In the early 2000s, when I first started to hang out at Il Bovaro, I had never seen such a place. It is the only place in Florence where they brew their own beers and then sell them on tap. Eventually, I started to travel abroad and found out that in Central Europe brewing pubs are quite common, but Il Bovaro remains the very first and most special one for me.
Since the year 2000 they brew three different beers there – Riki, Axel and Titan – plus two specials since 2013 – Alien and Ruat. They do it according to the traditional brewing process invented in Flandres: therefore, their beers are not pasteurised and have no food additives.
Furthermore, this pub is located inside an old renovated building dating back to the 14th century. It is just in front of San Frediano Gate, the only one out of the six original gates of the town still preserved at its original height. From Il Bovaro it also possible to see part of the original walls of the town, which were mostly destroyed in the 19th century.
They also serve food. What more could you want?