One of the smaller "cervecerías", or beer bars,
in Barcelona, La Catedra is conveniently located on the Gran Via. Open from
17:00 (5 PM) to 02:00 (2 AM), the sidewalk at Esquina Muntaner is busy day and
night. The tapas on display look very tasty and come in styles both plain and
fancy. the varieties include meat, vegies and nuts. Cold sandwiches are offered
for 400 to 800 pts. Beers run 150 to 300 pts. Streetside is loud with TVs
present while the back is more quiet. An electronic cigarette machine returns
its products for your money while two adjacent slot machines just seem to take
money. Signs clearly warn that there is no service to anyone under 16 years of
age. "No se permite La Venta o el suministro de bebidas alcoholocas y tabaco a
los menores de 16 años. ( Ley 20/1985 del Parlamento de
Cataluña)"Eight bottled imports are available with
draught offerings from Tres Estrellas and Damm. The draught Voll-Damm is clear
dark gold with a thick white head. The medium body accompanies a malty flavor
balance with a smooth mouthfeel and slight alcohol character. The Damm Bock
appears filtered and opaque, also topped by a firm white head. Medium-bodied,
the dark malty flavor of the "beer-under-test" had an unfortunate distracting
astringency. The bottled Cobra Indian Beer is a clear gold. No doubt a result
to the label reference of "double filtered." The light body and light crisp
flavor may be the result of rice being a significant ingredient in the recipe.
Little malt is apparent and only a slight hops presence is detectable. The
label confirms the beer's "light" status with a 5-degree reference, indicating
the starting gravity for this recipe offered less than half the fermentable
sugars found in popular 12-degree European lagers. The bottles were freshness
dated and served months in advance of their marked "best by" dates
Reviewed by Tom Ciccateri - May
1999
La Catedra Cervecería
578
Gran Via de les Corts Catalunes
08011 Barcelona, Spain
Tel. 93 454
8429
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