Ale
Piraiki Brewery (Πειραϊκή)

A couple days with Grecian wines proved satisfactory enough, however for the eve before the wedding of yours truly I was delighted to find some semblance of hops at the Wine Restaurant in Fira, Santorini in this finely crafted ale.

A deep amber hue with a modest haze gives the impression of rich Pale Ales or English Mild Ale. Light lace was a sight for sore eyes after looking for the same with their famed white wines and desert digestives.

An British-like demeanor chases this beer from the early nose of yeast fruits, hearty caramel malts, and spicy hops until its earthy linger of lupulin, nutty grain, and mild attenuation in finish. Apples, pecans, toffee, biscuit all weave into an ester-malty culmination that's balanced by the earthy bitterness of grass and spice from Noble English hops- slight fruity with orange zest and grapefruit carry a Challenger hop character that might remind me of citrusy American hops. Well melded sweetness takes the shape of mild ripe tobacco as the floral character of hops complement the bold malts. Thirst quenching and satisfying, this was a great find on the Greek Isles.

Notes: This beer apparently only uses "organic byproducts." It's a local place with limited production and distribution, and shows that there is indeed some hope for the Greek beer scene.

"A: Poured from the 330mL bottle into a pilsner glass. The beer is a dark gold with a 1 finger offwhite head that sticks around for a while.

S: Hoppy aroma of citrus and some pine. Light maltiness which is bready. Oranges, lemons.

T:Intro is somewhat fruity but subtle. Orange, apple, melon, pineapple ice cream. Light spices enter the picture on the midpalate.Finish is nicely balanced with hints of fruit over some light honey and a nice dryness. Taste lingers long.

F: Nice bite, medium body, finishing slightly dry.

D: Very nice and refreshing for a hot Athens day. Tasty but also somewhat subtle in a good way.