Lou’s Beer Garden, where beer grows

If the definition of a horticulturist is someone who works in the disciplines of plant propagation, growing, crop production, and plant improvement, then a “hop grower” would be a beer breeder and brewmaster of his domain.

This is exactly who and what is Lou Ramirez; Miami Beaches’ Brewmaster Extraordinary. Chef and beer lover Luis Ramírez is the person behind this unique and modern namesake, Lou’s Beer Garden, where all things tasteful are propagated and cultivated.

Last Saturday night I had the great pleasure of hanging out with South Florida’s own Epicurean Mayor ER Gagit and his lovely wife at Lou’s Beer Garden. When “The Mayor” says that we are going to see this new place, go; don’t ask questions because it will certainly be an experience. And what a night it was! Lou’s Beer Garden is definitely the place locals go; It is very cool, modern and very friendly.

First we begin with a tasting of beers from around the world, each one as exotic and wild as its name, Dead Guy Ale, LongBoard, Pilsner Urquell, Double Arrogant Bastard, Raison D’Etre; The mayor’s wife and I got weak and we were left with Shock Top for the night, however the mayor in real form literally added hair to his chest and his options were Double Arrogant Bastard, Dead Guy Ale and Old Thumper ESA.

For our modern meal, we started with Lou’s specialty Belgian fries and a round of made-to-order shrimp soup bowls. Both entrees were perfect! Who would have ever thought “specialty gourmet” in a beer garden tucked behind a nondescript historic deco hotel in the North Shores area? Pearls are always hidden in the oyster!

For dinner we had hamburgers, pizza, and tripe. The burgers and pizza are excellent and typical “Beer Garden” food unsurprisingly, but Tripe? Another rebel surprise from this gastronomic beer-breeding hideaway in Miami Beach. So many rays out of nowhere here at Lou’s Beer Garden and I would venture to say these are daily happenings at Lou’s and you have to check them out for yourself to really experience it. It is where the locals go and even if you are not they welcome you with open arms and huge smiles. They invite you to sit in their garden, relax and have a beer with them; They’ll even throw you a burger on the grill, the underground hospitality here at Lou’s Beer Garden can’t get any better than that. So whether you’re from Minnesota, Montana, Maine, or Miami, you’ll be treated like a next door neighbor at Lou’s Beer Garden.