Anyone who reads my blog will now I like a Beer. You'll also know that I'm not a fan of Brazilian beer in general. Luckily, Brazil - and in particular Porto Alegre - is in the middle of a craft beer boom, meaning there are plenty of places where you can get some good beer. Between brewery pubs, and small scale breweries you don't have to go too far to find a good beer.
October is a good time of year to try some new beers too, with seemingly dozens of beer festivals in honour of Germany's original Oktoberfest. Last year I attended the biggest Oktoberfest beer festival in the state down at Sant Cruz Do Sul. While it was a fun day out, the beer on offer wasn't great, which certainly takes a lot of the fun out of things.
The one I'm looking forward to the most is at VIDAL Mercearia + Cafe (Rua Mata Bacelar 52) who are hosting Oktoberfest da Vidal. Vidal will be partnering with local brewery Cervejaria Zapata to create a beer especially for the event. The hosts (one of which is an actual German) will also be serving authentic pretzels and sausage, making it a cant miss party.
October is a good time of year to try some new beers too, with seemingly dozens of beer festivals in honour of Germany's original Oktoberfest. Last year I attended the biggest Oktoberfest beer festival in the state down at Sant Cruz Do Sul. While it was a fun day out, the beer on offer wasn't great, which certainly takes a lot of the fun out of things.
This year we'll be staying local, and there are plenty of beer festivals. Already this past weekend there were at least three different beer festivals with plenty more to come.
The one I'm looking forward to the most is at VIDAL Mercearia + Cafe (Rua Mata Bacelar 52) who are hosting Oktoberfest da Vidal. Vidal will be partnering with local brewery Cervejaria Zapata to create a beer especially for the event. The hosts (one of which is an actual German) will also be serving authentic pretzels and sausage, making it a cant miss party.
There are countless other ways to get good beer though. Small breweries like the Veterana Beer Truck seem to be at every food festival, and with the weather getting better you can follow them around Porto Alegre chasing good beer. Other good breweries you often see represented at these food festivals are Cervejaria Elementum, Baldhead, Perro Libre, IrmãosFerraro and Seasons.
In fact, these food truck festivals that seem to happen every couple of weeks in Porto Alegre seem to have as many craft breweries turning up as food truck - a fact you won't soon have me complaining about.
When I first wrote about beer in Porto Alegre, I wrote a list of some of the good places to buy beer in the state capital. I'm happy to say that list has expanded. Here's my updated list of places to get good beer in Porto Alegre.
Dirty Old Man Cocktail Pub
Rua Lime e Silva, 956
The moment you walking into this Cidade Baixa favourite you know you are going to get a good beer. Space may be at a premium, but it is worth fighting for. Dirty Old Man has a beer and chopp (draught beer) list that includes Baldhead, Seasons and Whitehead. As you can expect by the name, the bar also servces a wide range of cocktails and has some good food as well – I recommend the batatas rústicas.
Hooroo House
Avenida Nova York, 835
You know that to be considered a good Australian pub/restaurant you're going to need good beer and Hooroo House gets it right. Hooroo serve Imigração beer on top with pilsen, American pale ale (my favourite) and IPA varieties all available by the jug. Hooroo regularly shows sporting events such as Inter and Gremio games, UFC fights and American football, and when combined with regular drink specials meaning its a good place to drink some beer!A Virgem
Rua Olavo Bilac, 251
When you walk into A Virgem – again in Cidade Baixa - the first thing you notice is how beautiful it is inside. Great artwork is all over the walls, while a very beautiful beer garden awaits out back. The menu is just as beautiful, featuring a large range of craft beers – both bottled and and draught. Regular happy hour specials mean that not only do they have great beer, but also some great value beer. They also have a great range of cocktails (with non alcoholic options) and pizzas making it a great option for a group catch up.
Penz Bier
Rua José do Patrocínio, 366
A Cidade Baixa newcomer, Penz Bier serves a selection of its own specially made craft beers, including the award winning Porter Alegre, as well as some other local brews. The owners work in the establishment and it is clear that they put their love into everything on the menu. As well as the quality beer, Penz Bier serves up some very good food, with the highlight being the Penz Burger.
Great beer goes with great burgers at Penz Bier
Heilige Brew Pub
Avenida Getúlio Vargas, 1157
Heilige Brew Pub could easily be a bar in my home city of Melbourne. It has a god atmosphere, great beer and very friendly staff. As well as serving their own very tasty brews, they also have a good selection of other craft brews on tap and in bottles, meaning you're sure to find something you like. The night I was there they had an all night happy hour of two for one beers which meant it was also great value.
Heilige Brew Pub could easily be a bar in my home city of Melbourne. It has a god atmosphere, great beer and very friendly staff. As well as serving their own very tasty brews, they also have a good selection of other craft brews on tap and in bottles, meaning you're sure to find something you like. The night I was there they had an all night happy hour of two for one beers which meant it was also great value.
Locals Only CB
Sarmento Leite, 1086
Yet another Cidade Baixa favourite, Locals Only stocks only local beer from Rio Grande do Sul - hence the name. Serving their beer in jars gives it an inner city Melbourne hipster vibe, and while I generally prefer something bigger than their 300ml serves, it does give you the opportunity to sample a bigger selection of their beers on offer.
Lagom Brewery & Pub
Rua Bento Figueiredo, 72Lagom Brewery & Pub have had a couple of different locations, and I hear they'll actually be closing down their pub to concentrate on brewing, so I recommend you check them out while you can. They have a good varied list of beers made in house (many of which are on the strong side!) and a small but tasty food menu, meaning it is great for a night out with your friends.
Bier Markt Vom Fass
Rua Barão de Santo Angêlo, 497
This German style beer hall, based in Bairro Moinhos de Vento has an enourmous list of beers available, both bottled and on draught. Even stocking one of my all time favourite beers – English ale, Old Speckled Hen – it is virtually impossible to try all of the beer on offer. With regular specials and different offerings there is almost always something different to try each visit to Bier Markt. They have a good range of food options including the exceptional brie burger and have some spicy mustards to add to your dish – just be careful with the extra hot. I learned that from experience.
Duplex 312 Gastro Pub
Rua Comendador Caminha 312Duplex was opened on the original site of the old Lagom pub. Luckily, they kept up the reputiation of serving good beers. This place is perhaps a little louder than many others on the list, with live gigs and events here regularly. For those of us that like a place where we can just sit, chat and enjoy a beer (ok, us oldies) it may be a bit much to go to regularly. At least it provides a good alternative.
Bairro Anchieta
Sometimes you have to go to the source, and when it comes to craft beer in Porto Alegre, that souce seems to be the Achieta neighbourhood in the north of the city. Within just a few blocks are several small breweries where you can try many different kinds of brews. Baldhead Craft Beer recently celebrated their five year anniversary with an event on their premises featuring music, food trucks – and of course great beer. Other breweries in the area include Seasons, Távola, Tupiniquim and Vintage.
The search continues
I'm always on the look out for the best place to buy good beer in Porto Alegre, and my friends, I'm very dedicated to this project!
There are still some places on my list that I haven't gotten to yet. Two places have consistently been recomended to me that I haven't yet had a chance to go to. The first is Quentin's, (Rua Gen. Lima e Silva 91) a Tarantino themed bar in Cidade Baixa who are having their own Oktoberfest party this Sunday. The other is is Hidden Brew Pub (Rua Gregório da Fonseca, 680) which I've heard incredible things about, but as it is located in the south of the city, requires some more planning!
There are still some places on my list that I haven't gotten to yet. Two places have consistently been recomended to me that I haven't yet had a chance to go to. The first is Quentin's, (Rua Gen. Lima e Silva 91) a Tarantino themed bar in Cidade Baixa who are having their own Oktoberfest party this Sunday. The other is is Hidden Brew Pub (Rua Gregório da Fonseca, 680) which I've heard incredible things about, but as it is located in the south of the city, requires some more planning!
Also still on my list are Malt Store, Apolinario Bar and Mercado do Chopp, so I hope to try them soon.
If any of you know of another great bar or brewery let me know and I will give them a try.
Cheers!
