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PARIS BEER STOP: FALSTAFF

Paris’s craft beer world has somewhat exploded these past few months… in a good way. Microbreweries are popping up, and filling up beer shops across the city. Places like Deck & Donohue, Les Trois 8 and Fine Mousse are changing the way Parisians see their city’s beloved – and local -beer scene.

On the other hand, however, classic brew pubs (not sure what else to call them… Belgian brew pubs?) are still as lovely as ever – some of which have been around for quite some time and have a different feel (kind of like the Express the Lyon that just happens to have both Belgian classics and new craft breweries on tap). Not too far from the fabulous Académie de la Bière, in the Montparnasse neighborhood, Falstaff is a favorite in my book for a beer in Paris (or five) with dinner.

Falstaff is simple. They’ve got TVs for rugby and soccer games and glazed over eyes parked in front of them, simple tables with simple chairs and a drool-worthy menu. It’s not what some would consider “trendy” nor is it filled with bearded hipsters, oh no. It’s just fantastic and genuine in it’s own special we’ve-got-yummy-beer-and-delicious-moules-frites kind of way. Recommended on a random week night for a spontaneous get together.

Falstaff
42 Rue du Montparnasse, 75014
Tél:

PARIS BEER STOP: LA MOUSTACHE BLANCHE

La Moustache Blanche is a beer haven right near Bastille. I knew when I walked up immediately what the shop before it was, a random not so great cupcake spot, so seeing a new beer shop was just divine. It was a Sunday afternoon, and let me tell you, I was thrilled it was open because most of the other beer shops are closed Sunday/Mondays. But don’t worry beer loving friends, Moustache Blanche is open on Sundays! It’s magic.

We were greeted by Guillaume (if my memory serves me well), the guy that runs the place, who was honestly just so nice and boy does he know his beer. Their American section has a few of my Colorado favorites (Left Hand Brewery and Blue Moon), amongst many well known American breweries. There is a wall for Belgian beers, a wall for French beers, with a table covered with European beers in between. There are stacked books and posters on the walls… You really feel like you’re in a beer wonderland when you walk in. Grab a beer from the fridge to drink immediately, or to take to Place de Vosges for a picnic in the sun.

The shop carries brands that have already take Paris’s beer scene by storm like Brooklyn Brewery, Mikkeller, Rogue and , as well as newbie or lesser known craft breweries like Deck & Donohue (Montreuil), Brasserie la Corrézienne and Brasserie de la Senne (Brussels). The selection of French beers was phenomenal, I wanted to take one of each. Guillaume explained the heightened interest in craft beer, and how France has more and more breweries opening up. Needless to say he was such a friendly fellow and I truly look forward to my next trip in to get a monthly stock of delicious beer.

16 Rue des Tournelles, 75004
Tél:
Métro: Bastille (8/5/1)

PARIS BEER STOP: DECK & DONOHUE OF MONTREUIL

“Something’s brewing in Montreuil…” is what seems to be the initial headline on the subject of Deck & Donohue (source). Indeed, something is brewing over in Montreuil, and it’s fantastic. After checking out the founders, Thomas and Mike’s, brew blog AND having the perfect timing as they opened shop officially in March, I knew I had to pay a visit. Last week I traveled across Paris’s borders to the eastern suburb that is Montreuil. Thomas & Mike greeted me with a smile as I entered their magical craft brewery. The space is pristine – it’s new and the equipment is plopped in the middle as it should be. It is filled with light with an industrial touch, and the natural sun rays make for a stunning and delightful space to get their craft on.

After giving their Trouble #6 a tasteroo, the two showed me their set up and explained the 4-1-1 to their beer magic. The space may seem small, but it’s where they do it all – brew, fermentation, bottling (that is semi-automatic) and packing. We sipped their beers on a little metal table I had the pleasure of tasting all of their gamme, each of which has something different to offer. You can also go to visit their headquarters on Saturdays from 10h-15h to taste their beers, it’s certainly worth the trek.

Deck & Donohue currently has 4 beers : Mission Pale Ale, Trouble #6, Monk and Indigo IPA. All divine. As a hoppy beer fan and an IPA fanatic, their Indigo IPA did just the trick for me. They will also have a seasonal beer to top the list this year.

I discovered the Alsacian/American duo on Instagram, not only to friends commenting and linking me with many exclamation points, but mainly though @regard’s Instagram, the art director that did the microbrewery’s visual identity. I Immediately started to follow , getting so excited about eventually venturing out to check out the space and be a geek.

France is the sister country of the magical Belgium, the land of delicious Abbaye beer and brewers of all kinds, also the source of inspiration where brewers such as those that started New Belgium Brewery in Colorado (also, heaven). Their know-how has been a staple in the world’s beer making, and if you haven’t been to Belgium already, you probably should. France always had the access to incredibly delectable Belgian beers, and also has countless breweries in the regions across the land, but for some reason their own artisanal beers just aren’t as well known in the capital as they should be. But this is all changing. Beer shops are popping up left and right featuring more and more French and other European beers, and even sometimes a little je ne sais quoi from the good ol’ USA.

In fact, changing so much that there is the first ever Paris Beer Week this year, in May.

Deck & Donohue‘s beers (bottled or on tap) are served in places like Holybelly, Cantine California & Les Trois 8… You can get them on shop shelves like at Moustache Blanche, and I have a feeling they will be more and more present in the months to come.

Something about supporting local production is so satisfying!

Follow Thomas & Mike on and to stay in the know on where to find their delicious beers.

Deck & Donohue
71, rue de la Fraternité
93100 Montreuil

PARIS BEER STOP: L’EXPRESS DE LYON

I had the pleasure of meeting Lou for the first time at this snazzy little joint, right in front of the Gare de Lyon. It’s a bar that looks like any other, a brasserie, filled with beer lovers, hungry people or people waiting for someone special at the train station. However, L’Express de Lyon isn’t just like every other brasserie… they’ve got heaps of delicious beer on tap.

We gave many a try, going from light to dark, and I just wanted to try them all. Alas, we were reasonable! As for the beers on draft, there are some that are more and more common to find in France, like Rogue, was on the list at L’Express amongst various other European beers (Belgian, French, Danish…). I was particularly excited to discover the Brasserie, a microbrewery in Bagnolet (Eastern Paris) and their American Pale Ale, Home, this evening, which was refreshing and delicious with just the right amount of smooth. We gave Mikkeller’s Wheat is the New Hops a whirl, which was mighty tasty, and some of the Rogues: Hazelnut Brown Nectar and the Double Chocolate Stout (the kind of beer I always find myself savoring for the end).

I have a lot more to learn, but I am loving discovering some of the French and Ile de France breweries these past few weeks. More adventures to come, and stay tuned for my homebrew adventures.

L’Express de Lyon
1 Rue de Lyon, 75012
Tél:
Métro: Gare de Lyon (1, 14)

PARIS BEER STOP: BAR DEMORY


For a double date with Sasha and her beau, we opted for the Bar Demory, a place that had been on my “to go to” list for quite some time, in the heart of the Beaubourg neighborhood.

As soon as I opened the door the minimalist, industrial feel and neons of the decor drew me in. The space is open, with a large bar in the front aside long wooden tables, with more seating in the back with foosball tables and such. The interior is modern with tasteful graphics and lettering, tiling and wood carvings. Geometric shapes and tessellations cover the bottoms of the walls, and tube lighting in the shapes of diamonds on the ceiling give off reds and whites. The stools and bar have an industrial feel, with mirrors making the space seem even bigger than it already is.

As for the beers, Demory had 5 of their own beers on tap: Astroblonde, Cosmoblonde, Roquette Blanche, Atomique and the Nova Noir. I kicked off the night with the Roquette Blanche (which I had often  tasted at Yelp Events) and finished with the Nova Noir which I really liked…malty and fruity notes with a sweetish but bitter aftertaste. On top of these delicious treasures, they also serve some of their friend brewery’s beers and beer-inspired cocktails.

On the Monday night that we went, only the front area had some people, but in general I’m sure on weekend nights this place gets pretty packed, especially with the heaps of events the bar throws (DJ sets to concerts to expos). De plus, the Demory Bar has a Happy Hour from 6-8pm with snacks on the house, which for us was a mini soup and savory cake. On top of our beers, we went with a hearty terrine plate, which was served with delicious breads and pickles. Their menu also features individual meals and delicious additions like hot dogs, just sayin’. If you’re there before 9pm and dig their brews, don’t forget to buy a 6-pack of their beers for 6 euros.

I am hoping my next excursion there will be for their brunch. Anyone wanna join?


62 rue Quincampoix, 75004
Tél:
Métro: Rambuteau (11), Etienne Marcel (4)

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