A First Visit to Brescia

Leaving the Train Station the first business of the day was Curry. Bombay Tandoory Ristorante Indiano is a modest establishment, the Curry served there is truly remarkable. I was already planning a second visit.

Arriving on the southern end of the town, everything was therefore North and East, the Castello the final target before retracing our steps for Birra. En route we found the various squares and the Duomo, impressive architecture. I liked the atmosphere of Brescia, and could imagine the number of coach trips stopping off each day in the summer. October was a good time to be here.

After the Piazze we headed east to the Forum, I expected more, a lot more. We would pass this way again with better light and so the photos were repeated.

The climb up to the Castello was certainly worth it, quite a fortification. A pity the view over the town was marred by the haze, but hay, heat in October! There was a Steam Locomotive too.

It was Bier o’Clock. The places I had selected for today did not open until 18.00 with the exception of Arnaldienplatz Bayersiche Bier Gasthof. We were there right on the opening time given in Google Maps. The shutters eventually were raised, mopping up began, I called through, they were not opening until 18.00. I told them to fix Google and stop misleading the public. This was a pity, I was not for hanging around, next place, Inferno was closed, permanently judging by the exterior.

It was Marg who spotted BEFed as we walked at pace along Via Soferino. It just happened to be moments before the 18.00 opening time, we walked in and were greeted by Girlies. They hadn’t a clue. Were they open? Could we have a seat? Questions that appeared to be beyond them. Despite being the first customers we were shown to the worst table in the premises, facing nothing. Marg insisted on another table, we moved. Eventually a Chap appeared who would pour Birra. There was a choice from two.

This is a Micro-Brewery Chain with other outlets in Brescia, so no Brewing Tanks here. Tipo Lager at 5.2% is a standard Helles, there was nothing of note. It was a matter of drink up, pay and leave. My hopes were high for our next port of call. We passed the Bombay Tandoory, on another day I would have been straight back in.

Xander Beer – Via Dalmazia 23a, 25127 Brescia, Italia

One immediately knows when one is at home. The Chap serving outlined the Birra on offer. It was evident we would spend the rest of the evening here. The Brewer from another local Brewhouse was introduced, but we had only this evening, and we were staying put.

Drinking Polish Bier in Italia, why not? It was in Roma where I first tasted Stone Brewing (Berlin, Deutschland). If this is where the Hops are…

A sensible start, Aby Do Wiosny (Browar Widawa, Polska) at a mere 4.6% had Citra Hops and was right on the button. It was time to up the game. Chill Kanapa (Browar Widawa, Polska) at 6.2% is a New England IPA. This ticked all the boxes, smooth, absolutely no astringency and full on Hops! This could and should have been the Session Bier had I been staying even longer.

Next up was an IPA at 7.1% from Beer Antwort (Italia). This was suitably dry, had body, a sense of Hops, but was a disappointment after the Widawa Piwa.

It was time to try the House Birra, Doppio X (Xander, Brescia, Lombardia) at a modest 6.0% was better than anything I had drunk at other venues on this trip, but I had to wonder as to the point of this Bier. The Bier had body, was dry, but nothing was happening in terms of Flavour. Was this down to it being a Red Birra?

There should be no prizes for guessing what Piwa Hector finished on.

Meanwhile Marg was happy with the House Cola, until she spotted something – Red.

We also ate here. The Burger was substantial, and the local interpretation of – Pizza – was better than the thin nonsense that prevails across Italia. Give Hector his Deep Pan if he is having Pizza.