On the main drag of Av Revolución, this is a craft beer tasting room that features the beers from two different craft breweries, Teorema Cervecería and Lúdica Artesanal. The quality here is just outstanding, world-class really. The beers on tap here were significantly better than what goes as average for San Diego, considered the best city in the world for craft beer. These beers would be highly successful in the U.S.
The ambiance in here is awesome: small, modern, minimalist like a Japanese coffee shop. The tap list is displayed on flat-screen monitors with the beer names and the specs. The two screens are for each of the two breweries on tap.
We did sampler flights of just about everything available. Pours were in upgraded, finer glassware than expected with better pours than you get in U.S. tasting rooms or craft beer bars. Temperature was perfect, head/foam presentation was perfect. Really, the beers served here were at the world-class level I haven't had since Ma Che Siete in Rome or Arendsnest in Amsterdam. Those are the two best beer bars I've ever been to in my life. So I am putting this venue in my Top 5 of all time out of over 450 craft beer bars and brewery tasting rooms/brewpubs that I've visited across 24 countries.
Teorema beers in detail:
*Amigose Ciruela (gose with plums)
This was saltier and less sour than the non-fruited Amigose, but that made it more authentic in my opinion - closer to real German gose than American craft interpretations, which can be too sour. Didn't get any plum addition, though.
*Kaiman (Black IPA)
They nailed it. This Black IPA was robustly bitter and silky smooth in the palate with a coffee and cream flavor, char and grilled fruit. There was no astringency that plagues most beers in this segment. Outstanding.
Amigose (gose)
I appreciate the lower acid here compared to American versions. This was authentic, very salty, and refreshing with a Gatorade-like quality.
*Radical (APA)
A dying style, but they did it right. Clean, silky, sweet and balanced with orange peel focused bitterness to match a rich-body with caramel density.
Lúdica beers in detail:
*Baja Kölsch
A rare style that no one in their right mind attempts, Lúdica did the impossible. This Kölsch was perfection: soft-bodied with a rich malty base, super clean and slammable. This was the crowd favorite from our group of seasoned beer nerds. Better than 99% of all beers in the world attempting this style.
*Grisette
My favorite of the evening, this was super dry and ultra grassy/herbal hoppy in De Ranke XX Bitter fashion. There is a superb malt base and ultra clean finish with spicy phenols of white pepper and sage.
*HYPE (Hazy/NE IPA)
They nailed this very hyped and growing style. HYPE was juicy and soft-bodied with low bitterness and higher sweetness. Super soft and unbelievably good. Could easily take on the best from Modern Times, Burgeon, Fieldwork. read more