Bicho do Mato in a bottle

Bicho do Mato is personality and beer. Personality of the cook Ljubomir Stanisic and a drink created by him, in partnership with Cerveja Letra (a project created in 2013 at the University of Minho by Francisco Pereira and Filipe Macieira, based in Vila Verde, which already has 15 international awards). And if the name was born in the country, it was also there, in Santa Margarida da Serra, that, on January 6 2018, Bicho do Mato was presented for the first time.

This new drink of the most-Portuguese-Yugoslav-ever is 100% natural but also 100% special. Special of “spiced”, but also seasoned with the head, trunk and members of the enfant terrible of Portuguese gastronomy, who, to the alphabet of malts and hops, added his ras-el-hanout (a spice that is a mixture of many others, of Moroccan origin). With a label designed by Hélio Falcão, it is a full-bodied, robust, balanced and even unusual (with citric and tropical aroma) beer – a reflection of Ljubo’s character.

On January 6, when Bicho do Mato was presented for the first time, the usual annual party offered by the town to its inhabitants became a banquet for around 200 people. The community was involved with the goal of raising funds for the recovery of the local church and collecting food and clothing to support the poorest people, and many contributed with their work and with ingredients for this solidarity event. From pumpkins to bread, from goats to potatoes, from pork to chicken, the party was made for everyone by everyone, with the voluntary participation of friends and cooks, such as chef Hugo Nascimento, from Grupo Quina (Tasca, Peixaria and Padaria da Esquina), and part of 100 Maneiras’ team. Because a wild animal (“Bicho do Mato”) has friends too…