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

This is exactly who and what Lou Ramirez is; Miami Beaches brewmaster extraordinaire. Chef and beer lover Luis Ramirez 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 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, you go; Do not ask questions because it will undoubtedly be quite an experience. And what a night that! Lou’s Beer Garden is definitely where the locals go; It is very cool, modern and very friendly.

First we start 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 chickened out and stayed with Shock Top for the night, however the mayor in his true form literally added hair to his chest and his choices were Double Arrogant Bastard, Dead Guy Ale and Old Thumper ESA

For our trendy meals, we started with Lou’s special Belgian fries and a round of made-to-order shrimp bisque bowls. Both entrees were perfect! Who would have ever thought of a “gourmet specialty” in a Beer Garden tucked behind a nondescript historic deco hotel in the North Shores area? The pearls are always hidden in the oyster!

For dinner we had Burgers, Pizza and Tripe. The burgers and pizza are great and typical “Beer Garden” fare as you’d expect, but Tripe? another big surprise from this brewery-gastro-pub hideaway in Miami Beach. So many unexpected lightning strikes here at Lou’s Beer Garden and I would go so far as to say these are daily occurrences at Lou’s and you have to check them out for yourself to truly experience it. It is where the locals go and even if you are not there they welcome you with open arms and a big smile. They invite you to sit in their garden, relax and have a beer with them; They’ll even cook you a burger on the grill, the underground hospitality here at Lou’s Beer Garden doesn’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.