Xingu Black Beer 6-Pk

Description

Inspired by old recipes of Indian beer, Xingu Black Beer is a two-time winner of Beverage Testing Institutes Gold Medal as the best dark lager in the world. This exceptional beer is a great success in worldwide and has a following that ranges from beer critics to fans and consumers alike. It is a very well balanced beer, with subtle aromas and personality. 4.6% ABVHISTORYXinguThe Birth of a very special BeerHE HAD FOUND RECORDS DATING FROM 1557 ABOUT A BLACK BEER PRODUCED IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST WITH CORN AND MANIOC AND FERMENTED NATURALLY.On a hot summer day in 1987, a blond and slightly balding man with penetrating blue eyes walked into my office, accompanied by his young wife, a dark haired woman with a broad and frank smile. They were Alan Eames, writer, specialized in beer history and anthropology, and his wife Anne Latchis, of Greek descent, owner of a traditional hotel in the mountains of Vermont, in the United States. They had just been in an expedition into the Amazon rainforest, having come to Brazil in an adventurous trip in search of a lost beer.The trip had been motivated by an article Alan had written about the origins of beers in the world. In his research, he had found written records dating from 1557 about a black beer produced in the Amazon rainforest with corn and manioc and fermented naturally. Alan wished to create a beer that honored and preserved this ancient brew. This was the birth of Xingu, a pioneer in the segment of Specialty Premium beers that now enjoys worldwide prestige.Having failed to raise the interest of Brazils large brewers in this small and apparently off-track idea, Alan and Anne needed help. I was immediately attracted to the concept, and offered my help andelse except practicing Law, a career I had recently abandoned. However, this was a special venture Two interesting characters, the search for a lost beer style and a pioneer idea full of challenge and charm. I decided to move forward and risk my time and efforts.After driving over a thousand kilometers on highway BR 116, also known as Rodovia da Morte meaning Death Highway, I arrived at the small mountainous town of Cacador, in Santa Catarina where the warm Mr Pressanto greeted me with great hospitality. His brewery, even if somewhat shabby, was inviting and captivating, like a wonderful little museum Set in the hills of the small countryside town of Cacador, it was run by an old ships boiler in molten steel, the malt roasting in a hand driven steel drum slowly rotating over burning logs, the beer resting in traditional Czech ceramic-covered horizontal tanks.Cacadors brewmaster studied Alans research on Amazon beers and after some experimentation finally developed a delicious and very original brew based on the fusion of Brazilian native and European-born cultures that I immediately sent to Alan. Alan had booked a meeting set at the much looked after and prestigious American Culinary Institute of New York for a formal presentation of the beer,AFTER DRIVING OVER A THOUSAND KILOMETERS ON HIGHWAY BR 116, ALSO KNOWN AS RODOVIA DA MORTE MEANING DEATH HIGHWAY, I ARRIVED AT THE SMALL MOUNTAINOUS TOWN OF CACADORparticipation without a second thought. Before the couple fled back to the US we agreed that I would try to find a brewery and manage production in Brazil, while they would handle imports in the USA. I got a hold of a beverage industry yearbook that covered all of Brazil, and hung to a telephone line for 6 months hearing No, No, and No, until I finally got a Yes. And it wasnt a Yes from any brewery The very small Cervejaria Cacadorense, located over a thousand Kilometers from Rio, was practically bankrupt, sinking in debts. The company had been a Coca-Cola distributor, and in its happier days had produced an outstanding line of beers, all of which unfortunately had been abandoned. The owner, Ivo Pressanto, a man of Italian descent, was now associating himself with a group of businessmen with the purpose of reviving the business. I was worried. Things certainly didnt look easy I had no money, hated flying and knew nothing about beers or anythingwhich would be followed by a formal tasting and evaluation. After so much research and hard work, we were in panic, fearing the judgment that could either knock down months of very hard work, or, on the contrary, help us to finally start a venture I would never have entered into had I known the hardships I would face. The members of the Institute fell in love with the beer, and thanks to this endorsement and the originality of the whole project, the doors of the press and of shops and restaurants started to magically open. Xingu became known as one of the worlds best beers and is now increasing its line with the introduction of new styles., always looking for excellence. Xingu Black is not only a pioneer beer but also a prizewinner. For 2 years in a row it was awarded Gold Medals by the Beverage Testing Institute of Chicago and has been a successful contender in numerous international competitions over the years.