Cantillon in Italy

great area in Venice. found several places have a small tap list and a large wine list. Pub was only exclusive beer bar I found.

 

What was it called?

 

but don't ask for loons, they'll think you're an idiot.

 

I believe he was referencing the already mentioned Pub Da Aldo.

So I made a little excursion yesterday, stopped at Pub Da Aldo and Il Santo Bevitore, which based on my girlfriend and I's research are the two best "beer bars" in Venice proper. Both are away from tourist central (San Marco), a far walk but an easy boat ride. Aldo was a real cool place: a couple of taps then 4 coolers full of bottles. Good selection for Italy, no Loons or 3F or other rarities, but a decent amount of Belgian standards (the Abbey's, etc) and a good selection of Italian beers. The bartender (presumably the one and only Aldo), is a curmudgeonly, chain smoking, large Italian man which adds to the ambience. Its also right on one of the canals (what isn't in Venice, I know), with outdoor seating which is nice. Definitely worth a trip.

Il Santo Bevitore is right around the corner (less than 5 min walk), completely different place. Largest tap list I have seen in Italy, I'd guess 20-25 taps. Also had two small fridges with bottles. Again, nothing that will blow you away but a good selection for Italy. Mostly Belgium standards, some Italian offerings, and a few major German/American beers (Sierra Nevada). It was nice, but depending on where you are staying I wouldn't go out of my way to go there (although you might as well stop by if you go to Aldo since its so close).

 

I was also there yesterday but right at opening. Just me and my gf and the two guys working there were extremely pleasant and nice. I drank a Vig & Quetsche Tilquin w Prunes while she had her usual IPAs. Out of nowhere they gave us some free meat and cheese which I thought was cool.

It's a must go to in Florence I feel IMO.

 

In Rome go to Ma Che for sure. Nice tap list at good prices and during the four days I was there they had a different cantillon tap every day. Went from Rose to Classic to St Lam then back to Classic.

Literally steps away is Bir & Fud where they have a good tap list but ask for the cellar menu. It's not updated at all but gives you an idea of what you can get. For example they had OGV vintages ranging from 02-05 but when the bartender texted the owner he said those aren't for sale anymore, he sold all the ones meant for public and the rest are his which I completely understand. Also good food there, the chips and ketchup was a nice solid cheap option.

They did get me a Oude Geuze '06 750ml bottle which was awesome but menu showed it was priced at 30 euro but owner said through text it's 50 euro. Still a good price to me for that vintage and I enjoyed it. They also take credit cards which was nice I don't think Ma Che took credit.

 

Ah! ok. Been to both before and both are close to our hotel.

 

I must say as a Belgian I am reading along being fascinated about where Cantillon is spreading to in the supreme wine and beer country that is Italy. Conversely I will admit that I wouldn't turn down a Hill Farmstead when I came across a few in Chicago, or Asheville - but that would be after I've tried a Daisy Cutter, a Duck Rabbit and some of its local cousins.

Just know that Jean Van Roy and Armand De Belder, true signori of their craft and keepers of a tradition, not makers of a $-driven hype, would be and are in fact drinking Baladin, Birra del Borgo, Birrificcio Italiano when in Rome...and Italian brewers are being invited to Brussels more and more often for their creativity, also in "sours".

 

don't forget Loverbeer. i'll be paying them a visit in a month

 

I think this is why the "Where do I find Cantillon in [insert European country here]?" questions don't bother me -- because I assume, perhaps optimistically, that folks will ensure they drink the local beerscape along with any lambic searching.

The reality is that, for a lot of Americans, getting to France/England/Italy/Germany/etc. might be as close as they'll ever get geographically to Belgium. It's really not all that strange, then, that many make an effort to track down Cantillon/etc. Again, I pray to God they make sure to eat/drink the local stuff while they're at it (and to, in fact, focus on that stuff), and I wholeheartedly agree that it's a crying shame, and annoying frustration, if they're not. But, so long as they are, I say go ahead and track down all the Loons you like. Although, if it were me, I'd be loading my bags w/ 3 Fonteinen (To that end, I also understand annoyance that, when asking for Cantillon-only, it gives an appearance of only being interested the latest beer nerd trends. There are other quality lambic brewers/blenders out there, and you're really missing the boat if you think Cantillon is the be all/end all.)

 

I personally think its silly to get upset over such things. I understand pride in one's local/regional/national product, but if things of this nature upset you, you must have a pretty frustrating life.

I live in SC in the USA. I certainly don't get upset when people come to the Southeast and ask for Cigar City, or come to the states and hope to find Russian River, or Peche Mortel. In fact, if someone came to Charleston and passed on a Hill Farmstead to drink a Palmetto Amber or a Duck Rabbit Milk Stout I would tell them to stop being stupid.