retiredmartin

October 2025. Bucharest.

We concluded the quartet of Bucharest taprooms at Hop Hooligans in the (relatively) genteel suburbs east of the University.

Yes, a gorgeous looking home for Romania’s best known (more Vocation than Brew Dog) purveyor of murk. The bars themselves didn’t change that much, but Hop Hooligan, Ironic, Ground Zero and Zaganu give you a choice of setting.

Hop Hooligan is the name that pops up most regularly around Romania, and Mrs RM declares it the best beer of the trip,

warning me not to “come back with a sour” as I’m dispatched to the bar.

I’m not sure if it’s language, but again the exchange at the bar is a bit perfunctory (they’ll never translate that into Romanian if they read this), though it may just be that I’m ignorant and have asked what this vessel contains, hoping it’s cherry wine.

“Water”. Oh.

His English is better than my Romanian, which extends to “Multumesc” (“Ta”), and he’s interested enough in my enquiry about Tomato Gose to offer me a taste of this one.

It’s quite something, more chilli pepper than tomato, and I decline in favour of the barley wine.

Outside, Bucharest there’s a pristine park with dispensing machines for orange juice (with bits in),

and strong espresso for 80p.

How civilised. Unlike Mrs RM and I, who buy cheap bread and cheese and Kozel for tea.