Wandering Brazil I: Stranger’s Cars & Craft Beer

Hey Hive! I’m back home and ready to share some Brazilian experiences. What better way to start than with a craft brewery—first things first!

However, my very first impression of Brazil was far from great. It was, in fact, my worst airport experience ever, and I’ve done my fair share of traveling. Immigration at São Paulo airport took two hours. No exaggeration here, I swear. There were two lines: one for Brazilian passport holders and another for everyone else. I got stuck in the latter, even though, as an EU citizen, I only needed about 15 seconds to show my passport and apply for a tourist visa. After a 13-hour flight from Barcelona, it was a frustrating start. Not the best way to impress visitors, I must say!

On the bright side, the delay gave me time to chat more with my seatmate from the plane, a Brazilian raised in Germany, returning to visit his family after a few years. Unfortunately for him, his Brazilian passport had expired, so he was stuck using his European one—right there in the same endless queue as foreigners. He was not the only Brazillian suffering from that sluggish bureaucracy, though. His old friend was also stuck—waiting for him in the airport parking lot, no doubt racking up an impressive parking fee.

Morning view at Vila Madalena. I eventually made it to the accommodation!

As our conversation flowed, I joked about requesting a refund from airport management for what felt like a lost night. “I should have booked the accommodation from tomorrow,” I said, staring at the barely moving line.

“Where’s your hotel, anyway?” Francisco asked.

“Vila Madalena. We heard it’s a cool and safe neighborhood.”

“No way! That’s where my grandma lives!”

He then offered us a ride with his friend, who probably hated the immigration process even more than we did.

Now, kids, never, ever do what I did. In a city like São Paulo, hopping into a stranger’s car—or with someone you’ve just met who appears kinda cool—is not the best idea. Particularly if you relate to your whereabouts, such as a phone or wallet. Or you can't imagine living without a kidney.

Anyway, I survived, safe and sound, and even saved $25 on an Uber.

After finally making it to the hotel, I collapsed into bed close to midnight local time. 4 a.m. in Prague. I was utterly exhausted. Needless to say, the first night wasn’t much fun.

Croma Microbrewery

The next day was rainy, as expected during Brazil’s rainy season. It poured cats and dogs out of nowhere, then stopped just as suddenly. The weather kept us from exploring much, but after taking a deserved rest, we naturally got thirsty. By evening, we decided to roam the neighborhood until we ran into a nice spot to grab a drink.

And then, like a Christmas miracle, a craft microbrewery appeared out of nowhere—I’m not kidding.

My Spanish girlfriend always teases me, claiming that I scout out and memorize every brewery within a 50-mile radius whenever we travel somewhere (and yes, there’s some truth to that). But this discovery wasn’t planned at all.

Croma doesn’t scream “Brazilian.” The vibe there could belong to just about anywhere, which, in a way, felt like home—despite being 10,000 kilometers away from Prague. The venue features a lounge upstairs, which hosted a private party that Saturday night, just before Christmas. Not a big surprise.

The taproom downstairs, however, was nearly empty—an unusual occurrence in a good Brazilian bar. We had the space almost entirely to ourselves, giving us the perfect chance to sample their brews and some junk food to accompany them.

Summer Vibes – Mango and Cashew Sour Ale
My girlfriend wanted to tune on the summer vibes with a sour ale, and this beer delivered on its name. It’s a proper, robust brew with prominent mango tones complemented by subtle cashew aromas. As my first experience with Brazilian craft beer, Summer Vibes set a positive tone for the trip—I could already tell I would enjoy the trip.

Cloudbreak – Witbier
Sticking to American styles is usually a safer bet in Brazil. My mild disappointment with European beer styles started with this witbier. (Did you know European hops, including Saaz, are grown in Patagonia?) The coriander notes were just right, but the orange peel was weak, almost absent. The beer had an unusual sugarcane aftertaste, which didn’t quite work for me. It didn’t convince me to go for a second glass.

Big Sur – Double West Coast IPA
Anyone who’s read Kerouac will recognize the name. When my girlfriend decided to shift from sours to IPAs, this one felt like a natural choice. The flavor profile is dominated by red oranges, which brought back memories of wandering through California years ago. The bitterness is well-balanced, making the beer surprisingly refreshing despite its high alcohol content. The sweetness in the aftertaste hints at its strength. A great beer.

Dark Pegasus – Bourbon Barrel Aged Café Stout
The standout of the evening—and a must-try for any beer lover. This stout is aged in one of the bourbon barrels displayed above and flavored with Dominican coffee. It boasts a rich chocolate aroma with a hint of bourbon. Drinking it feels almost indulgent, like having a slice of café-style chocolate cake for adults. Dense and robust, it leaves a pleasant aftertaste where chocolate, coffee, and bourbon blend seamlessly. I can’t recommend this one enough.

This is my #BeerSaturday challenge post, and I would like to invite @solominer to participate. I am sure there are some local brews he would find refreshing :) Write a post in any language about beer with at least 3 pictures. It does not have to be published on Saturday. Check the rules published by @detlev ;)

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