If someone mentioned the words
'Italian beer' to you, what would immediately spring to mind? An ice
cold Birra Moretti in the sun? Or maybe a chilled Peroni to accompany
your Napolitana? Well start thinking again beer lovers, because craft
beer isn't exclusive to the USA and UK as we all know, and more
European countries are fast becoming major players in the hops, hops
and more hops world of lovely crafted ales. With that in mind, let me
bring to your attention to craft beer from Italy by Gjulia, brewed high up in
the hills of Friuli, North East Italy. Brothers Marco and Massimo
Zorzettig are also proud producers of fine wines from their Alturis
vinyards, handed down from three generations of their family.
Gjulia
was founded three years ago, thanks to the passion and dedication for
their growing love of craft beer. The idyllic micro-climate there has
forged success through the areas natural conditions to produce high
quality wines, and so too it seems for their craft beer brewery. All
barley, wheat and hops used in the production of Gjulia beers are
grown and harvested within the Alturis estate, pure water from
springs of Monte Mia provide a crucial element to the beers
qualities.
With
some of their regular beers already on the shelves here in the UK, we
were kindly asked our thoughts on their new creation – The IPA
(Italian
Pale
Ale!)...
Before we get to the beer and
the tasting notes, it must be said that the overall eye-catching
product looks first class and has an immediate sign of high quality
about it. The brewery symbol is the striking Wind Rose which is found
both on caps and labels. Accompanying the beer in our delivery is a
beautiful Gjulia booklet, telling us a little about the brewery and
its various beer creations over its many pages. Attention to detail
and fine photography illustrate yet more high class production within
the company and I think many other producers of beer would do well to
take note of this.
IPA (5.8%)
IPA (5.8%)
Upon immediate opening of the
750 ml bottle, intense hop aromas come from within - big, juicy hits of citrus. This is going to be a beer packed with big flavours.
Pouring a hazy, golden yellowy/orange in colour, the beer looks every bit as
impressive as I'd hoped it would be from the outside. Carbonated very
well, it provides a thick white head of foam with the yellowy/orange
of the beer remaining a tantalising hazy liquid beneath (a bottle
conditioned trait). Initially quite bitter on the tongue, heavily citrusy
and a bold but well balanced flavour. These qualities quickly subside into a thirst quenching, smooth and soft
bitterness. Some floral notes and the citrus combine to leave a
lasting finish which makes this drink a difficult one to put down! A
handy 'stopper' lies within the opened cap, enabling the beer to be
closed for later drinking. That's the idea anyway. This one is most definitely
going to provide me with a second glass right away. A total pleasure
to drink.
Alongside the IPA all the way
from Italy, Gjulia also enclosed a bottle of their Nostrana organic
ale for us to try...
Nostrana
(5%)
Naturally, this beer is a
thinner, lighter drink than Gjulia's IPA. Perhaps the tasting
should have been the other way around in an ideal world, but it was
the Italian Pale Ale we were asked initially to give our thoughts on, and this
pale ale is a welcomed bonus. A paler golden/blonde in colour, the
head is again very long lasting with nice lacing. Once again, the
natural sediment in the bottle pours a slight haze. Much crisper and
lighter than the IPA as you'd expect, with a fresh, grassy, fruity
taste. Hints of a Belgian beer in the undercurrents, perhaps due to
the yeast? Yet again this is a highly drinkable and refreshing beer
which is much more subtle and delicate with its flavours and aromas
than that of the IPA.
Words - Pete Jackson
Gjulia Official
MANY THANKS TO THE PEOPLE AT BIRRIFICIO GJULIA FOR SENDING OUT THESE BEERS FOR US TO REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS OF THE BEERS ARE OUR OWN.