the menace - pastry sour

For almost two decades, Hungary has crowned a Cake of the Year annually. In 2024, the choice fell on a creation by Alfréd Kovács: The master pastry chef from the Édes Vonal pastry shop in Vác baked feather-light almond and poppy seed sponge cakes with the theme of "superfoods," pairing them with airy white chocolate cream, crunchy, candied black sesame seeds, and blackcurrant jam. This multi-layered masterpiece boasts a magnificent appearance and a delicious balance of creamy sweetness and fruity acidity. The varied textures add the finishing touch to this masterful pastry.

In an unusual collaboration, the Budapest-based brewery FIRST Craft Beer invited the winning baker to transform his cake into an exquisite beer. The Menace is a surprisingly powerful sour beer with a captivating 7.0% alcohol content and a whole host of extra ingredients that transform the beer into a liquid dessert. The jam layer in the cake is represented by a blackcurrant puree, while rock candy and cookies conjure up a delicious imitation of a sponge cake in the beer. Greek yogurt and white chocolate essence contribute creamy notes, while black sesame essence adds a nutty crunch.

The Menace is a cherry-red delight with juicy currants, sugary biscuits, and chocolatey cream, making it the perfect beer for those with a sweet tooth!