[ Beer Culture ]

One of the many bottles we brought back from Italy was Gea from Birrificio Baüscia in Milan, the brewery connected to Paolo Polli’s lovely Decanter restaurant, which combines traditional Milanese cuisine with a great beer list. (Yes, the idea of beer as an integral part of fine dining is really taking off in Italy. The cheese-topped veal meatballs at Decanter are outstanding — best beer food ever.)

Once we got home, however, I was hesitant to open Gea because of what it says on the label: BARLEY WINE. It’s been hot as heck in Central Europe, and consequently barley wines haven’t been on my agenda. But after having one of those days — you know the type, just one of those days — I opened it anyway.

To my surprise, it wasn’t much like Old Crustacean and Old Foghorn. Instead, it made me think of several strong Belgian ales — and as such it went down perfectly on a summer eve.

Here’s what I put down in my notebook (and later added to Gea’s listing at Ratebeer): (more…)