As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marta Duic writes on the 12th of March, 2020, since the opening of the Grif Zagreb microbrewery in 2017, which is equipped with one of the most up-to-date brewing equipment, major investments have primarily focused on people, their skills and their knowledge.
Grif, a microbrewery in Zagreb that has so far launched nine different types of beer, has introduced yet another novelty – Green Grif, on the occasion of the St. Patrick’s Day. The specificity of this beer lies precisely in its obscure colour, obtained using the natural colours of spirulina algae. Considering that Grif is a microbrewery focused on the production of aromatic, unpasteurised and unfiltered beers in small batches right from the beginning of its existence, it isn’t surprising that they’ve opted for something as unusual as ”green” beer.
Matko Radovcic of the K Brewery, explains that it is a light, easily drinkable beer with an accentuated floral note that is obtained using German aromatic Tettnager hops and will be available from March the 13th, 2020, only at select outlets.
The reason for the launch was revealed by Mirko Banic Istuk, brewery master at the innovative Grif microbrewery.
”We were looking for a natural colour that doesn’t adversely affect the taste and aroma of the beer and, if possible, has an additional beneficial effect that would further enhance the beer. We opted for blue spirulina algae, which is one of the oldest organisms on the planet, more than 3.6 billion years old. Residents of Africa, North America and Asia have been using it for thousands of years as a dietary supplement. Even the ancient Aztecs consumed dried spirulina as a dry cake. It contains up to 60 percent protein in its dry matter, which is three times more than the protein content in beef,” Istuk Banic revealed at the launch of Grif’s brand new beer.
As stated, the Grif microbrewery has focused on the production of unpasteurised and unfiltered beer right from the very start, and due to the high level of specificity of the beer brewed, special attention is given to the facilities in which Grif is present.
”We’re always oriented towards achieving more and going one step further, to follow or even set new trends while demonstrating our own creativity, innovation and flexibility. We want to develop and nurture beer drinking culture in Croatia through our microbreweries. At the moment, we’re not present outside the borders of Croatia, but we’re not rejecting this possibility,” noted Radovcic.
Grif currently has employees, monthly production amounts to 200 – 300 hectoliters, and in the summer months it can grow up to 400 hectoliters.
According to him, the team of Grif microbrewery employees think about new styles and seasonal beers on an almost daily basis, and listening to the market and consumer preferences is absolutely crucial to them in their decision making.
Of the nine beers they have provided to the domestic market so far, despite being seasonal in their nature, Vanilla Bourbon Oak Porter and Hefeweizen were returned at the request of happy consumers.
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