Jonathan mentioned a craft beer bar and it looked like rather a decent choice, so we headed off in that direction. When we arrived, I realised that this was the on-trend area of Cetinjska where I visited Zendwich a couple of years ago. Cetinjska occupies part of Belgrade’s former brewery complex and has developed into a collection of bars, clubs and creative spaces, making it an entirely logical home for a craft beer establishment.
The interior of the bar and Jonathan mentioned sitting outside, but there were a lot of smokers and I can’t have my craft beer impacted by that. It was actually allowed to smoke inside, but fortunately no-one actually was.
The beer board behind the bar and there was a decent selection of different styles, with the prices being reasonable. There were beers from their own brewery, beers from the Balkans and also a selection of Thornbridge beers from the UK to add some international flavour to the arrangement.
My first beer was the Gargojl from Samo Pivo themselves and this was lightly tart with a strong raspberry taste and a slightly rustic feel to the arrangement.
And my second beer was the Salto Pale Ale which was herbal with a slight lemon flavour, also being hoppy, clean and punchy, so all rather decent.
They have a selection of cans and bottles at the fridges at the end of the bar, with a range of different seating styles available. The service was always efficient and prompt, with the environment being comfortable and clean. They don’t do food other than for some basic bar snacks, but that’s rather advertised in their name, which means ‘only beer’ in English.
It appears that the bar moved to this current site a few months ago from their Balkanska location, so that would explain why I didn’t see it last time I was in Belgrade. Anyway, this was a very good recommendation that Jonathan had picked up and the general vibe was relaxed and welcoming, although the general smoking culture here does give it something of a different feel.