When you say Germany, people immediately think of beer. Okay, well they probably think of two other, ahem, events first -- but beer’s a close third. The capital city is starting to catch up to its more hop-headed neighbors, and offers some quality brews, many of which embrace the traditional German styles, and even better, you don’t have to deal with aggressively merry tourists in lederhosen to enjoy it.
Berliner Weisse
What it is: This crisp, bitter, fruity brew is low in alcohol (2.5%-2.7%), but big on refreshment. Usually served with a shot of sweet syrup, it is ideal for idle Summer days relaxing in one of the city’s lush parks.
Where to get it: Known as the “people’s Champagne”, pretty much any biergarten in the city serves this Summer delight. Our favorite is Prater Biergarten in Prenzlauer Berg.
Kellerbier
What it is: Literally “cellar beer”, this unfiltered lager is considered “flat” by most non-native drinkers. That is because the “bung” on the wooden cask is left untightened. Alternately, a zwickelbier offers the same taste, but with more bubbles.
Where to get it: True kellerbier is usually served where it is brewed, mainly in Southern Germany. But you can find a quality bottled version, Zirndorfer Kellerbier, at Das Meisterstück (The Masterpiece) in Mitte.
Pilsner
What it is: Pretty famous! With origins in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the most common style brew worldwide has strong ties to Northern Germany, although the name comes from the Czech city of Pilsen. Emphasizing hops over malts is what gives pilsners their bitter front, up to 45 units of bitterness in some brands (compared to five units in a typical American lager.)
Where to get it: The most traditional taste happens at Wilhelm Hoeck, one of Berlin’s oldest bars with its famed slow pours. But if you want something more modern, Hops & Barley in Friedrichshain offers a non-filtered version at the top of their menu.
Wiezenbock
What it is: A barley-based brew, like a stronger, unfiltered hefeweizen. Some say that “wheat-bock” is the original style bock from the 15th century, although it wouldn’t come back around until 400 years later.
Where to get it: Regardless of its history, the future of wiezenbocks in Berlin rests at Vagabund in Wedding, where the regularly rotated Hoppy Wiezenbock adds a twist of citrus to the mix.
Helles
What it is: The word actually translates to “light”, but this isn’t a drink for preventing beer bellies. Rather, helles refers only to the color of the drink, while the alcohol content and flavor both remain firmly in the middle of the spectrum.
Where to get it: The Rollberg Brewery in Neukölln is open only on Friday and Saturday evenings, but you can find their helles on tap at dozens of bars around the city.
Schwarzbier
What it is: This “black beer” might look mighty thick and heavy, but those who are used to drinking Guinness as a meal might be disappointed by a certain crispness that accompanies the smooth and malty taste. So for those not looking to fill up, schwarzbiers (especially schwarzpils) can be a light snack.
Where to get it: John Muir in Kreuzberg typically has a fantastic Aiblinger Schwarzbier from Maxi Rainier on tap, although when they run out, the Pyraser Rotbier is a worthy alternative.
Bockbier
What it is: Thick and heavy, a bock should be at least 6% alcohol (7% if you go doppelbock, 9% if eisbock). That’s why it is considered a Winter specialty, the complete opposite of the light and Summery Berliner Weisse.
Where to get it: Eschenbräu kicks off its bock on the traditional date of October 1st. Heidenpeters on the other hand, brews a Maibock “Spring Bock” in the basement of Markthalle Neun, then sells it upstairs at the weekly Street Food Thursday.
Dunkel
What it is: A Bavarian specialty that has made its way North (like most German beers), a dunkel is another dark and chewy brew, though less malty than a bock. It’s also not as strong, falling in the 4.8% to 5.6% range.
Where to get it: Brauhaus Südstern brews and serves a fantastic three-malt dunkel on the South side of the city. Brewmaster Thorsten Schoppe also recently opened Pfefferbräu on the North end of town -- in an old brewery, no less -- so his dunkels are never too far away.
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1. Prater Biergarten Kastanienallee
Kastanienallee 7-9, Berlin -
2. Das Meisterstück
Hausvogteiplatz 3-4, Berlin -
3. Wilhelm Hoeck
Wilmersdorfer Str. 149, Berlin -
4. Hops & Barley
Wühlischstr. 22, Berlin -
5. Vagabund Brauerei
Antwerpener Strasse 3, Berlin -
6. Privatbrauerei Am Rollberg
Werbellinstraße 50, Berlin -
7. John Muir
Skalitzer Str. 50, Berlin -
8. Markthalle Neun
Eisenbahnstraße 42, Berlin -
9. Brauhaus Südstern
Hasenheide 69, Berlin -
10. Pfefferbräu
Schönhauser Allee 176, Berlin
A venue that once served as a political meeting space, performance venue, theater, and public house is now one of Berlin's oldest outdoor beer gardens. Ideal for big group outings, this chesnut-shaded yard sports yellow picnic-styles tables, doused in light from string bulbs above. The attached Prater restaurant serves as much more than an alcohol sponge, featuring a seasonal menu with classic German fare like schnitzel, meatballs, and an egg/mustard mash called Senfeier mit Quetschkartoffeln, all accompanied by fresh vegetables from nearby farms.
If you're looking for quality over quantity, you'll love this Mitte spot, which keeps it simple with a menu limited to beer, bread, and sausages.
The kitchen at this Charlottenburg establishment uses only fresh and regional ingredients to create their seasonal dishes. And if you want a fresh cold adult beverage, well, they have a quality selection of those as well, including their famed slow pours.
With its tiled floors & walls, exposed pipes, and visible brewing gear, Hops & Barley has a distinct English brewpub vibe to it. And while Germany generally trumps England in just about everything (football, cars, delicious sausages), this Berlin spot does well taking cues from the Brits. The Hops & Barley crew regularly brews pilsners, dark pils, wheats, and cider, and, on occasion they even bring out special IPAs and brown lagers.
This microbrewery is the project of three American ex-pats who were home brewers back in the states. Although the shop is currently only open on weekends, Vagabund is hard at work on small batch IPAs, Szechuan saisons, and coffee stouts.
This Neukölln brewery is certainly in the running for coolest location, because you'll find Rollberg in a massive old factory in an area full of looming brick buildings. From this space, Rollberg is making German-style brews like red, wheat, and block beers, all of which you can enjoy in their (small) outdoor beer garden.
GM is well-known in Berlin for being one of the best cocktail bars in the city, mostly because of a constantly changing 'tails menu and a relaxed atmosphere.
Run out of a giant 120-year-old building, Markthalle Neun is a weekly market featuring food, crafts, and tons of other stuff to buy.
This Kreuzberg brewery offers a unique and festive atmosphere and seating for up to 180 people, including a spacious area outside where you can enjoy one of many of their signature brews.
This Schönhauser Allee brewery and resto serves regional cuisine crafted with local ingredients, and they're also brewing a range of tasty beers from dunkels to helles and more.