Pizza and Beer @ Ollie Standing Bar, Kego, Fukuoka

 

Pizza and beer are one of life few winning combinations. It is something about the two combining together that somehow creates great magic. I mean, wine and pizza is also great, like the way Italians intended. But there is nothing like pizza and beer, which really represents a proper night out with the boys. And that is why I am excited to introduce to you all to a new place that opened recently. 

Quaint

Ollie Standing Bar, or just Ollie is a pizza place whereby great pizzas are paired with a great selection of craft beer from Japan and other interesting parts of the world. And when it comes to interesting flavours this place does not disappoint! This place has a variety of pizza types to choose from, from the classic margarita to cream based creations and unique recipes in between. And since this is my first time, I thought we should have a bit of everything! 

First of many

The first pizza that stopped by was the porcini and egg which stood for 2000 yen. This beauty was definitely one of the highlights of the meal. The center of this masterpiece was a half cooked egg and it was laced with aforementioned porcini mushrooms and some ham. This was very indulgent and was something we wolfed down very fast. The cream based sauce was a terrific treat for this and definitely works better than a tart tomato base. What I liked was that he crust was quite fluffy and had a nice bite to it. It was a cross between a naan and a crepe, if that makes sense. The cheese was also very top quality which is never a bad thing. The only complain I have is the size, which is slightly larger than a Domino's personal. 

Spicy!

For the first pairing I got myself the Electric Forest beer, which is a sansho pepper beer which stood at 1300 a can. And yes, this beer was a bit spicy. But I really liked it. There was a kick of sansho, thus the electricity in the name. Even without the spicy backdrop, this was a nice beer with an earthy profile of hops that invites you for another sip. A bit unusual, but surprisingly enjoyable. 

The classic

The next in line was something more traditional in the form of the margarita. This one stood at a more modest 1500 yen. it was not as interesting as the first one, but it is this classic form which you can really appreciate the true flavour of the crust. The nuttiness and slight buttery flavours comes out in full force for this one. The tomato sauce was also quite fresh and inviting. It would prefer it to be a bit sweeter, but it was still nice nonetheless. 

Corn gone wrong?

Not to be outdone was a "youngsters' adult" pizza which caught my attention. And it turns out to be another cream based pizza with corn and lots of ham. It was quite interesting and I enjoyed it a lot. I am not a fan of corn on my pizza, which is a very Japanese style when it comes to these things. But the cream based sauce helped everything to come together. Similar to the porcini pizza earlier, the cream help combine the ingredients a way that tomatoes may not.  Not bad for 1600 yen. 

Another classic. 

If you are not a fan of craft beer, you do not have to worry as the place also have your standard alcoholic beverages. A highball stands at a very modest 550 yen. it is not the best highball per se, but this classic Japanese boozer will treat you just fine. 

Crunch time

In addition to the pizzas, there are also little treats that you can try too. We ordered some truffle fries which stood at 650 yen. This was very nice and paired well with the beer I got earlier. The spiciness from the sansho beer provided that extra profile which elevated the bittersweet aroma of the truffle oil. The generous serving of parmesan on top was also something I enjoyed alot. 

If you are a fan of interesting beers, then this is the right place for you...

After a great time with some friends, we decided to head back as we had work the next day. This place is actually not too shabby. I liked the vibe which is similar to a casual American diner. The variety of pizzas were interesting and the overall product was very tasty. Each pizza was based as per order and everything comes out piping hot and fresh. I do have to admit that they are a bit steep to my liking, but the quality does justify the price. So if you are down to try some interesting beverages with a piping hot slice of pizza, then Ollie has got you covered. If you fancy a go, then the address is as follows:

〒810-0023 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Kego, 2 Chome−11−16 ARTTY Kego 1F

Front of the house