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My Beer Sommelier Certificate, and New Brazilian Beer

How were the holidays?
Many beers?
I hope so!
Before starting the new column, a great 2011 for everyone!

In December I graduated as a beer sommelier, pictured below with the certificate and my professors, sommeliers Kathia Zanatta and Alfredo Ferreira.
I graduated from ABS-SP (Brazilian Association of Sommeliers – Sao Paulo), which actually formed the first group of sommeliers from Brazil.

This was a big step for the growth of brewing culture in our country, and one which shows very good signs for our new mentality towards brewing.

In the last post I mentioned that I would bring news about the Brazilian craft beer market. I’ve decided to talk about Bamberg St. Michael and Due, both anniversary beers.

The Bamberg Brewery, from Votorantim City in southern Brazil, launched a new beer in celebration of their 5th anniversary. Called Bamberg St. Michael, it’s a German style Weizenbock.

The beer was matured for six months in oak barrels, which transferred much of their woody nuances. The dry hopping process was also used. The brewer Alexandre Bazzo also bottle conditions the beer, using champagne yeast.

In celebration of two years of Melograno & Beer Emporium, Due was launched in 355 ml bottles. The Dubbel-style brew is made with pomegranate in the composition and shows hints of chocolate and caramel, fruit reminiscent of dried banana, plum, and dried cherries, and hints of spices like cloves.

We have a new book about beer, too. The publisher Tinta Negra launches in Brazil the translation of “Beer & Philosophy” by Steven D. Hales.

Brazilian beer sommelier Cilene Saorin talks about the power aggregator of beer, and presents the types of beer produced in Europe, USA, and Latin America.

Cheers!

Raphael Rodrigues
Beer Sommelier
Have questions? Write me:
allbeersbr@gmail.com
All Beers (my beer blog in portuguese!)