Browar Palatum - "Maximus" ale [Poland]

Dzien dobry! I'm filing from Warsaw, Poland today, bringing you an example of fine Polish craft beer. Like much of Europe, Poland has a lot of beer, much of it generic German-style pilsners or malty, sweet brews like Zywiec or Tyskie, so I was really excited to find some unusual craft beers at Same Kraft Multitap, a tiny pub in the heart of Warsaw's Old Town.

Hidden away amongst the old houses, the pub is long and narrow, and to get to the six-seat bar, you have to wind your way past a small seating area and through a tunnel. The bar space is very small, and there's enough room for I would say 10 people to stand and sit comfortably. When I was there, all six seats were occupied by a group of heavy-drinking fellows from somewhere in the UK, but luckily there was a small set of stools off to the side that were unoccupied.

They had seven beers on draft, and a good mix too! Some stouts (way too hot out for that), and a couple of wheat beers. I wanted something unique and interesting, and here's on that looks like it would fit the bill - a 6.20% ABV "tropical chili ale" by Browar Palatum from right here in Warsaw.

Beyond what is listed above, not much about the beer was said on the draft placard, so it was a bit of a surprise.

The chili flavor is noticeable, but like any good pepper beer, it's not nuclear. The flavor is remarkably full - deeper and stronger than what was expected - and has an almost sugary taste...I'd venture to draw some similarities between hazy New England IPAs. Some juicy hops adds a body to the beer without bittering, and the pepper hangs on a bit after the beer is swallowed. Most importantly, it's remarkably light in terms of body. Full in flavor, but doesn't weigh you down like a triple IPA might. It's been very hot out - and Poland (like much of Europe) has a casual relationship with air conditioning, so a lighter, flavorful beer is just what the doctor ordered. 

In terms of value for the money, this - and much everything else in Poland - is super affordable due to the favorable exchange rate. For .3 liters of beer (about 11 ounces) it cost 10 zloty, so $2.80. Very, very affordable for draft beer at a pub. In DC, you'd expect this to cost four times as much. So definitely a good deal! I have been trying numerous craft beers around Warsaw this week, so hopefully the success of this one is indicative of the rest of Polish craft beer offerings.