There was a time not too long ago when the fanciest beer you could get in Italy was Menabrea…Peroni, Moretti were the staples. Now, thanks to Teo Musso and his Beer Baladin, there are a number of craft brewers taking a shot at it and doing a great job.
A nice selection of taps, really clean bar and great food too. I love when the bartender does a slow pour to let the beer rest and then top it off. A little story, my first experience with that was in Berlin many years ago. I just wanted my beer, but I realized the bartender was a professional and I had to, well, as they say, “when in Rome”(or Berlin). When my beer finally arrived it was the best tasting pils I ever had.
Down last month in South Beach for Art Basel. Had to go to Kush a new favorite beer bar of mine. Plenty of taps and amazing burgers. Yes, that is a burger in between two waffles, bacon, cheese and an over easy egg. And french fries of course. See the dipping sauces, ketchup and syrup. Oh, Myyyy! Don’t pass up this gem when you heard down to the beach.
Jack’s started on a little side street and within a couple of years transformed into a beer hall destination. Brats, Pretzels, Pizza and of course beer. All lagers, but made with a great selection of hops. Recently we went for a night out and also went next door to their newest venture, Springdale where they are doing sours and IPA’s and using oak barrels to age. Pinball, and other arcade games. Even without a beard and skullcap in this hipster haven, I felt welcomed.
The Alter Ego from Treehouse rated 100 by Beer Advocate, and I have to agree. Here is the description from the Brewery. Sure it’s hipster and you have to wait in line to get it at the brewery, but well worth it.
Notes / Commercial Description:
A beer brewed in the spirit of experimentation and the celebration of our 3rd anniversary… ! What we did here is we took a whole bunch of Mosaic and Amarillo hops, a classic punch of citrus purveying goodness, and added them to the Julius dry hop. The base beer is exactly the same, but the dry hop is altered tremendously. The result is a beer with all the deliciousness of the base beer with a layer of added citrusy complexity. Like devil Julius or something. A real treat!
As for the Keeper from Castle Island, just a little light for me. They pulled back on the hops and make it more in the Viennese style like a Pils. Don’t get me wrong, i love Pils, but this is another correct Beer Advocate rating of 89.
Back after a long hiatus just posting on FB with several groups. Now back and ready to go back at it on the blog. Got a nice keg of the Founders All day IPA which is perfect for having the boys over for football. Just 4.3% or so, and a nice little hop. Just finished the Peeper by Maine Beer Company. If you haven’t tried any of their beers you really have to. Moe, Lunch and Peeper among others are worth the extra few bucks.
So, I mentioned to my friend Gary B. in NJ that I read an article in either Beer Advocate or Draft magazine about Kane Brewing Co. Next thing I know, POW! A porch Bomb of Kane Beer shows up at my house. Some of the best drinkable beer I’ve had this year. I met Gary B. at UMiami Law in 1980 and we had a great three years together especially playing poker to relive the stress until all hours of the night. I can’t even remember or imagine the “swill” we were drinking back then, but my guess it was Black Label because it was the cheapest. We’ve come a long way friends!!!! Cheers!
I’ve been away a long time having to spend all my time at my “real” job. So, I am going to just post some pics of my rotation of beers for the past several months. Hope you enjoy. 
spencer
Behind Beaufort Market in London, near the public restrooms, is a GREAT little beer bar called the Rake. The staff, Brooklyn Hipster types, with a complete knowledge of all of the beers and breweries. A little inside and even smaller outside. This is a must after grabbing some amazing street food at the market.
So, we walk out of our hotel in the Old Town and each step we take we find another beer garden. Open air, ice cold lagers and pilsners…doesn’t get much better.