Yes, my sons in law, there is beer in Rome

Rome (or Italy for that matter) is NOT known for good beer.  Buy some, taste it, you will see why.  But evidently just as Americans have learned to appreciate good wine.  Italians are learning to expand their palates when it comes to beer.  We visited Open Baladin (Via degli Specchi 6) a beer bar that specializes in bringing microbrews (which are taking off in the Northern regions of Italy) to the forefront.  It has 42 beers on tap and many many more bottled beers.

Wall of Beers

Alan enjoying a glass of dark brew

The Italian patrons seem happy

This bar is near Campo de' Fiori but you would never know it - it was not filled with tourists and we were the only English speakers there.  They serve a variety of snacks and we even tried the chicken wings (but not the ones with BBQ sauce- that seemed a little too risky for folks that dine on Dinosaur BBQ)

The Fiddler's Elbow (via dell'Olmata 43, near Santa Maria Maggiore) is a spot that seems specifically designed for those longing for a good Irish pint; but when we were there, again, we were the only ones that were not locals - this has obviously become a neighborhood place.  But it really does a good pour of a pint and we met Fionna, who was I believe the manager, and definitely from Ireland.  Fionna has been it Rome for 5 years and says she'll stay as long as she's have fun. 

Guess, my Irish kin, what I drank