Hop Hooligans, Bucharest

Traveling equals beer tasting. At least to me. An easy equation, ain’t it? Visiting Anagram was a must, and I was instantly hooked—who wouldn't be? But Bucharest has so much more to offer on the craft beer scene. The local brewers are a seriously adventurous bunch, boldly experimenting with styles and flavors. Perhaps the locals are more open to experiment, or maybe craft breweries are targeting foreigners, which is likely the case with Hop Hooligans. The prices are steep by Romanian standards, easily on par with what you'd pay in Germany. Still, the place was packed. Well, the garden was, anyway. We visited during a scorching heatwave, so we sought refuge inside.

Inside a picturesque villa, that is. The taproom is in the Armenian district, a neighborhood where derelict buildings and squats share blocks with embassies and chic venues like this one, where a glass of beer (not really a pint, the usual size is 0.4l in Romania) starts at 25 Lei. That’s some $6. Anyway, the villa has been reconstructed into a stylish, almost club-like taproom. It's broken up into several rooms that offer a decent amount of privacy, especially since all orders have to be placed at the bar.

Aside from the prices, that's perhaps the only real drawback of the place: the service. The bartenders that evening were far less friendly or helpful than I’m used to in the craft beer world. It's not that I needed help choosing a beer, but when I tried to ask a few questions to get some insider info for my blog, I was quite blatantly brushed off. Language barrier, perhaps? Well, so much for your tip, mate!

We had our first round inside, mostly to snap a few photos of the interior and soak up the vibe (I'll give you a proper tour of the Armenian district in a future post). Then we headed outside as the evening air finally became bearable. And since we had no reason to get up early the next day, we somehow ended up being the last guests to leave. The beer was great – even the brews beyond the official #beersaturday sampling.

Beer

Summer Punch, Pale Ale
A light citrusy aroma gives way to a surprisingly full body, delivering a real punch of bitter citrus. Grapefruit and blood orange are front and center, but then a slightly bready character creeps in that feels out of place—maybe a slight yeast issue? It finishes dry and wonderfully crisp. Overall, a very good beer, just held back by that one flaw.

Wodan, Wheat Beer - Wheat Wine
As a huge fan of wheat beers, this was an experiment I couldn't pass up: a strong Weizen fermented with wine yeast. It's a beast at 9.5% ABV, but the alcohol is dangerously well-hidden. This fruity, full-bodied beer with hints of caramel is deceptively smooth and leaves you with a delicate, white wine-like spritz on the finish. I could easily see myself having a few of these... and then having serious trouble finding my way home.

Balaitus, Hoppy Pilsner
As a Czech, I'm always skeptical of Pilsners brewed abroad. It's rare to find one that truly nails the style. Balaitus doesn't quite get there, either; it's lacking that signature Czech hop character, landing it more in German Pils territory. That being said, it was still incredibly refreshing and hit the spot perfectly on a hot Bucharest night. No complaints here.

Back to School, Mango & Salted Caramel Gose
Wow. This one was a showstopper. Even if you don't think you're a "beer person," this is the one for you. It's a brilliant interplay between a juicy mango body and a ribbon of salted caramel that frames the entire sip. The two flavors work together in a way that’s completely unexpected but absolutely delicious. It feels less like a beer and more like a high-end summer cocktail. A must-try.

I believe it’s time for @ninaeatshere to step up to the plate (or glass) and take the #beersaturday challenge! See the challenge announcement published regularly by @detlev and join us!