Barcelona on a Tuesday afternoon

After two sunny days on the Costa Maresme, I caught a RENFE Rodalies (Cercanias) train from Pineda de Mar to Barcelona Sants (5 euros) on Tuesday 30 January, 2018.

There is a train every 30 minutes for the line, partly single track, that runs next to the beach for most of the 75 minute journey.

Costa Maresme - view from the train near Pineda de Mar / Calella

Passengers for Barcelona airport can change at Sants for a further 17 minute journey.

Thankfully I had nearly 24 hours left to visit some more beer bars in Barcelona!

There is an impressive entrance to the Parc de l'Espanya immediately south of Sants station.

100 metres further, just beyond Hotel Transit, I visited Zarautz for lunch of San Sebastian style pintxos and local Estrella Damm lager.

After checking into Hotel Transit I caught the green line (3) Metro from Tarragona to Diagonal (2.20 euros fare) in the Eixample district.

Emerging onto Passeig de Gracia after the 17 minute journey, it was a treat to see Antoni Gaudí's Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera, on the corner of Carrer de Provença.

Four blocks south west along Carrer de Provenca (171) leads to L´Espumossa Art & Cervesa Bar. Unfortunately it was closed for siesta time (15.00-17.00).

For readers of this blog it was worth taking photos of the menu and beer tap list blackboard displayed in the front window. 

Two blocks south east finds Mikkeller Bar Barcelona at Carrer de València 202 which was open and quiet at this time of day. The blackboard gives details of the lunchtime menu of the day - 11.50 euros and served from 1pm - 4pm.

Just inside, a colour-coded blackboard gives early notice of what beers are served from the 24 taps at the far end of the room.

The long room is furnished with Danish style furniture and light fittings in a style that will look familiar to anyone who has visited Mikkeller bars in Copenhagen.

Taking a seat at the bar, I explained my preference for pale beers to the barman who suggested Mikkeller Weird Weather Lactose IIPA. A sample of the hazy 8.3% ABV beer proved it had minimal bitterness and was soft on the tongue so the small glass ordered (4.5 euros) was a good beer to drink slowly.

As the only customer at the bar, there was a chance to chat with Martin the barman and discover that he prefers Barcelona to his Mallorca base in the winter months and that he originally hails from Uruguay. He kindly posed for a photo with a copy of Ullage, the West Berkshire CAMRA magazine and allowed me to leave it in the magazine rack for others to read.

Martin agreed with me that the bar is spacious and that space between tables allows customers more privacy than in a more compact bar. He suggested a visit to NaparBCN as another Barcelona bar that nails it as a nice place with good food.

Anakena House - museum entrance on right side of building

Before heading for nearby NaparBcn, there was time for a visit to the MMBCN / Museo del Modernisme, Carrer de Balmes 48, two blocks north east and then two blocks south east.

Coffer / desk by Joan Busquets (1905)

This small museum includes furniture, sculpture, mosaics and paintings from the era of Catalan Modernism (1888-1911). 

Following Martin's advice my next destination was NaparBCN, This was my second disappointment of the day. The doors were closed and an A4 sheet of paper was pinned at eye level - Hoy con motivo de la presentacion de productos Redken Brews, el local permnecera cerrado al publico general. Disculpen las molestias. I don't speak Spanish but I know that cerrado means closed so I had to make do with an exterior photo for this blog post. 

Heading two blocks south west and one block north west took me back to BierCaB, previously visited on Saturday night and where the excellent service was mentioned in my last blog post.

On this occasion there were plenty of spare seats so I was able to sit on a tall chair at one of the stylish metal tables that hang down and protrude from the side wall.
From tap 9, a change since Saturday, was Naparbier Capicua 1, a 5.4% New England IPA. Having missed a chance to taste Naparbier at the brewery's Barcelona outlet and as I enjoy this style, this was the obvious choice. The 25cl measure cost 4 euros and earned a good score from me (timofnewbury) on Untappd.  

A framed blackboard listed Tapas options but my eyes were checking the screens above the bar to choose my next beer.

From tap 10, a beer from Hamilton, Ontario, Ransack the Universe, brewed by Collective Arts Brewing was my second choice. Rich marmalade notes were revealed in this 6.8% ABV IPA.
Once again, with Manuel, at the helm, service at BierCaB was impeccable. 
My Tuesday afternoon in Barcelona was now over. To follow my Tuesday evening in Barcelona, which would begin at Barcelona Beer Company, look out for the next BeerEurope blog post.