CL-085 David Neimanis Isn’t (Just) Bitter

Where does inspiration end and innovation begin? When it comes to contemporary takes on established traditions, that line can seem a bit blurry at times. But in David Neimanis’ piece “The Architecture of Brooklyn Amaro — What it Means to Make Amari in the New World,” which was published on August 19, 2021, he expertly explores that line, its lineage, and what the future holds for American-made amari. In our conversation, Neimanis describes what led him to write about amaro, and Brooklyn-made amaro specifically. He’s looked to the past before for Good Beer Hunting, but his passion for his home borough is evident throughout this piece, thanks in part to his ability to meet with subjects in real life once more, after a year where so many in-person events and tastings have been stifled. We talk about who inspires him as a writer, what attracts him to the bitter spirit, how balance coupled with bitterness can create unexpected flavor sensations, and what qualities he looks for in his glass. By exploring the tension between tradition and innovation, local versus global, and the various philosophies swirling together in this modern-day spirits renaissance, Neimanis doesn’t just talk about what it means to make amaro in Brooklyn—he shows us.