Italy is famous for its wines, but almost all of our tourists are very surprised when they find out that more than 8 thousand varieties of craft beer are produced in the country.
Craft, aka craft brewery, is when beer is produced not on an industrial scale, but in small batches. This movement originated in the United States about 40 years ago and the last decade has been actively conquering Europe.
For example, according to the website of the Italian association of brewers www.microbirrifici.org for 2019, 1,635 private breweries are registered that produce 8561 types of beer. Impressive?
In my experience, more and more young Italians are those who, up to 40-45 years old, prefer a glass of quality craft than wine. The older generation is more conservative and is still vacillating.
In any case, we will leave the “Italian beer” Peroni and Birra Moreti, known in the world, to local drunks, and today we read about my favorite beer bars in Rome:
Johnny's Off License Campo de 'Fiori
My friends and I discovered the Johnny's Off License beer store recently, literally in May 2019. And immediately I put it in first place in the ranking for a huge selection - more than 100 beers, prices, comfort and a friendly atmosphere. It is literally a minute's walk from Campo de 'Fiori. The format of the establishment is a store, with the possibility of drinking inside.
The cost of a bottle or craft can starts from 4 euros, an average of 5-6 euros, but there are unique, expensive items for 20-30 euros. The host Enrico is very friendly, speaks English and Italian. You can safely convey greetings from Arthur, I have already spent there three excellent evenings and he should have remembered me.
- Address: Via dei Balestrari, 9
- Open: approximately 12:00 to 22:00, Friday and Saturday until 23:00
- Official website: www.offlicense.it
Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà
Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà - in soft form, the name translates "what X you pinned." A cult place, one of the first Kraft bars Trastevere opened more than 20 years ago. If you want to see how local evenings are spent, here you are. Usually everyone is standing, sitting on the street by the bar with glasses, talking, but you can also sit inside in one of the three halls. There are TVs, you can watch a football match with the fans. The selection of beer is small, about 10 varieties, but the quality is top notch.
- Address:Via Benedetta, 25
- Open: approximately from lunch until 02:00 a.m.
- Official site: www.football-pub.com
Luppolo station
Luppolo Station is an ideal bar when you don’t feel like dispersing and need to chat with friends in a relaxed atmosphere. It works until 2 nights, serves very good burgers and snacks, a friendly bartender and waiters. You can always consult, even in sign language, if you do not know Italian, beer combines. The only minus for most tourists is that the bar is far from the center and on the outskirts of Trastevere, but near the Roma Trastevere station and the 8th tram stop, it takes about 15 minutes to get from Piazza Venezia.
I advise you to try the Campagniolo burger for 13 euros.
- Official site: www.luppolostation.com
- Instagram: @luppolo_station
- Open: from 12:00 to 02:00.
Bir & fud
- Address:Via Benedetta, 23 - opposite Ma Che Siete
- Open: approximately from lunch until 02:00 a.m.
- Official site: birandfud.it
Open baladin
Every Roman knows the legendary Open Baladin bar. A huge selection of beer, food and service are average, but it’s definitely worth a go for a glass or two.
- Official site: www.openbaladinroma.it
- Address: Via degli Specchi, 6
- Open: from 12:00 to 2 nights, service ends at 01:15.