Providing on Esmeralda Island

Ireland, land of idyllic landscapes and countrymen always willing to share a laugh, stands out not only for its distillates, but also for its exquisite beers. If you have been lucky enough to tour this island, surely you have savored some of its iconic beers like Kilkenny, Murphy or the unmatched Guinness. And, if you have not done it, what are you waiting for to discover the hidden magic in its pubs?!

Guinness: A story of flavor and tradition

Founded in 1759 by the bold Arthur Guinness, the brewery that bears his name has left an indelible mark on the world’s beer culture. The famous Stout, with its characteristic black color and its creamy beige head, is a real delight. Imagine a mixture of toasted barley that not only gives life to its imposing color, but also provides a flavor that captures the senses.

More than color, an experience

If you are more of clear beers, you will be surprised to know that the Stouts, unlike the Pale Ales, have a much more robust flavor profile. With caramel, chocolate and coffee nuances, Guinness stands as the great black lady in a beer universe that often forgets its complexity. In each Irish pub, it is uncorked and served with a ritual as old as the time itself.

Guinness’s fascinating ‘ball’

And this is where the enigmatic ‘floating widget’ comes into play. This little but powerful device, approximately three centimeters, is the key to bringing the experience of a bar to the can. Have you ever wondered how to make a can be beaten as if you were enjoying it directly from the barrel? The magic is in that ball!

A sparkling trip

This ingenious invention allows beer to retain its low carbonation, which results in a rich and thick head. Instead of getting lost in bubbles, each sip unleashes a flavor waterfall, a wink to the quality that only Guinness can offer.

The mystery of the ‘Guinness cascade’

One of the most intriguing things in this beer is the phenomenon known as the ‘Guinness Cascade’. When you pint, bubbles seem to descend slowly, which generates a hypnotizing visual experience. This is not only a trick of the eye, but a beautiful effect caused by the temperature difference when serving, creating a magical current in the vessel that fascinates experienced drinkers.

Recommendations for beer lovers

If you are in Ireland, do not miss the opportunity to explore the rich variety of artisanal and traditional beers that the country offers. From tours for distilleries to tastings in cozy pubs, the Irish beer experience is something that transcends borders. Each pint tells a story, and each drink is a celebration of the rich culture that surrounds this mythical drink. Health!

A hops and malt transformation

In the Universe of Transmissions, a refreshing change is being cooking, and it is not only about the new recipe of the month. Women have taken a leading role in a traditionally masculine world, and Belgian breweries are feeling the aroma of that revolution.

De laboratory to La Cima: El Ascense de Anne-Françoise Pypaert

If you thought the women were not in command in the Transmissions, you will be surprised to know that since October 2013, the Brasserie D’Orval beer teacher, Anne-Françoise Pypaert, has changed that narrative. With an impressive history in the brewery since 1992, she has become the pioneer between the hops, breaking glass roofs in a long -time sector dominated by men.

The first steps in beer

When this talented chemistry raised for the first time the possibility of making beer, it was in a world where those ideas seemed as distant as a trip to the moon. However, over the years, culture began to change and, with it, the opportunity to find a place in a brewery became part of its future. Since then, he has been distilled his passion in Orval, where every day is a new adventure.

Orval’s magic: more than just beer

The story of Anne-Françoise is not only limited to beers. She is also the production director of the Orval cheese, where cheeses that are true delicacies are produced. Available in young variants, the ‘old’, and cheeses washed with beer, these cheeses are a tribute to trapense culture and proof that, when it’s taste, surprises never end.

A palate with history

It is curious to think that the first time that Anne-Françoise tried the famous Orval beer was just a couple of days before his interview, and he did it at a time when the idea that women appreciated bitter beer felt like a myth. However, she became the voice of many, pressing to knock down stereotypes of what women can enjoy.

A future full of hops

Now that Trapenses breweries are seeing a change in their staff structure, it is exciting to think about what the future holds. The story of Anne-Françoise is just a brilliant example. The beer field has an abundance of spaces and opportunities waiting to be occupied by women passionate about the art of the brewery, ensuring that the history of this drink does not end here.

Transmissions will continue to flow, but in the meantime, the contribution of Anne-Françoise and his companions is ensuring that the memory of their trip sits in each sip.

Did you ever surprise you to think that the famous IPA could actually be one more creation of chance than of a revolutionary invention? The story of this popular beer is full of nuances and contradictions that challenge the most simplified versions. Here I take you to a different tour, with some keys and new perspectives to understand how this style was born and how much there is a legend in his story.

Did there really exist a spark of genius in India?

Traditional history points to a London brewery called Hodgson, in the 18th century, as the father of presumable innovation. It is said that his pale Ale was specifically designed to resist the rigors of the Indian climate, and that techniques such as Dry-Hopping and a more abundant lupulate were implemented. But how much of this is supported by concrete evidence and how much by legends transmitted over time?

Between myths and facts: what evidence reveals

From the earliest historical records, we see that in the 18th century there were already Pale Ale to India, with clear records in 1705 and 1709 in London. But there is no solid evidence that these beers were specifically lupulated to withstand the heat or that the famous nickname ‘India Pale Ale’ had on their label. The first formal mention of the term dates from 1835 in the Liverpool press, long after the style had begun to become popular in certain beer circles.

The fragmented route towards fame

One of the key points in this story is to understand that many of the data that measure the popularity and expansion of these beers in the nineteenth century do not necessarily point to an original invention, but to a series of adaptations and respond to the commercial strategies of different brewers. For example, Hodgson could have been aware of the need to use greater lupulate by the recommendations that circulated in the 18th century manuals, but there is no evidence that their pale Ales were actually the first to fulfill that function.

A market strategy or genuine innovation?

Actually, it seems that the concept of preparing specific beers for the warm climate became a common practice, and the ‘India Pale Ale’ denomination probably arose to differentiate a variety that, due to its high content of hops and dry fermentation, managed to better resist the harsh conditions of the maritime path. However, this process was not exclusive to a brewer or a particular era.

Beyond mystery: a constantly evolving style

What is clear is that IPA today represent more than a simple geographical reference; They are a symbol of innovation and resistance in modern beer culture. The history that surrounds them remains a mixture of verifiable facts, assumptions and, sometimes, legends that enriches their unique character.

The future of the IPA will surely bring new interpretations and styles, but what remains constant is that ability to adapt and evolve, keeping a tradition alive that, although it does not have a clear inventor, it does have a whole story of effort, strategy and passion.