Friday 26 August 2011

Stumbling across Oslo's only microbrewery

Great pub, even better beer - shame about the barman.
It's been a few years since I've been in Oslo but I've always had a real soft spot for it so it was great to spend a few days over there a week or so ago - even if the trip was booked just a couple of days before the various atrocities. Thankfully the unique atmosphere that Oslo has doesn't seem to have been too badly affected.
While I was there I stumbled across Oslo's only microbrewery. I didn't know it was Oslo's only microbrewery at the time - only discovered that after a bit of online research later that day. But it was a cracking little gem to discover and I lost a lovely little hour with a dark, malty, liquoricey, sweetish porter that was made on the promises, literally at the end of the bar. A little glassed-off high tech very microbrewery with a couple of pristine stainless steel tanks - you can just about see them in the pic. Oddly, the barman showed absolutely zero interest in encouraging my interest in his brewery. "So you actually brew all your beers right here then?"
"Yes".
"How many do do you brew?"
"These ones" he says, pointing to the founts on the bar then walking away to read his paper.
OK, fair enough - maybe he's just the barman and has no interest in beer or customers. Maybe time for a new job? Shame, because it is not too far away from my (admittedly old school) idea of the perfect pub. Lots of wood, horseshoe shaped bar, no gimmicks, free newspapers to read and moderately full of people drinking quietly, thoughtfully and everyone in the room reading something and busy just being. My kind of pub. And what's more, not a light coloured beer on show.
Anyway, managed to deduce from my barman's helpful wave of the arm that they do a porter (delicious!), an IPA, an Imperial stout and a pilsner-style beer. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get back and work my way round the portfolio. Always good to leave something to do next time, though...

http://omb.no/index.php