Beer in Germany is taken very, very seriously, with the 500-year old Reinheitsgebot (purity laws) still in place today. There’s probably no other country in the world with such a long-running beer-making tradition, and so many beer-related sights and events – just take a look at our post about the 5 Seidla Steig, a ‘beer hike’ close to Nuremberg.
So, it comes as no surprise that the German capital takes its beer very, very seriously. However, don’t forget Berlin is no ordinary city – so, it comes as no surprise that the beer scene in Berlin is definitely not conventional.
You won’t find many Bavarian-style biergartens, or old-school beer halls with oompah bands and sausage galore – ok, maybe there are a couple, but there are also plenty of microbreweries and craft beer bars in Berlin!
From Kreuzberg to Friedrichshain, all the way to Wedding and Schoneberg, we toured the city in search of the best craft beer in Berlin. And if we couldn’t make it, we sent our Berliner friends in our place.
There you go – our very own Berlin craft beer guide, tried and tested by your good friends at Lost in Fermentation!
Looking for beer-themed tours and experiences in Berlin? There you are!
- Berlin: Best Craft Beers Private Tasting Tour
- Berlin 3 Hour Beer Tasting Tour
- Drag Queen Tour of the Ku’Damm (with Currywurst and Beer!)
- Berlin Kreuzberg and Street Art Tour
Would you like to know another city where they take beer very, very seriously? Check our Craft Beer in Prague guide!
Best Microbreweries & Craft Beer Bars in Berlin
1) Vagabund Brauerei
Antwerpener Str. 3 – U-Bahn Leopoldplatz
Set up in 2013 by three American pals living in Berlin, Vagabund Brauerei brewed its first beer in 2009 and has been winning awards ever since. A self-proclaimed nano-brewery, they produce more than 150 styles of beer ranging from Belgian ales to double IPAs.
Located in a former bar itself – in the leafy neighbourhood of Wedding – visiting this fixture of Berlin craft beer scene is a great experience. The guys behind it are super friendly, and they’ve got a varied selection to try out at any given time you feel like visiting. No food on offer, but you can bring your own.
If you don’t know what to order, their Bindlestiff IPA is a solid option, and their salted lime Gose Chasing Sunset is the perfect craft beer for a summer evening in Berlin.
2) Brauhaus Lemke
Dircksenstraße, S-Bahnbogen – S-Bahn Hackescher Markt
Oli Lemke, the founder of Brauhaus Lemke, has a varied resume. Having gained experience in brewing from Venezuela to Japan, he returned to Berlin in 1998 and opened his very own brewery inside a derelict S-Bahn unit. The rest is history.
The good thing about this mainstay of Berlin beer is its different locations around the city: there’s one in Alexanderplatz, another in Tiergarten (complete with a beer garden, which has proven very popular), and one in Charlottenburg, which was the result of Lemke taking over Louisenbrau, Berlin’s oldest microbrewery.
The traditional Berlin pub grub they serve up is ideally washed down with Lemke’s very own pilsner (delicious, by the way).
3) BRLO
Schöneberger Str. 16 – U-Bahn Gleisdreieck
Located in the heart of Gleisdreieck, and housed within 38 shipping containers, the name of this brewery points to the very Slavic origin of Berlin’s name. It may feel like it’s in the middle of nowhere, but in fact you’re only a short distance from Potsdamer Platz. Open the door, and you’ll enter into the world of one of the best places for craft beer in Berlin.
Boasting an impressive brewery, BRLO creates a delectable range of both beers and food. There’s a big beer garden with a patio, and two outdoor bars for when the weather’s fine. Opt for a six beer sampler to get things started – or you can opt for a brewery tour, available both in English and German.
4) Eschenbrau
Triftstraße 67 – U-Bahn Leopoldplatz U-Bahn, U-Bahn + S-Bahn Wedding
Also located in the Wedding area, Eschenbrau is the brainchild of Martin Eschenbrenner. After learning his trade from scratch, he set up this warm, welcoming and rustic-feeling brewery. An all-seasons sort of place, complete with a tree-filled beer garden, it’ll quickly become one of your favorite craft beer spots in Berlin.
If you’re wondering what to try, there are different beers on offer depending on the season, but – if you can – sample the bitter and malty Roter Wedding (5.8%), or opt for something like the delicious and citrusy Pankegold (5.1%).
Eschenbrau is a little hard to find, located in the courtyard of a residential building. Once you’re there, you won’t want to leave – it’s one of the best beer places in Berlin with a Bavarian vibe, and on Sundays there’s often live traditional music!
5) Two Fellas Brewery
Mühlenstraße 30 – U-Bahn Vinetastraße
Two Fellas Brewery is a micropub located in the family-friendly, somewhat upscale district of Pankow – and, yes, it’s run by two “fellas”, Mike Moineau and Rob Faber, from Midwest America. A well-established part of the craft beer movement in Berlin since 2018, there’s a local, community vibe here that makes it a comfortable place to be.
There’s a great selection of craft beer on offer. The house Cream Ale is something to try if you like to step outside the world of pilsners and lagers – it’s made from 30% corn. If you’re hungry, try one of their America-style beer dough pizzas (made with their own beer).
6) Hops & Barley
Wühlischstraße 22/23 – U-Bahn Samariterstraße
A small, in-house brewery set in Friedrichshain that’s been serving up its own brews since 2008, Hops & Barley use an array of ingredients to bring something different to the table. They brew a spectrum of special beers weekly, alongside a selection of more traditional Pilsners and Weizens.
At Hops & Barley, it’s all about the natural taste; that means these guys don’t filter their beer. If you’re into that, you may want to check out their homemade cider – it’s matured in the barrel and served cloudy. Enjoy home-baked bread and snacks in their carefully old-fashioned interiors to go along with all that delicious beer. Definitely another worthwhile stop for craft beer in Berlin!
Heading Stateside? Don’t miss our Best Craft Beer in Brooklyn guide!
7) Heidenpeters
Eisenbahnstraße 42-43 – U-Bahn Görlitzer Bahnhof
Johannes Heidenpeter is the mastermind behind his namesake bar. Brewing up 500 liters of the good stuff each day from his basement brewery, Heidenpeter loves to use a veritable menu of quirky ingredients to set his brews apart from the rest – star anise and elderberry, for example.
To provide a space for people to enjoy that beer, he built a bar above the basement. It’s been a hotspot for craft beer in Berlin ever since. You’ll find his wooden bar in the market hall on the eastern end of very hip Kreuzberg, not far from Görlitzer Park.
8) Bierkombinat Kreuzberg
Manteuffelstraße 53 – U-Bahn Görlitzer Bahnhof
Another craft beer spot in Kreuzberg, Bierkombinat is a well-known part of the scene. Located in a residential street in this trendy neighborhood, the brewery has an offbeat and very casual feel to it. But don’t let that put you off; it’s packing some of the best locally brewed ales in Berlin.
Alongside its traditional IPAs, you’ll find craft bottles brewed by the area’s very own Schoppe Brau, among offerings from other local breweries. There’s a laid-back vibe here, very easygoing and with a local crowd to match – you’ll really feel that Kreuzberg atmosphere.
9) Strassenbrau
Neue Bahnhofstraße 30 – S-Bahn Ostkreuz
Located on the busy Neue Bahnhofstrasse in Friedrichshain, Strassenbrau has to be one of the top places for craft beer in Berlin. With its picturesque setting, complete with outdoor seating, it’s perfect in summer but still cozy in winter. The interiors are charming – think rustic wooden boards, shiny brewing kettles, and brick walls.
You’ll be able to sample IPAs, stouts, and sours, and just about everything in between. The staff are very warm and chatty; they’ll even let you order food from a local restaurant to eat as you sip on your beer – this could be anything from Stralauer (a blonde) to their own very light and hoppy IPA.
10) Protokoll
Boxhagener Str. 110 – U-Bahn Samariterstraße
Protokoll is a cool spot for craft beer in Berlin – the edgy interiors, different seating options, and a swish bar make it feel decidedly hip. Firmly imprinting their mark on the German craft beer scene, these guys aren’t just cool; they have dedicated themselves to producing top-quality beer as well (and they’ve also got a good sense of humor).
With 24 taps to choose from, as well as plenty of bottles, it’s all served up by staff who know what they’re talking about, and who love beer. The well balanced, easy-to-drink Intense Pulse Lupulin IPA comes highly recommended.
11) Privatbrauerei Am Rollberg
Am Sudhaus 3 – U-Bahn Rathaus Neukölln
Set inside the historic Kindl Brewery vaults in Neukölln, Privatbrauerei Am Rollberg have been serving up exquisite brews since 2009. It’s interesting to note that their beer is 100% all-natural, neither pasteurized nor filtered. They do this to preserve the taste of the raw materials used in the brewing process.
There are just three beers to choose from here, but don’t let the small selection fool you; they’re light and very drinkable, fitting perfectly with the simple, historic setting. There’s also a garden and board games, so you can easily while away a whole afternoon and evening lapping up the atmosphere – and the beer!
12) Muted Horn
Flughafenstraße 49 – U-Bahn Boddinstraße
Like a top Berlin nightclub, Muted Horn is practically hidden from view. In fact, you wouldn’t know there was a place here if it wasn’t for the pink neon sign above the door. It’s set in a quiet location, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun: inside, its minimal interiors, sofas, chairs, and tables ooze an easygoing sense of cool.
This independent Berlin craft beer bar hosts 22 rotating taps, accompanied by more than 100 specialty bottles. If you’re in the mood for trying something different, it’s a veritable beer paradise. The staff here really know their stuff, so if you get chatting to them, they’ll be sure to have a recommendation for you.
13) Birra – Italian Craft Beer
Prenzlauer Allee 198 – S-Bahn Prenzlauer Allee
Italian craft beer – in Berlin? Yes, you read right. Actually, this late-night beer hall is one of the top spots for craft beer in Berlin. Located in the heart of Prenzelauer Berg, this is the product of Italian master brewers Manuele Colonna from Rome, and Giampaolo Sangiorgi from Birrificio Lambrate – included in our Milan craft beer guide!
Birra, therefore, is a special concoction of classic Italian and Berlin cool. Alongside the brews, there is – of course – Italian food to compliment the beers themselves. Among the best beers to try here are the strong golden ale Sant’Ambroeus or the exceptional and hoppy Birrificio Lambrate double IPA.
14) Hopfenreich
Sorauer Str. 31 – U-Bahn Schlesisches Tor
Born out of the success of a beer festival in 2014, and claiming to be ‘officially the first craft beer bar in Berlin’, Hopfenreich is a Kreuzberg hotspot that you really shouldn’t miss out on if you’re in search of craft beer in Berlin.
Compact and cosy, with traditional meets minimalist interiors, Hopfenreich is just off the main road and near a U-Bahn station, so it’s not hard to find like some other places. You’ll be welcomed warmly with a friendly atmosphere, and greeted by a selection of craft beers (22 on tap, to be exact) – all at reasonable prices.
If you like your beers light and delicate, the Berliner Berg Brewery Pils is the one for you.