Ale House

Before we start with the review, we first have to cast some light on the concept of live beer. To put it simply, this is a preservatives-free, unpasteurised type of beer, which is entirely made of natural ingredients. Hence the great taste. But, how do they manage to maintain its freshness at Ale House? Well, this is the best part. The pub also functions as a brewery, which produces this magnificent beer. Now, that's what we call a self-sustaining business model...and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

There are many other reasons why this lovely pub can be labelled as 'unique' and 'original'. For one thing, this is perhaps the only beer house in Bulgaria where the draught system and the cooling pipes are built directly inside the walls. This, joyfully, means you can draw beer yourself straight from the tap that is nearest to your table. Of course, for clients who prefer it the old school way, you can simply order from a waiter or directly from the bar. They have plenty of options to choose from at Ale House, as the pub actually boasts quite an impressive assortment of beers and other alcoholic beverages... besides the exquisite home-brewed ale that is.

The food served there is top notch, too. The menu is a fine blend of tasty salads, mouthwatering appetisers and popular international and Bulgarian dishes. However, the icing on the cake has to be the XXL portions of tender German sausages and French fries that go perfectly together with a pint of nice frothy beer.

The overall design of the place is just as impressive. The first thing you will notice, standing in the street in front of the pub and looking through its windows, are the huge trademark copper-coloured brewing tanks - stunning. But, it gets even better once you go inside and climb down the staircase. The interior is spacious and cosy, with neatly arranged massive wooden chairs and tables and lots of funny beer-related pictures on the walls. There is a special room with music equipment, where talented musicians play popular rock anthems for guests to enjoy from early autumn up until the beginning of summer. The sound is flawless and there is plenty of room for people to dance and rejoice, without disturbing anyone. In addition to that, there are also a couple of gigantic flat-screen TVs hanging from the walls, which makes Ale House the perfect place for watching all the hottest sports events with your pals or colleagues.

Can it get any better than that? The answer is 'yes, it can'. Ale House is located at the very centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The Ale house is just a few hundred metres away from two of the city's most iconic places -the pedestrian Vitosha Blvd and the open-air book market on Slaveykov Square. All this makes it a great spot to sneak in for a glass of refreshing beer or a delicious dinner after the exhausting day of shopping or sightseeing.