Lou’s Beer Garden, Where the Beer Grows
If the definition of a Horticulturist is one who works in the disciplines of plant propagation, cultivation, crop production and plant breeding then a “hops-culturist” would be a beer-breeder a Beer-Master of his domain.
This is exactly who and what Lou Ramirez is; Miami Beaches’ very own beer-master extraordinaire. Chef and beer lover Luis Ramirez is the person behind this hip and very unique namesake, Lou’s Beer Garden, where all tasteful things are propagated and cultivated.
Last Saturday night I had the distinct pleasure of hanging out with South Florida’s very own Epicurean Mayor, ER Gagit and his charming wife at Lou’s Beer Garden. When “The Mayor” says we’re gonna check out this new place, you go; ask no questions because it will undoubtedly be an experience. And what a night it was! Lou’s Beer Garden is definitely where the locals go; it is very cool, hip and very friendly.
First we started with a beer tasting from around the world each as exotic and wild as its name, Dead Guy Ale, LongBoard, Pilsner Urquell, Double Arrogant Bastard, Raison D’Etre; The Mayor’s Wife and I wimped out and stuck with Shock Top for the evening however, The Mayor in true form literally added hair to his chest with his choices being Double Arrogant Bastard, Dead Guy Ale and Old Thumper E.S.A.
For our hip eats we started with Lou’s special Belgian Fries and a round of made to order bowls of Shrimp Bisque. Both starters were perfecto! Who would have ever thought “specialty gourmet” in a Beer Garden tucked behind some non-descript historical deco hotel in the North Shores area? The pearls are always hidden in the oyster!
For dinner we had Burgers, Pizza and Tripe. The burgers and pizza great and typical “Beer Garden” food as one would expect but Tripe? another rogue surprise of this beer-breeding-gastro-pub hideaway in Miami Beach. So many bolts from the blue here at Lou’s Beer Garden and I would venture to say these are daily occurrences at Lou’s and you’ve got to check them out for yourself to truly experience it. It is where the locals go and even if you’re not they welcome you with open arms and huge smiles. They invite you to sit in their garden, kick back and have a brew with them; they’ll even throw a burger on the grill for you, the clandestine hospitality here at Lou’s Beer Garden just doesn’t get any better than that. So whether you’re from Minnesota, Montana, Maine or Miami they’re gonna treat you like a next door neighbor at Lou’s Beer Garden.