Hector was out of his pit at 07.00, two hours writing before a superb breakfast, then out for lunch. 14.00 was the intended time, however a coffee stop saw Hector presented with an illustrated menu, how could I resist? Stuffed Tomatoes – a favourite lunch. ‘They’re off!‘ Too late, what turned out to be the largest plate of Eggplant covered in Ratatouille with extra Tomato and a Cheese Topping, plus some large slices of Baked/Fried Potatoes was soon on its way. Marg ordered the largest Greek Salad ever created by Man. She does not like Cucumber, cannot eat too many Tomatoes, eats Fetta Cheese minimally and is not huge on raw Onion, apart from this she enjoys a good Greek Salad. Either side of lunch was a tour of The Plaka, Syntagma Square, the Meat and Fish Market and a few fire damaged buildings.
The main Post Office in Syntagma is boarded up, The Grand Bretagne Hotel in pride of place at the side of the Square remains untouched. We passed a few banks that had been burned out, people hate bankers, don’t they? The stone cladding on pillars, park benches, anything that could be prised off has become the weapon of choice. Shops had their windows broken indiscriminately, there are thugs in all societies, not just London. This damage was metres from the security of our hotel, just as well we stayed in last night, however the tear-gas made it impossible to be out.
Tonight there will be Bier, but where?
This morning’s tour was also to re-familiarise myself with the area around Monastiraki. There was a very good outlet down there a few years back, I failed to find it last summer, and again this morning. I have a printout with two possible venues, the Beer Academy and Beer Time.
After some ritual late afternoon photographs from our panoramic rooftop and a WLD, it was time to finally get out for Bier! It was now that the news reached Hector that Glasgow Rangers FC have applied for Administration.
The Beer Academy was not revealing itself, I need a better map. Much easier to find was Beer Time. The Bottles on display outside were a Hector Magnet.
The fridge inside looked splendid, the menu listed a Private Brewery I do not know under the title of Bavaria, the rest, well I can only conclude that the owner is a very educated man. There was a choice of Augustiner (Munchen, Bayern) including Edelstoff, Schlenkerla Marzen (Bamberg, Bayern), a choice of Andechs (Andechs, Bayern) including the Bergbock Hell and list if five Bier vom Fass one of which was Konig Ludwig (Schlossbrauerei Kaltenberg, Bayern), where to start?
Start at the end
The choice of the Draught Weizen was inspired by a table of guys who had purchased a rather stubby looking Tower. The Konig Ludwig is not the best of Weissbier by any means but was pouring well and had a definite Banana hit on the palate. Marg had a Sprite.
We moved tables across the room because the Chaps were smoking despite the signs commanding the contrary. Marg and Hector were in Greece the day the smoking ban was introduced a few years back, a damp squib of a day that was. The Greeks don’t pay taxes and they do not heed non-smoking icons. They have much to learn.
A trusty Edelstoff was next up, this was presented in the correct glass as had the Weizen. There is no need to review the Deutsche Bier I probably drink more than nay other these days. It’s dry, bitter taste is sheer perfection.
We departed after two and found a place to eat dinner back at Monastiraki. I will have more to say on this in Curry-Heute. A Mythos did cross my lips with the meal, but deserves no more mention in tonight’s group of Biers.
On the return to Beer Time I was unsure as to how long Marg could be amused so I ordered my last Bier first. Schlenkerla is a hard act to follow, the smoked bacon crisps makes it difficult for the palate to register anything else afterwards. Again the appropriate glass was the provided receptacle.
The Doris in the kitchen area spotted Marg with a Timmermann’s Strawberry Fruit Bier and presented her with some Chocolate. Marg was awake, the Andechs Bergbock Hell was on. There has been discussion of late as to which is drier, the Bergbock Hell or the Andechs Spezial Hell. I believe the Bergbock wins, these days I get an occasional, and unwelcome sweetness from the Spezial.
Beer Time is a home from home. The young Chap serving must have been intrigued by my ordering Bier without looking at the menu. When one knows the Bier it is easy to make the choice. I highly recommend this establishment to anyone in Athens, though drinking here every night will set you back a few Euros, it is not cheap. €5.60 – €5.90 for a half litre bottle is pricey.
It was a short walk back to The Plaka and finally a chance to take a decent photograph of the construction on the hill. After the protestations of yesterday and the damage witnessed today, it is easy to see why Athens most famous landmark is a ruin.
Postscript
The rioting in Syntagma Square broke out unexpectedly again late this evening when a solitary Scotsman began a demonstration against Whyte Men. ‘Something was lost in translation.’ a spokesman for the British Consulate was to explain later.
The Pub visited today:
Beer Time – Iroon Square, Athens, 10551