Braui-Lade Bäre-Bräu

This is a small, hole-in-the-wall place located through an arch and underneath a big bridge. It is not easy to find, but worth the effort. The brewmaster, Markus, has a fine understanding of the art and science of making great beers. He always has a good lager on tap, usually accompanied by one or two of his other creations. The quality is consistently high - from kölsch to barley wine, wheat to stout. My personal favorite is his "Hopfenbombe" (or "Hops Bomb"), an IPA that gets your attention and holds it. The brewpub is very small, with seating downstairs for about fifteen, plus a game room upstairs. In addition to his own products, Markus has a small but exquisite collection of other Swiss microbrews and some of the finest British ales available on the continent. The food selection is extremely limited (basically microwaved sandwiches), but nobody goes there for the food. And the peanuts and barley are free. The adventurous are allowed to brew their own, following Markus' recipes or heading out on their own. I'm not the only one who calls Bäre-Bräu the best beer in Switzerland.