Italian Beer Odyssey. Part 2 Florence

Advance research told us that there would be good beer to be found in Florence, and yet again chance would have it that Mostodolce was almost on our doorstep. A bustling Brewpub with a good range of their own beers and some rather good pizzas which you could see being made behind the bar. Rebe, their version of a Belgian Witbier was particularly welcome after a day visiting the sites.



The walls are covered with the doodles of the patrons, don't know whether this ended up on the wall.




Being within walking distance of our Hotel it was hard to make the effort after climbing up to the top of Giotto's tower and Florence Cathedral but one must make the effort. It was whilst crossing over the Ponte Alle Grazie that I realised that we were close to The Beer House Club, hidden away from the tourist hordes it was a quiet lunchtime oasis with what appeared to be a good selection of beers.

Almond 22 had already impressed me at the Beer Festival in Rome so it was a no brainer to have for a lunchtime drink before heading back for more Italian Renaissance Art.

I felt a need to return in the evening and arrived to find it rather lacking in customers, maybe it was the threatened karaoke that put people off? Anyway I was there for the beer and decided to go for the 5 beer sample. The samples turned out to be full half pints, not begrudgingly small 3 or 4 oz samples. Chatting to the owner I was encouraged to try Bruton, Ducato, and Fabio's own beers Maledetto Toscana. Fabio had previously worked at Mostodolce but felt the need to make his own way with his own bar, and it's a good job he did.

I was soon joined at the bar by an engaging gent from Sweden who turned out to be the owner of Box Whisky who insisted that Fabio and I sampled some of his Whisky. Needless to say we then started sampling many beers from the fine selection at BHC and the evening passed all to quickly. When it came to settle up at the end of the evening all thoughts of what had been consumed were ignored, a good time had been had by all.

No doubt there will be more bars opening in Florence before too long judging by the popularity of Mostodolce. There is the demand and it would be nice to see BHC as busy as that one day. BHC has the better choice of beer and is cetainly worth seeking out.