Meet the Brewer - Naparbier from Spain

Join us this Tuesday, 27 May, at Jimmy's No. 43 for an informal meet-and-greet with Brewmaster Juan Rodriguez and Sven Bosch from Naparbier. They're in town before heading up and down the east coast brewing collaborations with Pretty Things, Cambridge Brewing, Oxbow, and Weyerbacher.

Naparbier is a co-op brewery located near Pamplona, Navarra, Spain. The name is a combination of Napar, which means Navarra in the Basque language, and the German word for beer. Juan started brewing traditional German beers in 2009 but now brews all styles including pilsner, IPA and imperial IPA, Russian imperial stout, and barleywine. He's also brewed collaborations with a variety of European brewers including Mikkeller, Nøgne Ø, and Beavertown.

We'll be pouring 3 of their beers:

• ZZ+ Amber - malty and well-hopped amber ale
• Naparpils - an easy-drinking, food-friendly, unfiltered pilsner
• Sai Saison - refreshing saison with orange and lemon peels

There will also be a guided beer and cheese pairing using Naparbier beers led by cheesemonger Pamela  Brewer. Get tickets for the pairing here.

Jimmy's No. 43 is located at 43 E. 7th Street and the Napar fellows will be arriving around 7pm following their appearance on Beer Sessions Radio (along with guest Jason Perkins of Allagash). Tune into the Heritage Radio Network to listen live or listen later via iTunes.

Pivovar Kout - Traditional Czech Lager

Just in time for the spring drinking weather we've sent a limited amount of kegs to New York from Pivovar Kout na Sumave in Bohemia, Czech Republic. While written records date the brewery to 1736, it was probably founded in the 16th century. Like many small breweries, Kout was shut down during communism but was recently revived by Jan Skala who worked at the brewery as a young man.

Pivovar Kout brews classic, earthy lagers using local barley, noble hops, and water from their own well. The Kout beers (pronounced "coat") are made from 200 year old recipes and brewed using either double or triple decoction mash. They are also open-fermented and unpasteurized and are therefore meant to be drunk as fresh as possible.  No vintage beer here, please!

The pivo:

• Koutska 10º - a hoppy golden lager, 4%
• Koutska 12º - the flagship beer, a classic traditional Pilsner, 5%

The kegs are popping up at select places around the city. Look for them this weekend at Jimmy's No. 43 in Manhattan, and at Henry Street Ale House and Franny's in Brooklyn.