I found myself, in less than 24 hours, both at a brewery and a wine bar, entirely by chance, as seems to be happening a lot lately. These two places, while utterly different from each other, offer something delicious and unique that I highly recommend checking out.
It had been a while since I was last in Karmiel, but life has a way of bringing us to unexpected places, especially these days with everything happening in the country. It turns out that there is a brewery in the city called "The Hero," established a few years ago by Eran Greenwald.
Like many amateur alcohol producers, Greenwald started brewing in his home garage. Encouraged by his success, he turned professional. How professional? He left a well-paying job at a large company to start the brewery.
"The Hero" brewery offers five types of beers and a fun beer garden, which is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. But the reason I'm highlighting "The Hero" is a new line of beers called "The Heroines," created to show solidarity with the brave women on the front lines and the home front during the war.
This alone is a good reason to recommend it, but I wouldn't stop there if "The Heroines" wasn’t also genuinely tasty. Greenwald, who occasionally creates special beers for unique occasions, decided to launch a festive series of lemongrass-infused lager beers as a gesture of support and appreciation.
You can find the boutique edition of "The Heroines" on "The Hero" beer website and in various liquor stores.
Something UnconventionalThey’ve been in the business for a few years now, but only recently did MoBo, a brand importing intriguing natural wines from various young and innovative producers of the new wave, get a place to taste and drink. But before I talk about the place, a few words about the wine.
Many old-school wine enthusiasts frown when I mention natural wines, quite literally. I can understand them. Naturally, in a world where almost all boundaries have been crossed, there are also many mistakes and unpleasant things.
Nevertheless, the world of natural wines is much more than a trend in Europe—it’s almost a way of life. After the sharp decline in the consumption of "classical" wines in recent years, the growth in the market for natural, new-wave wines is simply astonishing.
MoBo’s portfolio includes wines from Austria, Beaujolais, Piedmont, Slovenia, and more, featuring young and innovative producers doing unconventional things with excellent results.
You can taste their wines at 51 Ahad Ha'am Street, Tel Aviv, a place that functions as both a shop and studio, as well as a wine bar operating from Tuesday to Saturday starting at 18:00 (Friday from 12:00-16:00).
And There’s Food at Reasonable PricesOne of the advantages of this place is that you can order any bottle by the glass, allowing you to sample as many varieties as possible, with a small selection of side dishes by Adar Lotan at reasonable prices.
Another significant advantage, in my opinion, is that the people behind the bar are wine enthusiasts who can offer precise and enjoyable recommendations and also enrich your knowledge along the way.
My recommendation is to check out the wines of Austrian couple Alex and Maria Koppitsch. Coming from a family with a 500-year history of winemaking, they decided to continue the tradition but add a natural twist to classic wines.
Every bottle they produce is a unique experience. A bonus: their joyfully illustrated labels, all featuring the landscapes visible from their home, are also a form of art.