Rosa’s Fest-Märzen and Christmas Stout, HOPZ 2025 and Kozel Dark.

#5% of this post's earnings will go to community beneficiaries - @beerlover.