Our passion for beer means we can't stop creating. This time, it's a new wheat beer brewed according to an old recipe that was on the verge of disappearing at the beginning of the 20th century.
Its story? We'll tell you.
Heliodora waited restlessly at the end of the road. At the end of February, her father always brought her Sanguinelli oranges from the market.
With the mountains covered in snow, in the depths of winter, those blood-red fruits seemed to announce the warm breeze of spring. And every year she wondered what the trees that grew such beautiful fruits must be like.
The history of orange trees is a long journey. They arrived in the Mediterranean from China a thousand years ago, when they produced a bitter fruit used as medicine and seasoning. They adapted so well to their new home that they spontaneously produced a multitude of new varieties until, in 1646, the Italian botanist Gian Battista Ferrari first described the red pigment in citrus fruits.
The different varieties of blood oranges traveled for centuries on sailing ships and became popular throughout Europe thanks to their resistance to long journeys. With the arrival of steamships, sailing time was reduced so much that other different varieties could be exported, and little by little blood oranges fell into oblivion.
But Heliodora never forgot them. The Mediterranean sun had reserved its gift for her in Altea, where she found the trees that had intrigued her since childhood. Now, every February, she goes to her centenary orchard with the excitement of a child to pick the Sanguinelli oranges that are added to this Berliner Weisse.
Heliodora, a soft, refreshing, and slightly acidic wheat beer, with the touch of color and aroma that these very special citrus fruits give it.
Prussian tradition and Mediterranean character.
(text by Juanvi, Heliodora's son-in-law)
A wheat and sour beer, included in the type of beers called "Sour," made with "Sanguinelli" oranges, blood oranges from a centennial grove in the town of Altea.
Its name, Heliodora, is in honor of the owner of the orange trees that produce these very special oranges.
With a distinctly acidic aroma, it can have a fruity character. No hop aroma. A very pale straw color and a dense white head. Always effervescent.
It is a limited edition beer, there are only 1000L and it will not be made again until the next orange harvest. So if you want to try it, hurry up and come to Althaia in Altea or you can also buy it in the online store starting this week.
Berliner Weisse is a regional specialty of Berlin, referred to by Napoleon's troops in 1809 as "The Champagne of the North" due to its lively and elegant character. Only two traditional breweries still make it.
So if you want to try it, come to Althaia in Altea or visit our online store this week and get some.