WHEN
YOU’RE DRINKING THE WHOLE WORLD SMILES AT YOU
When
you’re lingering around the backyard pool and celebrating this 4th
of July with many Americans… sadly not all, remember you’ll never drink alone,
at least in Croatia.
They
like to drink in Croatia. According to one study Croatia is in the top 5 of alcohol
consumption per capita.
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| BUZA II DUBROVNIK |
So, when I belly up to the bar at Buza II in Dubrovnik to get an adult libation and
then sit out to admire the Adriatic at this cliffside aerie, what am I going to
savor?
Pivo
Beer /
pivo is the most popular beverage in Croatia with breweries like Karlovac,
Osijek and Daruvar. These larger breweries are found throughout the country,
but for the past number of years craft brewing has become increasingly popular.
Most of the micro-breweries are located near the country’s capital, Zagreb, but
they are now popping up everywhere! Lucky us we’ll soon get to drink something
from LAB in Split, Vunetova from the island of Hvar, or Sibenska pivovara
located near the Krka National Park!
Molim
Vas dvije pive. (May I have two beers)
Dingac
To exclude
other wines is a disservice to you my dear reader, because though Dingac is a
highly rated strong red from the Peljesac Peninsula, where my friend thankfully
has his summer home, Croatia has a number of exemplary wines. Just across
the Adriatic from Italy, Croatia has the perfect climate for producing wine. Another
is Posip, a white made on Korcula and Hvar. Babic is a full-bodied red from Sibenik
and Bodanusa whose name means “gift from God” has a light refreshing taste and
is from Hvar.
But, a
very fond memory of my last visit to the Peljesac Peninsula was from 1984 when
Zeljko, my friend with whom we’ll be staying, stopped at some farmhouse and
with some collected coins bought the wine produced here. No idea where it was,
but it was someone’s home brew and it was delightful!
Now,
you may be wary about wading into Croatia without a strong command of the language.
This primer may help.
Slivovitz
Croatia
is an Eastern European country and spirits are extremely popular and often distilled at
home! Chances are the neighbor is making rakija (fruit brandy) or slivovitz (plum
brandy) or something like that, or knows someone who is distilling.
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| A BOY AND HIS STILL |
I’ve
had slivovitz before, and when I say that it’s a cure all for what ails you,
including skin boils, please imbibe with discretion. Of course, you can
purchase a bottle from a liquor store, but you’ll probably offend your hosts!
Maraska slivovitz is produced in Croatia, if you don't want to go to your neighbor's backyard…….
God Bless America. Happy 4th of July everyone.
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