Birradamare Birra Roma
This bottle of Birradamare Birra Roma is the second beer from the Italian brewer that I picked up a couple of weeks ago. The first was a really interesting Schwarzbier that drank more like a porter. The company’s Birra Roma, however stays a little more true to style.
This 5.5% ABV marzen may be more in-line with what we expect from this particular style, but it’s still got a ways to go to match par with the likes of Hacker-Pschorr or Spaten. Then again, those guys have been making their products for a few hundred years while Birradamare has only been in existence since 2004. That said, it is a tasty little brew that goes down smoothly.
Appearance
Birra Roma pours an orange-red in color with a frothy, tawny head of foam.
Aroma
Sweet caramel malt, apples, grains and a subtle array of spices fill the nose nicely.
Taste
Grains and malt sweetness dominate the palate while toasted bread, stone fruits and caramel are also present throughout. There’s a light level of hop bitterness that lingers in the surprisingly warming finish considering the modest ABV. There’s also an underlying blend of spices that rest gently in the background. It’s got a soft mouthfeel that accentuates the sweetness.
Overall
All in all, Birra Roma isn’t a bad beer. It’s just not up to the lofty expectations when I grab a bottle of marzen from the fridge. It’s got a solid flavor and there’s certainly potential from the brewery where this and their Schwarzbier are considered. I’m certainly open to trying more products from this Italian brewer.
Rating: 3.5/5
