Biero Bar has been on my list as a recommendation pretty much since we moved in. Every week I’d tell myself that I’d go and check it out. Following Biero Bar Melbourne on Twitter has also meant that I was getting weekly reminders of what awesome beers were going to be on tap that Friday and darn it all I couldn’t take it anymore.
Friday beer adventures await you!
Biero Bar is located in a heritage listed building originally built in 1854, it’s dark, a bit grungy, a bit sexy and you can easily sip away the hours.
So, priority number one. Obtain ale.
(L) Red Hill Weizenbock, (R) Mornington Pale 4.7%
I love wheat beer, especially moving back into the warmer weather, so can’t go past the multi-award winning Red Hill Weizenbock. There has only been one batch of this brewed, and it’s only available in bottles (see! Biero are onto something). It’s fruity, and rich, with some chocolatey tones. It’s not to Adam’s taste – but I loved it. It packs a serious punch at 7.9%
Adam opted for the Mornington Pale – also pretty rockin’. When our friend arrived we ordered another round of this one – easy to drink, incredibly smooth and light in taste. Definitely a session beer.
Beer specials.
Along with their very extensive offering (seriously, the beer menu needs a search engine attached to it!) the guys at Biero have a weekly showcase of beers on tap. Typically there’s only a keg of each – so the smart-cookies we are get in early so that we don’t miss out.
Hang on. I know these guys!
How do they do it? When you normally order a beer at a bar/pub it’ll either come out of the tap from a keg, or yanked from the fridge in a bottle. Is there any other way?
Yes! Beervaults! Using this Beervault technology that they have developed they’re able to extract the beer from bottles (as many of the more boutique beers only come this way) and into a reservoir which keeps the beer at peak freshness for up to three days – if it sticks around that long. ;)
Biero Bar are the only people on the planet to have this technology, as they developed it themselves – giving them a distinct advantage in showcasing and allowing sampling of many of the finer boutique beers, essentially allowing any beer in the world to be “on-tap”.
How good does a Beergarita sound?
I eyed off the Beergarita ($20) on the specials board while we were paying the bill – but thought it a wise move to save that one for our next Biero adventure. ;)
(L) Bright Stubborn Russian 7.5% (R) umm... ?
Next! Adam darkens things up a notch with the Bright Stubborn Russian. It’s like a beer version of a dark fruit and nut bar, nice and velvety and oh so tasty.
We’re getting pretty hungry by this stage, but the lure of the beer list compels us to drink on.
One more?
Always.
Tall Poppy - India Red Ale - 7%
Typical of a Red Ale, the Tall Poppy is intense and has that lingering dryness. It’s refreshing, but sees the end of our entree of beers and we insist on ordering some food…
…or rather the very helpful guy who worked there suggested that we might be getting a bit peckish. (Thank you!)
Harissa Calamari with crispy chickpeas, capsicum, kipfler coins and rocket $15.00
This calamari was so.frikkin.tender. This whole little plate was packed with flavour with a much loved spicy kick- and those little cruncy chickpeas? Eeep.
Grilled beef short ribs with sauteed garlic mixed mushrooms $12.00
Fall off the bone soft beef ribs with garlicky and juicy soft mushrooms. EPIC deliciousness.
Croquettes of chicken and herbed potato with Aioli $10.00
Fried stuff? Yes please. The croquettes are piping hot, fluffy soft potato and chicken insides with a crunchy exterior, served with a generous amount of creamy Aioli (which I think should just be served with EVERYTHING) I regret not ordering these sooner as a snack to go with our beers.
Pulled pork burger served on “Le Trai Teur’s” Brioche Buns & Beer Battered Onion Rings.. $12
Served on a decadently buttery toasted Brioche bun, the daily special Pulled Pork Burger is saved till last. I always save the bit of food I am most looking forward to until last so that I can end the course on a high, which is risky when it turns out to be terrible.
Luckily this morsel does NOT disappoint. So lush, so juicy.. and the golden onion rings were cooked to crunchy perfection and were dunked in the relish before being very quickly demolished.
I have been thinking about this burger all week. I can’t stop. Next time I’m ordering it all for myself. (Sorry Adam).
Full to exploding point with some seriously impressive beers and much needed sustenance under our (tightening) belts – we sadly cannot make room for even the smallest bit of dessert. So sad.
We settle our tab, thank the bar staff and make a mental note to come back, soon!
Biero Bar is open Monday til Friday 12pm until late, and on Saturdays from 6pm until late.
Biero Bar – Melbourne
525 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, 3000
+61 3 9600 0940
