Kultainen Apina – Golden Monkey. What a strange name for a Finnish pub situated in a suburb ten kilometres away from Tampere’s city centre! What makes this pub unique is its great craft beer selection. They have their own import channels and sell a wide variety of different types and styles of beers. Otherwise, it is just a regular suburban bar for the guys that take always the regular ”big lager beer” from the tap.

In Hervanta, almost a small city inside the city of Tampere, I’m more like a tourist, since I live 20 kilometres away, on the other end of Tampere. But why on earth take a 1-hour bus ride to get a beer (good enough reason, too!)? My son has been living in Hervanta for years and I go there to meet him and often help with cleaning & such (what wouldn’t moms do…) and sometimes afterwards give myself a treat and go to Kultainen Apina for some moments to relax.

There was a time when my daughter was as an exchange student in the U.S.A. and I always wanted to have something from California. Now, since I often travel to Russia, I like giving Russian beers a chance. I love Indian pale ales with strong and fruity hops — always a must-try.

I usually like to have small 2 dl beers to try, and since the assortment changes often, it is easy to try new tastes.