About craft beer with Craft Beer Voyage Romania - interview with Ioana Coca
Craft beer is making its way more and more in Romania and beer tastings are starting to be more present. Because we noticed they are of interest for the wine lovers, beer tastings have been published for some time in Winesday App in a category dedicated to drinks other than wine.
So we spoke with Ioana Coca about her new project, Craft Beer Voyage Romania. Ioana's name is also linked to the establishment of a microbrewery in Romania, but in the following interview we let her to tell more.
Carmina Nitescu: Hello Ioana, I am glad to talk to you today! We met in the context of wine but you come from the world of beer. Tell us something about yourself so that readers can get to know you.
Ioana Coca: My story with craft beer started 15 years ago and, like many passions that change your life, it evolved naturally. From home brewing experiments in the kitchen, to co-founding a microbrewery and then exploring beers around the world, I discovered that craft beer, like wine or other beverages, has the power to connect people and stories. In this 10-year journey in the industry, I've learned that, beyond the drink, it's about curiosity, the joy of discovery and above all, the appreciation of the authentic.
Carmina: Your passion for beer has made you create new things for some time. Please tell me something about your new project, Craft Beer Voyage Romania. What is this project about and what can the public expect in the future?
Ioana: Craft Beer Voyage Romania represents my effort to bring craft beer culture in the spotlight. It is a project that aims to educate and inspire, through events that turn tasting into a true sensory journey.
In each session, we explore extremely different assortments. It is similar to what happens with wines, where each glass takes you to another region, to another passionate producer. Likewise here, each selected beer is a stop on a journey through the world of craft beer, accompanied by the stories behind its creation.
This approach comes from the belief that craft beer deserves to be understood and appreciated at its true worth. In addition, I believe that the craft beer phenomenon is also a remarkable example of entrepreneurship born of passion, considering that many of the craft beer producers started their journey simply from the love of this product.
Carmina: Do you think wine lovers would drink beer? Are beer and wine similar in any way?
Ioana: Absolutely! Over the years I've noticed that wine enthusiasts are often the most enthusiastic and surprised attendees at beer events. And naturally, both wine and craft beer share complex flavors.
I also want to mention an example of the intersection between the worlds of wine and beer through the Belgian Lambic style. These beers are a pure expression of the local Belgian terroir. They are created by spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, matured in oak barrels and can be blends between batches matured for different periods. In addition, the carbonation is done naturally, by refermentation in the bottle.
We recently featured a creation from Tilquin Gueuzerie, where the brewer added 250 grams of Viognier grapes to each liter of beer during barrel aging. The result was a complex drink that bridged the two worlds and was truly the surprise of the evening.
In addition, all beers are served in elegant stemmed glasses. This attention to detail and respect for the product makes the experience familiar and appreciated by wine connoisseurs.
Carmina: As part of Craft Beer Voyage Romania, you proposed to organize themed events where you would explain beer, pair it with food and at the same time provide some basic information to beer enthusiasts (or future enthusiasts). How is Romania in terms of information/education about beer? Is there an established audience when we discuss craft beer?
Ioana: These craft beer exploration sessions represent only the first chapter of the Craft Beer Voyage project. We structured these meetings as an introduction to the world of craft beer, where participants understand the three fundamental types of fermentation - lager, ale and spontaneous - accompanied by carefully prepared platters.
The craft beer market in Romania is following an interesting path. Over the past 10 years, with the emergence of the first local craft microbreweries, a community has gradually formed. However, we are at the beginning of the road compared to the markets of the West and the USA, where the craft beer movement has been developing since the 80s. But we've noticed that the appreciation of craft beer increases significantly when people learn the stories behind it. Therefore, at events, the selection of beers is guided not only by their sensory profile, but also by the narrative behind each one.
Carmina: Tell us something about the next beer tasting you are organizing on January 30th in Bucharest. What is the theme and what can we expect? Are there still available places? Where can registrations be made?
Ioana: The timing of the end of January aligns with the current trends, I notice more and more interest in conscious and moderate consumption, which fits perfectly with the Craft Beer Voyage philosophy, where the emphasis falls on tasting beers in small quantities. For this reason I set the first event at the end of the month.
This session will be a journey through five countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium and USA. As at every event, we will start with a special aperitif, in the past we have surprised the participants with specialty Kombucha, keeping the element of discovery for non-alcoholics as well.
For those interested, there are still a few places available.
Registrations can be made through:
Email: ioana@craftbeervoyage.com
WhatsApp: 0725 436 182
All the details of the event are available on the Craft Beer Voyage Romania Facebook page, which, together with Instagram, is constantly updated with news and information about the following experiences.
Carmina: The beer tastings signed by Craft Beer Voyage Romania are already present in Winesday App mobile application and will be published here as you launch them. What are the next topics of discussion that you intend to address in the next tastings?
Ioana: In the coming months I will develop several directions. The first is the basic event series which explores the diversity of beer styles and fermentation types, giving attendees the tools to confidently navigate the world of craft beer.
For more advanced connoisseurs, we prepare specialized themed evenings. An example will be sessions with Barrel Aged beers, specialty beers matured in wine, whiskey, rum or cognac barrels. We will also explore the world of spontaneous fermentation beers or focus on a country, beers with different styles only from one country.
The experience will also be extended through regional events to promote craft beer culture throughout the country and, perhaps most interestingly for food lovers, specialized beer and food pairing sessions in collaboration with selected restaurants, where we will create concept menus that highlight the versatility of craft beer in association with refined dishes.
Carmina: Ioana, thank you very much for the time you gave me and I can't wait to get to a beer tasting at Craft Beer Voyage Romania! I wish you a year full of tasty events!
Ioana: Thank you too! I am waiting for you with joy. It is always a pleasure to see the reaction of wine connoisseurs to our tastings.
Actually, one of the most honest feedbacks I received recently comes from a wine enthusiast and I want to leave it here: "I have been to dozens of wine tastings and I never thought that there can be something behind the classic beer, the companion of football games and summer evenings. And yet I went to a tasting of Craft Beer Voyage somewhere in December. This is an honest review alcoholic anonymous passionate: it's incredible the new world discovered and the stories behind a tradition as old as wine. I recommend at least one CBVR event as a twist of life and perspective!"
Carmina Nițescu
Winesday.ro & Winesday App
So we spoke with Ioana Coca about her new project, Craft Beer Voyage Romania. Ioana's name is also linked to the establishment of a microbrewery in Romania, but in the following interview we let her to tell more.
Carmina Nitescu: Hello Ioana, I am glad to talk to you today! We met in the context of wine but you come from the world of beer. Tell us something about yourself so that readers can get to know you.
Ioana Coca: My story with craft beer started 15 years ago and, like many passions that change your life, it evolved naturally. From home brewing experiments in the kitchen, to co-founding a microbrewery and then exploring beers around the world, I discovered that craft beer, like wine or other beverages, has the power to connect people and stories. In this 10-year journey in the industry, I've learned that, beyond the drink, it's about curiosity, the joy of discovery and above all, the appreciation of the authentic.
Carmina: Your passion for beer has made you create new things for some time. Please tell me something about your new project, Craft Beer Voyage Romania. What is this project about and what can the public expect in the future?
Ioana: Craft Beer Voyage Romania represents my effort to bring craft beer culture in the spotlight. It is a project that aims to educate and inspire, through events that turn tasting into a true sensory journey.
In each session, we explore extremely different assortments. It is similar to what happens with wines, where each glass takes you to another region, to another passionate producer. Likewise here, each selected beer is a stop on a journey through the world of craft beer, accompanied by the stories behind its creation.
This approach comes from the belief that craft beer deserves to be understood and appreciated at its true worth. In addition, I believe that the craft beer phenomenon is also a remarkable example of entrepreneurship born of passion, considering that many of the craft beer producers started their journey simply from the love of this product.
Carmina: Do you think wine lovers would drink beer? Are beer and wine similar in any way?
Ioana: Absolutely! Over the years I've noticed that wine enthusiasts are often the most enthusiastic and surprised attendees at beer events. And naturally, both wine and craft beer share complex flavors.
I also want to mention an example of the intersection between the worlds of wine and beer through the Belgian Lambic style. These beers are a pure expression of the local Belgian terroir. They are created by spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, matured in oak barrels and can be blends between batches matured for different periods. In addition, the carbonation is done naturally, by refermentation in the bottle.
We recently featured a creation from Tilquin Gueuzerie, where the brewer added 250 grams of Viognier grapes to each liter of beer during barrel aging. The result was a complex drink that bridged the two worlds and was truly the surprise of the evening.
In addition, all beers are served in elegant stemmed glasses. This attention to detail and respect for the product makes the experience familiar and appreciated by wine connoisseurs.
Carmina: As part of Craft Beer Voyage Romania, you proposed to organize themed events where you would explain beer, pair it with food and at the same time provide some basic information to beer enthusiasts (or future enthusiasts). How is Romania in terms of information/education about beer? Is there an established audience when we discuss craft beer?
Ioana: These craft beer exploration sessions represent only the first chapter of the Craft Beer Voyage project. We structured these meetings as an introduction to the world of craft beer, where participants understand the three fundamental types of fermentation - lager, ale and spontaneous - accompanied by carefully prepared platters.
The craft beer market in Romania is following an interesting path. Over the past 10 years, with the emergence of the first local craft microbreweries, a community has gradually formed. However, we are at the beginning of the road compared to the markets of the West and the USA, where the craft beer movement has been developing since the 80s. But we've noticed that the appreciation of craft beer increases significantly when people learn the stories behind it. Therefore, at events, the selection of beers is guided not only by their sensory profile, but also by the narrative behind each one.
Carmina: Tell us something about the next beer tasting you are organizing on January 30th in Bucharest. What is the theme and what can we expect? Are there still available places? Where can registrations be made?
Ioana: The timing of the end of January aligns with the current trends, I notice more and more interest in conscious and moderate consumption, which fits perfectly with the Craft Beer Voyage philosophy, where the emphasis falls on tasting beers in small quantities. For this reason I set the first event at the end of the month.
This session will be a journey through five countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium and USA. As at every event, we will start with a special aperitif, in the past we have surprised the participants with specialty Kombucha, keeping the element of discovery for non-alcoholics as well.
For those interested, there are still a few places available.
Registrations can be made through:
Email: ioana@craftbeervoyage.com
WhatsApp: 0725 436 182
All the details of the event are available on the Craft Beer Voyage Romania Facebook page, which, together with Instagram, is constantly updated with news and information about the following experiences.
Carmina: The beer tastings signed by Craft Beer Voyage Romania are already present in Winesday App mobile application and will be published here as you launch them. What are the next topics of discussion that you intend to address in the next tastings?
Ioana: In the coming months I will develop several directions. The first is the basic event series which explores the diversity of beer styles and fermentation types, giving attendees the tools to confidently navigate the world of craft beer.
For more advanced connoisseurs, we prepare specialized themed evenings. An example will be sessions with Barrel Aged beers, specialty beers matured in wine, whiskey, rum or cognac barrels. We will also explore the world of spontaneous fermentation beers or focus on a country, beers with different styles only from one country.
The experience will also be extended through regional events to promote craft beer culture throughout the country and, perhaps most interestingly for food lovers, specialized beer and food pairing sessions in collaboration with selected restaurants, where we will create concept menus that highlight the versatility of craft beer in association with refined dishes.
Carmina: Ioana, thank you very much for the time you gave me and I can't wait to get to a beer tasting at Craft Beer Voyage Romania! I wish you a year full of tasty events!
Ioana: Thank you too! I am waiting for you with joy. It is always a pleasure to see the reaction of wine connoisseurs to our tastings.
Actually, one of the most honest feedbacks I received recently comes from a wine enthusiast and I want to leave it here: "I have been to dozens of wine tastings and I never thought that there can be something behind the classic beer, the companion of football games and summer evenings. And yet I went to a tasting of Craft Beer Voyage somewhere in December. This is an honest review alcoholic anonymous passionate: it's incredible the new world discovered and the stories behind a tradition as old as wine. I recommend at least one CBVR event as a twist of life and perspective!"
Carmina Nițescu
Winesday.ro & Winesday App
