Paragon: the first taproom with just opened in Athens
Through the large windows I watch: long, wooden bar, behind it the glasses are constantly filled with gold beer. He plays rock, a voice that sings the chorus with passion rises, for a while, above the other sounds. The real scene, however, is set behind and above all… A glass wall separates the hall from the brewery. You can see it lit up in all its glory as it drinks it beer which, incidentally, was produced right here. Half microbrewery, half barroom, this is the Model, which I still find it hard to believe is in Athena and not in a capital of Northern Europe.
The Model has only been open for ten days. And yet, the evenings are already full. So it is with the good news: they travel by word of mouth. And what better news than a brand new hangout that serves fresh, craft beer; “It simply came to our notice then. Let the people get into the production, get in touch with the derivatives and drink beer properly. THE fresh beer it is unfiltered, sterile and has a consumption period of at most 6 months “, says the Giannis Psimoulis together with his wife, Eleftheria Papadaki, and her brother Tassos Papadakis opened it Model. I ask Giannis what her superiority is fresh beer. He answers: “H. beer as it comes in contact with new surfaces, it necessarily “sacrifices” some aromas, so we also try to transfer directly from the fermentation and maturation tank either to the barrel or to a box or bottle. But again the can or bottle than the barrel have a greater risk of coming in contact with oxygen, deteriorating and losing aromas. So the barrel is the safest of all types of engagement and bottling “.
John was furious with her beer. It started as home brewing making his own beer at home. Realizing that this was what he wanted to do in this life, he quit his job at the bank and became a beer producer in Anastasiou Brewery in the Chalandri. This is how he met Eleftheria ˙ he had come on a tour that he did at the brewery. The third of the group, Tassos, got stuck with her craft beer when one night they turned the pubs on and started tasting new beers. Suddenly everything took its course. A little later the three of them would decide to produce their own beer and serve it on their own barroom.
The Model is the first microbrewery in Greece which is at the same time and barroom. This means that he can watch the whole process beer production (guided tours will start soon) and later drink it in a glass. The site is impressive in itself: an old blacksmith shop that has retained its industrial character. “We have been looking for the right place for months”, Eleftheria tells me and continues “We wanted something big enough to fit the brewery and barroom». And finally they found something ideal: 320 sq.m. all their own. In the summer the terrace for beers will open with a view.
At the moment you will find two craft beers of Model: τη “California”, a great American Pale Ale and “Unbreakable” made in collaboration with Anastasiou Brewery, a American IPA pure poem! There are, however, other beers because, as Giannis says, “We want to recommend the good work of other colleagues as well.” So, you will still find craft beers from the Mikonu Brewing Company, the Cretan Charma, Thessaloniki Snipa, the American stone, English Slope to profession and three more beers from Anastasiou Brewery. Beyond these 10 beers, however, soon its own production Model will increase with the aim of reaching 4-5 basic flow beers and from there on recommending a new beer every week. “This means craft culture,” says Giannis again, “for people to try new beers.” And if among all these beers you find the one who does not want to leave, then she will be bottled in front of you to take with you.
There are also wines from Semeli winery in Nemea, the program is different Event with street food delicacies, while with the new year the Model will also have its own kitchen. Something tells me that Athens has just found its next hangout…
Limassol 3, Ilioupoli, 6981947030, Fb: @paragonbrewery, Instagram: @paragonbrewerysouthathens, open Tuesday to Sunday: 17.00-01.30, Monday closed