SW update
 

SW staff have been staging strikes that have caused flight delays and cancellations, this in the midst of an announcement that the airline has been sold to a group of investors. The sale is pending the outcome of a 30 day due diligence process, sale price apparently little more than assumption of the company´s debt.

If this sale goes through, the new investor group seems to have wide enough shoulders to get the airline back to normal operations. Still, until further news is confirmed I maintain my suggestion to stear clear of SW tickets.

Apartmentsba.com
 

Robert,

I'm a Flyertalker that left my corporate life to move down to Buenos Aires. I suggest you check out websites with message boards like Fodors.com, Frommers.com, Lonely Planet.com, Tripadvisor.com I think you will find the answer to your question about Apartmentsba.com

I came down to Buenos Aires almost 20 times before moving down here. I've stayed in many, many 4 and 5 star hotels and I stayed in many apartments. Honestly, if you are dealing with a reputable company, a luxury higher end apartment blows an expensive hotel out of the water. Much more room, higher end furniture, some companies provide local cell phones, complementary high-speed Internet, bigger TV's, DVD players, USA phones, etc. I think apartment rentals around the world are becoming more popular than hotels.

Have a great time in Buenos Aires. It's a wonderful city.

Saint, if you are in town, perhaps you would like to join us at one of the events of this FT Do...? Check this out:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396602

Cheers,
Gaucho100K

Gaucho what are the average shipping costs on a case of wine from your distributorship to new york city, roughly?

Please check your PM inbox.

Beer and Espresso
 

Hello,

First off I would like to thank everyone (especially Gaucho100K) who has posted to this awesome thread. I recently bought tickets (with AA miles and cash) to Buenos Aires and the questions and replies here have helped immensely with the trip planning. I can hardly wait for our trip. In fact before even having gone I am starting to wonder how to work in a return trip
because I am sure we will enjoy our first trip so much.

I was however wondering if anyone knows anything about Beer in Argentina. We drink wine occasionally (and of course will definitely be up for drinking Argentinian wines), but my husband's one true love is Beer. Particularly Belgian (musty, yeasty, and pungent) beer. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about availability of Belgian beer in Buenos Aires? I would research it when we get there, but my Spanish is unfortunately almost Nil and so It might be more difficult. Finding Belgian Beer isn't essential to our trip but it would be a bonus!


I was also wondering if anyone has some good suggestions on where to get a really good chock full o' crema espresso. This isn't as difficult obviously as finding where to buy or consume a good Belgian Beer, but It would be nice to know nevertheless if anyone could help me out.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer regarding these questions.

Best Regards, Shakti

There is Quilmes and then there is Quilmes. :D Just kidding. There are quite a few "Irish pubs" and the like there, but I don't know many Argentines running around the world looking for Argentine beer (even when in Argentina). But it is an Argentine icon of sorts (unless the Brazilians bought it too) so he should try it out.

Honestly, I love beer, too. But don't go to Argentina for beer and don't really trouble yourself looking around for quality beer in Argentina. It's really not worth the time and effort. And if you did end up finding the beer you're looking for, I don't really think the rest of what's on the menu will suffice as a quality Argentine experience.

There's a good micro brewery in El Bolson (Cerveceria El Bolson) that's widely distributed in the Lake District and sometimes can be found in Buenos Aires. Their fruit beers are quite good(the Cherry in particular) - not surprising as the region grows quite a bit of fresh fruit, as well as much of Argentina's hops. Microbrews are expensive in Argentina compared to the wine - AR$4 for a 12oz El Bolson vs Ar$6 for a bottle of wine, and aside from a few microbrews none of the beer is worth searching for, it's all interchangeable. Quilmes, Brahma, Budweiser, Paulaner, Heineken are all locally brewed lagers(contract breweries for the big names).

Im not a huge beer drinker, so Im afraid I cant add much to whats been said above. Perhaps my only comment would be that according to my untrained and novice beer pallate, the mainstream argentine beer is at least equal to some of the premium label beers in the USA (e.g. Michelob). We dont, however, have all the different sub-types of beers that are available in the states, especially the "light" categories.

Good points... Quilmes is in fact an icon, and yes, its still up there despite the fact that a Brazilian conglomerate bought it a couple of years back. If one is looking to try what Argentine beer is like, I suggest requesting a bottle of Quilmes Imperial. Its a limited distribution "premium" lager which has a somewhat larger mouthfill.

Shakti,

many thanks for the kind words.

It would be great to hear what your husband thinks of the mainstream Argentine beers. Some names for you to keep in mind for him to try, not that they are all that great but since he is a real fan I would suggest he still give them a try:

a) Quilmes (regular)
b) Quilmes Imperial
c) Quilmes Bock
d) Isenbeck
e) Schneider
f) Santa Fe
g) Palermo

(please note the last 3 will not be available in all areas)

Cheers,
Alex (Gaucho100K)

Thanks for the invite Gaucho100k.

I'm going to be doing some traveling (vacation) the next few months but I'll try to make it. I live here full-time now and really love it. Mark me down for a probably. Take care and have fun if I don't meet up with you.

Saint

Thanks for the beer advice.
 

Thanks everyone for the beer tips. I appreciate your time and input. I will make a point to try the Quilmes Imperial and will look for the El Bolson beers. I don't generally drink mass produced mainstream label domestics here (partly due to the fact that I live in the "Pacific NW Independent Beer Brewing Territories" which is ground zero for excellent microbrewed beer). However when traveling I have been known to drink beer that is mainstream. Joe drinks beer more in the way a wine lover drinks a fine wine. He uncorks (some of his beers come corked) or uncaps it. Uses different glasses for different types. Pours it, lets it warm, holds it up to view color, smells it, etc......It doesn't sound like he'll be doing that with most of the beers mentioned. Still, we will make an effort to try them. I'll give you an update. That will have to wait though as we won't be going to Arentina for another 5-6 weeks.


Thanks again everyone! -Shakti

Buenos Aires Airport Transport
 

Hi All,

I'm organizing a trip of 12 students to BsAs, and I was wondering what the best way to get to San Telmo from the airport was. We're arriving at various times, and for some groups I'd personally feel a lot better if I could have a taxi waiting for them there with a placard, to shuttle them off to our hostel. Could someone post a phone number of a reliable service, and approximately how much it costs compared to a taxi just picked up at the airport?

Thanks

W