It is time for Zurich Beer Tour's Top 3 beers for April & May 2023. As it often happens our travels and experiences of the month have influenced our choices. And what incredible not one but two months it has been - with great travel destinations and beer festivals we have been inspired to the (glass) fullest! This time Simona is going for two very different brews - a light and fruity Berliner Weisse from a #Bulgarian brewery and a #Scottish #stout inspired by a popular sweet treat. Sandro's picks were as usual on the hoppy side - a summery super refreshing hop squeeze and a heavier #Belgian addition to the hop scene. As for the staff picks, we went there! Even though the hot months were knocking on the door we just couldn't help ourselves and enjoyed a heavy-duty #mead and barley wine. Let's do this!
Simona's pick for April: Meltum Brewery (BG) - HomeBrewStar - Weiss With Apples And Blackcurrant
The Beer:
In April our spirits were high with expectation of Zurich Bier Festival by Probier. And we were especially excited because this was the first time Bulgarian brewers were present. Simona's pick is reflecting this special event. She enjoyed this refreshing Berliner Weisse - a fruity apply and blackcurranty punch, just the perfect and promising opening for a beer festival. What's even more impressive is that this brew's recipe is actually created by a homebrewer in a special competition. You can read more about it and Meltum in the article below.
The Brewery
You can find out more about the brewery in this blog article.
Our food pairing recommendation:
Duck with blackcurrant sauce
Simona's pick for May: Vault City (SCT) - Cocotella - Double Pastry Imperial Stout
The Beer:
When we decided to go to Interlaken we did not expect to find a restaurant with a great beer selection but the awesome Little Thai didn't only have great food - it surprised us with a wide variety of craft brews and among them was the dreamy Cocotella by Vault City. It was the perfect end of the evening and ideal to share. The hazelnut and coconut notes were a great accompaniment to the roasty flavors of the base #stout. Vault city did not disappoint this time as many other times we have enjoyed them lately. We even included them in our #Edinburgh beer recommendations video which you can check out here.
The Brewery
You can find out more about the brewery in this blog article.
Our food pairing recommendation:
On its own - this beer is the perfect dessert.
Sandro's pick for April: Brussels Beer Project (BE) - TRPL IPA
The Beer:
On our short visit to Paris (video about it) we couldn't help ourselves but visit a Belgian beer bar. Brussels Beer Project Canal in the trendy area of St. Martin Canal is a colorful and modern beer place with a young vibe and an awesome variety of brews. This particular beer was a rare find - you don't find a Triple West Coast #IPA every day. Even though it had a solid ABV it didn't feel heavy. The hoppy bitterness was also well balanced by the strong malt bill. Piney notes as well as caramelly, toffee and biscuity flavors dominated this brew's taste. Great for a rather unusual end of the evening - hoppy instead of stouty.
The Brewery
Brussels Beer Project is a Belgian Brewery that got started in 2013 with crowdfunding and building and maintaining a community is still at their core with their All Starts range being decided on by their drinkers. They put great emphasis on creativity and innovation, so much so that you can read them write "Belgium is no dusty beer museum and we’re on a mission to keep writing the beer story of today and tomorrow.". BBP is also a great example for a brewery striving for sustainability - they really try to utilize resources in the best possible way - for example with making the first beer of unsold bread in the world or using their spent grain to make bread. We love their experimenting spirit and are always happy to visit any of their five Brussels or Paris locations.
Our food pairing recommendation:
Classic cheeseburger with bacon
Sandro's pick for May: St. Laurentius (CH) - Cryo Lager
The Beer:
This beer is a one-of-a-kind beer that defies categorization, as it doesn't fit into any existing beer style. Cryo Lager is a unique beer that combines the light drinkability of a lager with the flavorful and aromatic characteristics of an India Pale Ale. Fermented with a #hybrid lager yeast and generously hopped with #cryo hops, it offers a pleasant malt base, subtle bitterness, and rich and complex flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, and pine resin. The harmonious balance between hoppy aromas and gentle yeast notes makes this beer a must-try. Not quite an #IPL and not quite a Cold IPA, just Cryo Lager!
The Brewery
You can find out more about the brewery in this blog article.
Our food pairing recommendation:
Chilli Cheese Fries
Zurich Beer Tour's pick for April: Brasserie l'Apaisée (CH) - Barleywine 2023
The Beer:
At Zurich Beer Festival we were very happy to see a wonderful Geneva representation in the face of our friend Xavier Righetti and his awesome brewery l'Apaisée. Xavier wasn't playing around with his strong in every sense Barleywine 2023. With the 16% ABV and lush dried fruit and fig flavors we enjoyed the beer festival even more. This remarkable beer has a very high drinkability for a brew of this style so we went by the motto Sharing is caring.
The Brewery:
You can find out more about the brewery in this blog article.
Our food pairing recommendation:
Fig and caramelized walnuts ice cream
Zurich Beer Tour's pick for May: Superstition Meadery (US) - Straw Berry White Mead
The Mead:
Guess what? We're shaking things up on the blog today! While we typically feature European beers, we stumbled upon something extraordinary at the Mikkeller Beer Celebration in Copenhagen: Straw Berry White by Superstition Meadery. You can also find a video about our trip to Copenhagen here. This American mead breaks our beer-only tradition, but trust us, it's worth it! Crafted with honey and ripe strawberries, it offers a perfectly balanced and an amazing flavor experience. Each sip unveils the delicious sweetness of sun-ripened strawberries, beautifully combined with the smoothness of honey. So, raise a glass and join us in celebrating the captivating allure of Straw Berry White!
The Meadery:
Superstition Meadery is not your average spot. Based in Prescott, Arizona since 2012, they're all about crafting top-notch mead, wine, and cider. With a killer track record, they scored four gold medals and one silver at the 2016 Mazer Cup International mead competition. You can get their awesome beverages in Arizona and they even ship directly to customers in 40 U.S. states. But that's not all – they're making waves globally, distributing their goods in Denmark, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore (There are also shops that ship to Switzerland, for example Beer Republic). Superstition Meadery is all about pushing boundaries and sharing their liquid awesomeness with the world.
Our food pairing recommendation:
Strawberry Cheesecake
These are our top beers for April & May. Which ones were your favorite brews these months? Tell us in the comments!
Are you looking for more personalized recommendations, that are made to fit your taste? Check our Pocket Beer Sommelier.
Stay tuned for our future recommendations and check out our YouTube channel with lots of beer, food and things to do recommendations!
Cheers,
Your Zurich Beer Tour Guides