Cap Negret, our nitro oatmeal stout, once again proves that it's no ordinary beer. Its unique and revolutionary brewing process, using nitrogen gas instead of carbon dioxide, has been honored with the Innova Award, as part of the 2019 Artisan Week, organized by the Valencian Community Crafts Center of the Generalitat Valenciana, located in Valencia.
The award was granted on December 12th at the Valencian Community Crafts Center, presented by the Regional Minister for Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Labor, Rafa Climent. It recognizes artisans and their businesses in seven different categories: Tradition, Avant-garde, Communicate, New Talents, Artisan Woman, Craftsmanship, and Innova, the latter being awarded to our Cap Negret. Climent highlighted that "the importance of craftsmanship lies not only in its cultural and artistic value but also in being a consolidated economic sector that is committed to quality, innovation, cooperation, and new technologies." The event was also attended by the Director General of Trade, Consumer Affairs, and Craftsmanship, Rosana Seguí, and the Undersecretary of the Regional Ministry of Sustainable Economy, Natxo Costa.
Cap Negret is the first canned dark beer with nitrogen in Spain. Its production is 100% artisanal, but with the added innovation of replacing carbon dioxide with nitrogen gas, which gives the beer a creamy and consistent head, as well as unique organoleptic qualities. Its production demonstrates that craftsmanship is not at odds with new techniques and innovation, marketing, or avant-garde. In fact, this year it was already recognized with the Gold Medal (best in its category) at the National Beer Championship in Barcelona. This is one of the most recognized competitions in the craft beer sector in Spain, where all judges are recognized professionals in the industry.
From Cervezas Althaia, we would like to thank the Valencian Community Crafts Center for the distinction, and congratulate the entity and its founders (Generalitat Valenciana, Regional Ministry of Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Labor, and the Illustrious City Council of Valencia) for their work in disseminating, valuing, and consolidating craftsmanship and its various manifestations in our region.