First Trip to Birreria Volo
Shortly after Birreria Volo opened, the family and I loaded up our double stroller and made the 30 minute walk over to Little Italy, anxious to learn firsthand what was happening at the somewhat secretive new location. The website features only the address, the hours of operation, a contact email address, and a link to Bar Volo. With no menu and no tap list posted, the only details I had gleaned were from the social media posts of a few local Cicerones who were provided with advanced access to the bar the week before our visit (A Cicerone is like a Wine Sommelier for beer).
When we arrived to the unassuming location, tucked in next to Indie Film hotspot, The Royal, I have to admit I was pretty excited. We walked in at 5:30 pm on a Saturday to a largely empty bar and grabbed a couple seats near the front. The kids were passed out in the stroller so we tucked them in the corner and sat down on a couple of stools to browse the menu. I had heard that a couple Cantillon beers were available and quickly shuffled through to find them. Sure enough, the menu featured a 2015 Lambic and a 2015 Kriek with Cherries from the famous Belgian Brewery. Sadly, the Kreik had sold out the night before, but when I studied the tap list, my disappointed quickly dissipated.
The list featured about 24 beers, similar to the number offered at Bar Volo, and was filled with special one time batches and hard to find local beers. Though the focus is on Sour and Wild Ales, there are a few other styles available, including IPAs, for those who prefer hoppier beers. Several Saisons, which is a style of Pale Ale that tends to be fruity and spicy, were also on the tap list, and I would recommend trying a Saison if you are looking to adventure outside of Sours and IPAs.
I was happy to discover that the bar was offering 6 ounce pours from a number of the pricier bottle beers available on the menu. With many of the 375 ml bottles in the $25 to $35 price range, this is a great option for those looking to sample a range of styles. I took advantage and ordered a delicious 6 oz sample of a Lambic/Saison blend from the Italian brewery, LoverBeer. Since the beers on tap are also available in 6 oz pours, Yashy was more adventurous than usual and tried a number of beers that she really enjoyed. Myself, I either really liked or loved everything I tasted, including the Shapeshifter from Toronto’s Halo Brewery and the Oud Bruin from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Exchange Brewery.
After sampling a beer, I took a stroll down the long, narrow bar to check out the layout, which includes a patio in back. On the way, I discovered the Cantina, where a number of bottles lined the walls of the small room. The Cantina is not accessible but the display windows revealed several bottles of Cantillon beers that I didn’t see on the menu.
(He also told me that he has a couple Cantillon kegs that he has yet to tap, which means I may have to become a Saturday regular at Birreria Volo, but that’s no problem, I can’t think of a better place to be on a lazy weekend afternoon).
*Bar Volo recently had to close its doors after 28 years on Yonge Street to make way for a condo development. Fortunately, the bar will soon reopen in a new location, located not far from the old one.
November 4, 2016 @ 3:22 pm
ok seriously you need to start bringing me out with you lol. you go to such fun, different places. and i dont think i have ever had sour beer before…but i try everything once…especially when it has to do with beer, wine and most foods lol
November 6, 2016 @ 10:52 pm
I’m happy to plan a date for us! 🙂
January 12, 2017 @ 2:09 pm
Sounds like a great date night place!! 🙂 Sounds like you enjoyed it!