Lagers, Grapes and Portuguese Beer

May 3

Crafting a Revolution: A Journey through Portugal's Craft Beer Scene with Nick Rosich

From Pittsburgh to Portugal: A Brewer's Journey

Introduction

Portugal may be renowned for its rich wine tradition, but a vibrant craft beer revolution is bubbling beneath the surface. In this exclusive interview, we dive into the heart of this movement with Nick Rosich, the mastermind behind the acclaimed Portuguese brewery, Cerveja Musa. Join us as we explore his journey from the U.S. to Portugal, the challenges overcome, and the exciting future awaiting Portugal's craft beer landscape.

The Backstory

Nick's love affair with beer began in his late teens, fueled by his European travels and a DIY spirit. "Those trips with my dad, seeing him enjoy a good beer with friends... it made me realize there was something more to beer than what I'd seen back home," Nick recalls. He started homebrewing, experimenting with recipes and finding the joy in creating his own beers.

His passion led him to brewing school and then to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he honed his skills in the city's bustling craft beer scene. But it was Portugal's charm and untapped potential that eventually won him over. "I fell in love with Portugal on those first visits," says Nick. "The history, the slower pace... and I knew there was room for something different in the beer market." In 2019, he made the leap, leaving the U.S. to forge a new path in Portugal's burgeoning craft beer scene.

Listen to the full interview here:

Navigating Portugal's Unique Landscape

When Nick arrived in Portugal, the craft beer scene was still in its infancy. The dominance of the wine industry and its untaxed status posed a formidable hurdle. "It's hard to compete when someone can buy an amazing bottle of wine for the same price as one of your carefully-crafted beers," Nick admits. However, he found hope in Portugal's openness to quality, locally-made products. Cerveja Musa was born, with a focus on approachable, well-crafted beers that could appeal to a broader audience.

Reviving Marvila: Where Beer Meets Art

Cerveja Musa made its home in the industrial district of Marvila, a former warehouse district on the outskirts of Lisbon. Their arrival became a catalyst for change. "Marvila was a bit rough around the edges when we first moved in, but that's part of its charm now."

The brewery's presence attracted other like-minded businesses - breweries, galleries, and more. "Suddenly, there was this sense of community, of creating something new together," Nick explains. Marvila has been transformed into a thriving hub for craft beer, art, and culture.

Challenges and Triumphs: Growing in Portugal

Nick shares his insights on navigating Portugal's evolving craft beer market. Educating consumers about the value of craft beer was an initial challenge. "Many people were used to the two big national brands, and at first, a different flavor profile or a slightly higher price point was a hurdle," he says. However, the quality and creativity of Portuguese brewers have steadily improved, leading to greater acceptance and a growing thirst for innovative beers.

He also denotes that sourcing ingredients presented another challenge: "Honestly, sometimes finding the right hops is a challenge, but it forces us to be creative and work with what we have locally."

But in the end Cerveja Musa's focus on approachable beers, strategic growth, and expansion into new markets are driving their ongoing success and they have been widely recognized by it.

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Cerveja Musa's Success Philosophy:

Nick emphasizes the importance of approachability. "We want to make beers that someone new to craft beer can enjoy, that doesn't overwhelm the palate," he explains. Let's explore a few examples:

Musa Pilsner: Crisp, refreshing, with a delicate floral hop aroma and subtle malt sweetness. A perfect gateway beer for those transitioning from lighter lagers.
Musa IPA: Balanced bitterness with bright citrus notes, showcasing the potential of American-inspired hops in a Portuguese context.

Cerveja Musa isn't afraid to experiment with local ingredients too. Nick proudly mentions their summer seasonal, a refreshing Berliner Weisse brewed with sun-ripened peaches from the Alentejo region. The subtle sweetness of the peaches perfectly complements the tartness of the Berliner Weisse style, creating a truly unique and Portuguese-inspired beer.

Expansion and experimenting a lot is a key part of Cerveja Musa's plans and the way they plan for success:

"Yeah well we'll brew on their first small batch stuff anything that because a lot of times you'll have a bar that wants some kegs. Their label. But they want something. Really out of the ordinary. They're not going to be able to sell the smallest batch in two years, 2000 liters. They're not going to be able to sell liters of that, you know that. So over there we can do 500 liters over there if we have an idea. Like for this year we were talking about a couple of different styles to do and we can play around with them, we can tweak them, especially if none of us in the brew staff are really familiar with that style. It's just something we want to do for creativity, not just to the same 810 beers all the time. So it's a good place to just to test out and see, like, all right, this will work, all right? This won't work. Yeah."

Conclusion: Portugal's Beer Future

Nick believes the future of craft beer in Portugal is incredibly promising. With a younger generation embracing craft beer and a passionate brewing community, Portugal is poised to become a significant player iNick believes the future of craft beer in Portugal is incredibly promising. With a younger generation embracing craft beer and a passionate brewing community, Portugal is poised to become a significant player in the Southern European craft beer scene.

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