Hophead Craft Beer

Good news and another reason to visit Cluj! A small craft brewery has opened in Cluj-Napoca. And not just anywhere, right across the street from me. Tell me, how lucky am I! So this Thursday we'll be drinking beer, not wine.

Last November I was at a beer tasting and the taste of this beer stayed in my mind. Probably my preference for bitter beers made me notice it. And the fact that it was the only one served ice-cold. But since they didn't have labels or flyers at the time, I forgot the name. I asked around where to buy "something-with-head" beer, nobody knew. On New Year's Eve, Radu saw a Facebook post about a new brewery opened in Cluj and although they didn't have the address in the article, he recognized the building across from us from the photos. We showed up at the door. Surprise! We weren't alone. Cluj's foodies had recognized the building and came to see what this beer was about. And that's how on New Year's Eve table we had the freshest beer.

Hophead produces several types of beer, but being a small factory (literally the size of my living room!), they have about 2 varieties weekly. The labels are cheerful and especially offer complete information about what's inside, including serving suggestions. The attractive packaging makes them a suitable gift for any beer lover. I assure you that you'll be very hip.

Since it's an unpasteurized beer, it must be kept in a cool place (I keep it in the fridge). In Cluj you can also find it in a few bars (Old Friends in Hasdeu, Off the Wall and Sax in Museum Square).

My favorite from what I've tasted so far is Immigrant, an American Pale Ale, aromatic (grapefruit and pine) but balanced by the bitter taste of hops. The foam is creamy, compact, like cappuccino. The pleasant, fresh smell announces the balanced taste. The producer recommends it for grilled meat and shawarma. Alcohol 5.1%

Opium (Indian Pale Ale) is another very good option, especially if you like very bitter beers. The smell has citrus notes (grapefruit and pomelo peel) and slightly sweet (like caramel custard), which are then felt in the taste too, but immediately the intense taste of hops comes to temper them. It's just a shade more reddish than Immigrant and the foam is thicker but more airy. It's recommended alongside smoked meat, spicy food and blue cheese. Alcohol 6.5%

AutoPilot should be ready soon, I heard it's a light blonde beer, I can't wait to try it.

More about the beer, current varieties and where to find it you can read on their Facebook page.