Beers in Rome: “Birrerie”

Everyone knows that Rome has countless enoteche where you can find some of the best wine in the world, but for travelers looking for a special beer or just a decent pint, there are also several good birrerie (beer bars). While the typical Roman bar’s beer selection is limited to local beers (Peroni, Nastro Azzuro, Moretti, etc.), an increasing number of bars are beginning to stock specialist local beers and imported beers on tap.

Testaccio – L’Oasi della Birra

Testaccio is always buzzing on a Friday night, mostly full of clubgoers hitting up the neighborhood’s  bars and restaurants before heading to one of the numerous clubs. Right on the central Piazza Testaccio, which hosts a busy food market during the day, Enoteca L’Oasi della Birra is an enoteca/restaurant/birreria. The ground floor looks like your typical winebar with wine bottles lining the walls and standard Italian fare. However, if you venture down to the basement you will discover a beer lover’s paradise. Make your selection from a beer menu of biblical proportions or browse the walls, lined with bottles imported from all over the world. The Belgium section of the menu alone is dizzying in its length so it’s best to have a good idea of what you’re looking for or you might spend hours deliberating. If the menu seems daunting, there are a select few  good beers on tap. L’Oasi gets really busy on a Friday night, so get there early to find a table and enjoy the antipasti. There is outdoor seating, which is perfect for watching the crowds go by in the summer.

Colosseo – Treefolk’s

Located on Via Capo d’Africa, just a few minutes from the Colosseum,  Treefolk’s is a popular hangout for locals. It tends to be a younger crowd, with teenagers spilling out onto the street on weekend nights. That said, the  atmosphere here is relaxed and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a cold one after a day’s sightseeing. The service can be slow, but at least you know they take their time pulling a pint. Treefolk’s carries a good range of imported beers  – mostly from Belgium and Britain – on tap. There is also an extensive whisky menu available on request. The food is German-style pub fare (wurstel, french fries, sauerkraut, etc.) and probably not the main attraction, but decent if you’re looking for a change from Italian food.

Trastevere – Ma che siete venuti a fà

Located in the heart of Trastevere, this busy pub has become a veritable institution for those who enjoy a good pint while watching a football match. The place gets really packed on weekends and days when there are big football matches, but there is a seating area downstairs that is usually emptier and quiet if you prefer to avoid the noisy football crowds. Although they may not  have the beer you’re looking for, the draft beer is excellent and there is always at least one stout, one dark ale and one blanche.

Big Star

Although there is no sign outside this Trastevere pub, you can spot Big Star (on Via Mameli) by the handful of hip-looking young people that tends to mill around outside. Big Star doesn’t have a huge selection of beers, but they have a few quality draft beers, most of them imported. One of the pub’s main attractions is the music, which strays out of the ordinary range of lounge music or cheesey rock that are popular at most Roman bars. On certain nights there are DJ sets and live bands. The upstairs smoking area has plenty of seating room, although it fills up as the night wears on. There is also a small area with a dart board and darts at the top of the stairs. The safety of this feature may be questionable as the area gets fairly packed, but it makes for an entertaining night out.

Beer Festival (April 17 – 19)

If you’re a beer enthusiast living in or planning to visit Rome in April, why not check out l’Italia Beer Festival? Held at Officine Farneto, an industrial-type space  near via del Foro Italico used for various exhibitions and events, the beer festival is dedicated to artisanal and specialist beers. With over 200 beers from around the world (including local beers), the festival offers beer connoiseurs and fans an opportunity to sample a number of beers and learn about the beer-making process. The tasting is free and visitors will be given a beer glass to browse the offerings and sample beer at their leisure.

Info: April 17-19 2009. Via dei Monti della Farnesina 77 – 00194 Rome, Italy.