Baladin "****onale"

Will this be a $30 750mL?

 

I love the beers, the packaging, overall originality, but like North Carolina wines, there is no comparative value at all. But to love something requires no need for value, so I buy these beers on occasion and understand what they are doing.

 

Yeah, Max's Taphouse here in MD has had an Italian Fest for 5 years now, but word is that it is going to be replaced by a Nordic one, with the likes of To Ol, Nogne O, and Mikkeller.

Personally, I really enjoy the Italian festival, since they make some good sours, saisons and use a lot of herbs. Unique stuff for sure.

 

I studied in Rome last fall and drank a TON of Italian craft, I miss it so very much. Getting it in the states is difficult and expensive, however. I have a few Italian friends who I might try to do a trade with, but that will still be pretty expensive.

As for Baladin, they were expensive even in Rome, so I was a little reluctant to drink much. Plus their bar was very upscale, maybe a little much for me.

 

Not smart to have '****' in the name. Whoever created that and approved it, dumb

 

I hope this post was intended as a joke... ****onale is just the Italian word for "National." "****" is derived from "****onale" (as in "National Socialist," what they originally called the party.) Seeing a beer called ****onale and thinking "****s!" would be like seeing a Red Ale and thinking "Communists!" just because they're both associated with the color red...

 

I'm definitely interested in trying this. Have you seen it around yet? I'm hoping Wine Works in Marlton gets some.

 

I didn't find Open Baladin to be "upscale" at all. Sure, it's new and the front room is very nice, but the prices were reasonable I thought. The bartender even hooked me up with a free pour of Xyauyu Fume after I ordered a pour of the barrel.

 

Is the link dead? I cannot get to it via chrome.

 

The link worked but I'm using Safari. Not a lot of information but 6.5 ABV spiced ale with all Italian ingredients.

 

What would you recommend? I'm 1/2 Italian so I always look at the Italian craft but is not typically well regarded for the price.

 

I agree, and it's a damn shame. I keep a large selection in my store at all times. The beer coming out of Italy from guys like Baladin, Borgo, de Montegiocco, Ducato, Loverbeer, etc are all fantastic and on par with those lovely niche Belgians like De Dolle or Fantome.

The biggest hurdle is the pricepoint for sure. Once you get past that, though, you're in for a some fantastic beers.

 

You have to take the time to read the whole word, then it's not so offensive.

 

I've never really thought about Italy for craft beer. Are there some characteristics unique to Italian beers? Are there certain Italian yeast strains or hop varieties or do they basically make same styles as everyone else? I'm kind of curious now.