Beery Christmas Jour 19 : Dugges – Tropico Pop
The Swedish brewery Dugges
When we talk about Swedish beers and breweries, we can think of the eccentric Omnipollo, the famous fruity Brewski, the eco-friendly Oppigards or Dugges, the brewery with an incredible history. And just as well, because it's the latter that we're going to tell you about, since it has made its way into our 2022 Advent calendar, the Beery Christmas.
Learning about the Bolaget System
The story begins 20 years ago, in 2002, when brewmaster Mikael Dugge Engström met an English salesman specializing in brewing filters. So far, there is nothing surprising. However, he learns that this famous salesman is associated with a friend who is in the business of second-hand breweries. Our master brewer will dig his brains out and end up launching the adventure of his life. The Swedish law being very different from other countries, he starts by studying the Swedish legislation on alcohol, which works with a bolaget system for alcohols with an alcohol content higher than 3.5%.
In short, it is a state-run chain of liquor stores, which regulates and taxes products according to alcohol content. The sale is forbidden to people under 20 years old, and it can be done from 10am to 7pm from Monday to Friday and from 10am to 3pm on Saturday. If you can find a very wide range of products here, you will have to think twice before putting wine in your boeuf bourguignon or beer in your welsh, since prices are generally twice as high as in France. Once our dear Mikael has learned a lot about beer brewing, craft beer, fermentation and microbrewing, he starts building his brewery, which will open its doors in 2005. In three years, he goes from a project to concrete, for an installation which is made in Mölndal, outside the famous city Gothenburg, on the Swedish west coast. It is a small paradise not easily accessible, but for which the brewer had a real crush.
The beginning of brewing
For his first brew, Mikael Dugge Engström brewed a refreshing American Pale Ale, which is called Avenyn Ale. It was a success and interesting for the story it tells, and is still brewed today. It was a quick success as the craft beers were in high demand. The first year, there is a production of 300 hectoliters as well as regular visits of the brewery, which will allow the hiring of employees. In 2009, only four years after the opening, the space is optimized with a production of 1500hl. However, space was at a premium, so after a year of planning, research and construction, Dugges found a location in Landvetter in the municipality of Härryda, to brew 7000hl! With all this, many new beers are brewed as well as new styles! IPA, DIPA, Stout, Barleywine or Porter, the Swedish brewery goes as well towards lagers as dark beers. Today, it has made its way and reveals itself through our Beery Christmas with the Tropico Pop, a Mango & Passion Fruit Sour.
Dugges - Tropico Pop
Those who know Dugges know that fruity beers are their hobby. In love with gourmet and enchanting flavors, the Swedish brewery has launched the brewing of a beer that mixes mango and passion fruit. If the brewery has already brewed a beer with one fruit and then the other, they have never been put together in a brew, and even less in a sour style. Light behind its 4.5% alcohol content, Dugges Tropico Pop reveals a clear yellow color, topped with a fine white foam, for aromas of citrus, orange juice, tropical fruits and mango.
Once in the mouth, we find the same fruity aromas in a beautiful balance, with salty and acidulous touches. As its name indicates and without surprise, there is a major focus on passion fruit and mango, which makes it a very affordable beer, especially since it has a relatively watery texture. If of course the craft beer leaves the free interpretation to each one during the tasting, it is quite possible here that you will have the sensation to savor a juice which will remind you of your years of former days. It should be enjoyed at a temperature of about 6°C, with white fish or shellfish such as cod or scallops.
ALCOHOL ABUSE IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR HEALTH! PLEASE CONSUME WITH MODERATION.
