Cala 'Librandi Gaglioppo' Italian Grape Ale

Librandi grows Gaglioppo at Cirò Marina and its must goes into the ferment here. Copper coloured, with ripe red berry fruit on the nose, violet and a spicy lift. Round and soft across the palate, well carbonated, and a lot stronger than it tastes.

Gaglioppo is the red grape Calabria is best known for, and Librandi at Cirò Marina is one of its best known growers. Cala built a grape ale around their must as the Crotone entry in a run of five beers, one per province.

Water, barley malt, hops, yeast and wine must are the whole recipe. The must pushes the alcohol well past normal beer territory and tints the beer copper. Foam is fine and sits at medium persistence, and the body lands in the middle rather than heavy.

A small bottle goes a long way at this strength. Split it across two glasses and put it next to something rich off the grill.