We return this week for our Croatian Craft Beer series during this suddenly unbearable June heatwave. With the air conditioner blasting and the fear of opening the door to the outside world, I’m pretty sure most of us are in need of a cold one. This week we introduce you to Hvar’s own Vunetovo Brewery, brewing since 2008 and in business since 2015.
Following a strict rule that “natural is best”, Vunetovo only uses natural ingredients in their beers. Not as strict as the Bavarian Purity Law that states that you should only brew with malt, walter and hops, Vunetovo likes to introduce flavors such as medicinal herbs, oatmeal, or unmalted wheat grains to their brews.
Made entirely from scratch in their small home brewery in Hvar, Vunetovo starts with running fragrant malt through the fingers, adding aromatic hops through a suitable strain of yeast, refermentation in bottles and the tasting after. All while letting it mature the proper amount of time.
Photo courtest of Vunetova
Vunetovo produces five different types of beers:
Their stout Farabut is 5.4% alcohol, dark and intransparent that surprises with a high degree of drinkability Using only English variety of hops, this beer is low carbonation, creamy, and silky in flavor.
Hvarska Medicina also 5.4% alcohol but more neutral flavor, with the hops giving it a balanced bitterness. A unique aroma, white head, and subtle herby taste with a malty background make for an enjoyable drink.
À la Americana is their wheaten beer, American style. With 5.4% alcohol, this beer has an aroma of hops from behind the ocean, tropical fruits and a full malt flavor in the background. The peel of bitter Hvar oranges are this beer’s special ingredient.
The Alaskan Mrgud carries the highest alcohol content with 5.9%. Brewed in honor of an Alaskan Malamute, the Mrgud is a classic black IPA, with ruby reflexes, complex aromas and a heavy bitterness. Despite what you may think, the Mrgud has a high degree of drinkability, is nonaggressive and well balanced.
Lastly we have the Saison Dekot, with 5.4% alcohol. After taking a break from brewing in July and August, a sasion beer usually comes first – more complex and definitely unusual. Using ingredients characteristic to the island of Hvar, mountain ash and quince fruit make dominate the flavors of this saison.
Photo courtesy of Vunetova
You can find Vunetovo at:
OPG Anna Tuszynska
Put Podstina 13
21450 Hvar
Or you can order at Vunetovo at these restaurants and cafe bars: Craft Room, Tolkien’s House, Magic Beer Room, Pivoteka, Cafe Bar A’e, Stella Beer To Go, Leopold’s Delicatessen Bar, Mali Dućan Matejuška, and Pivnica Pivac throughout Croatia.
