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The taps and the bottles

After announcements, considerations and press releases, yesterday’s new Open Baladin of Rome has finally revealed to all enthusiasts and professionals. The Italian movement was waiting for this event with big expectations: since the beginning the project born from the Teo Musso’s mind (Baladin brewery) seemed to be something impressive. You just cross the threshold to see that the insights were right…

The Open Baladin of Rome is a remarkable pub, no doubt about it. The main room, almost square in shape, is immense, though yesterday was full to capacity since the late afternoon. To strike the eye immediately – which could not be otherwise – is the impressive bar that fills a whole side of the room, where you can find 40 (forty!) taps divided into groups of 5 each. Behind the bar, there is the shelving of Italian bottles. I think it’s hard to explain with words or pictures, the effect of this veritable architectural element, capable of hosting about 100 different beers and charming the visitor through an extraordinary play of light.

The amazing shelving with italian bottles

This component is the pivot of the pub, not only from a purely aesthetic point of view. The great added value lies in its evocative power, able to enhance visually in one fell swoop all products on the shelves. Entering in Open Balading, you find yourself overwhelmed by the sight of a wall completely covered with bottles lit… if we talk about pure communication, no elements in the past gave prestige to the Italian craft beers like it.

The list of beers on tap

As explained previously, the 100 bottles represent the cream (or almost) of the Italian beer production. Each brewery can boast about 3 products, except for those “at home” (Baladin e Birra del Borgo) reasonably deploying a larger number of beers – the detail, however, was announced at the time by the same Teo. Even the many taps will be occupied by only Italian products, thus transforming the space into a kind of permanent festival on domestic beer. Moreover, some breweries will produce Italian specialty beers just for the pub, which therefore may also have a number of interesting exclusive: the first beers will be Karkadè from L’Olmaia and Christmas CU +, made four hands by Teo Musso and Leonardo Di Vincenzo.

The new "roman pints"

About the furnishing of Open Baladin, the rest of the main hall is occupied by many small tables and decorated with beautiful designs, while a wall is almost entirely occupied by the impressive list of beers on tap, as well as other information. Among which – many rightly care about it – are the prices: a 33 cl glass (the classic Teku or the beautiful “roman pint”) costs 4.00 euros, rising to 5.00 for specialty beers. Average prices in Rome, perhaps even lower than in other places.

The room devoted to foreign beers

So far I have spoken only of the main hall. In fact, there are other rooms that form almost a maze. Some stairs lead to the small area devoted to foreign beers, which will host the best products from around the world. There are 5 taps available, and could not miss an interesting selection of bottles. The room is very intimate and comfortable, probably will become the refuge of the most beer geeks .

Here also, there will take place a serie of appointments with guest brewers. A calendar is already planned: in October will be Gijs Swinklers of La Trappe (Trappist brewery), in November Gregory from Rulles, in December the St. Bernardus brewery, Cantillon in January, in February Dupont brewery, in March Bush, in April Mike Murphy, then Garrett Oliver in May for an unspecified Italian-American Beer Festival.

One of the rooms in gympsy style

The other rooms are furnished in a style rather gypsy, able to plunge the customers in a very special atmosphere. Here you can relax by sitting on sofas and armchairs in a vaguely retro kitsch style. To complete the furnishing of this area, there are many fascinating details, such as photos of ancient times, familiar corners, amenities you would imagine in antique shops. The style may not please everyone, but its charm is not in question.

Karkadè from L'Olmaia brewery, one of the beers created for Open Baladin

Back to the supply of Open Baladin, it will also be in the sign of superb cuisine. Gabriel Bonci and Andrea De Bellis are involved in this project too. They are considered two giants of the Roman gastronomy. The proposal will focus on cooking simple meals and informal, but with a manic attention to the final quality. You can savor meatballs, sandwiches, croquettes, rice rolls, desserts and more. It’s a sort of a high quality fast-food, suitable for a good fast meal with craft beer.

Teo Musso serves his wonderful Isaac

It goes without saying that we are dealing with a new sacred destination for all beer fans. The aesthetic care, the incredible spply of beer, the refined cuisine, the very broad range of possibilities make this Open Baladin an additional driving force to the local and national beer scene. If you can’t wait for visit this pub located in via degli Specchi (between Lungotevere and Campo de ‘Fiori), you should wait a few days: Wednesday, September 23 Open Baladin will officially open its doors. Good luck to this winderful project!