United Nations of Beer

Bar Volo

by Chris St. Mary
(Beer Delegate, NY, USA)

Bar Volo
Toronto, ON, Canada

Finding a good beer pub is often like looking for a needle in a haystack. In this case, Bar Volo is a golden needle.

Nestled in at 587 Yonge Street in Toronto, this "caffe" is a beer lover's dream. If you weren't looking for it, you could easily pass it while traveling north on one of this city’s busiest thoroughfares.

For those of you unfamiliar with Toronto, Yonge Street is lined with all sorts of bars, pubs, restaurants and shops. From the exterior, Volo really doesn't stand out from a lot of them. Once you get inside, you see the difference and your quest for a great beer destination is fulfilled.

The food menu has an Italian leaning with appetizers, pasta and pizzas that are great.

The beer menu is straight out of the United Nations. It is broken down by country and very extensive.

There were beers listed that I have never tried (or even heard of) and I have travelled quite a lot in my search for the perfect pint.

There were micros from all of the Ontario craft breweries, a large selection of Belgians, the pre-requisite of a well versed list from Germany and many from just about any country that has a brewery.

The selections from the US were not a good representation of what is made and available here, but I'm told that may change in the not too distant future.

All in all, this was an excellent meal with wonderful beers to wash it down.

I think any beer lover would be hard-pressed to not be able to find a beer selection on the menu that would satisfy them.

When in Toronto, it's a perfect stop for the thirsty traveller when visiting this part of "The Great White North".