Pilon
Casa Humilde Cervecería Artesanal

 

Very dry and bitter, relatively phenolic taste and aroma with some pepper and clove notes. Initial sweetness is light with some dried orange character. Typical appearance with lasting lacing. This is very solid to me, though some may consider it "spicy".

I'm liking Casa Humilde and their whole-set up within the District Brew Yards. I hope to visit them sometime when it is safe... (My chances of going to a bar has improved because, this Covid response finally got intelligent leadership at the very top... and, hopefully, vaccines for all.)

Until then, I hope Casa Humilde survives for they deserve a future. For now, I'm fine with drinking Casa Humilde out of the can. And Pilon I will return to. My can -- carried from the curb at Beermiscuous -- conveys their distinctive sugar cane, Piloncillo... and interesting substitute for Belgian brewers sugar.

At any rate, I like Pilon. Me gusta mucho Pilon! An impressive interpretation of the Belgian strong style, particularly since Casa Humilde is so young. I suggest few improvements. While more active swirling protein might be nice, that is hard to get the yeast to act like that during the early iterations. With a better yeast, a longer-lasting foam would convey more life. But for now, Pilon Looks a nice, clear crystal bronze in my tulip. Smells are subtle, some fruit/orange, some spices in the back. Tastes follow, but a wonderful balance; all ingredients playing nice, even Piloncillo (the Mexican sugar used) doesn't get too sweet, in part from moderate use of hops which, in turn, creates a nice semi-dry finish. Clean in the mouth (perhaps with a touch much of phenols), all is good at 7%.

I finish where I started. I'm liking these guys. A tap and atmospherics would be great; but the Casa's brews are coming out just fine from cans. Since I enjoyed Pilon so much while I was cooking, I will have another paired with food... maybe even a mild Mexican dish.

9/1/21 Waited too long for a second chance. I'm thinking the Casa changed the recipe a bit as this finishes almost semi-dry. The phenols are still a small flaw and the spicing make Pilon less of a friend for most subtle pairings at the table. But, I want this more than every year. In the meantime, I'm counting over @ UnTappd.