The weather’s getting warmer and there’s just a hint of spring in the air. Naturally, it’s time to start dreaming about sunny afternoons spent with a cold beer (or three). Berlin is home to some of Europe’s best beer, and we’ve got the best pubs right here. Read on for our guide to the best beer bars in Berlin!
Kaschk, Mitte
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Kaschk is serving the trifecta of a perfect Sunday: coffee, beer, and… shuffleboard. A coffee shop by day, this Scandi-inspired cafe/bar transforms as night falls. The lights dim and attention is shifted to the blackboard of beer selections. This rotating curation of 12 craft beers includes both imports and local options, including Kaschk’s own brews. The staff are more than happy to help you make decisions, but if you’re feeling spoiled for choice you can sample a few different beers or opt for a flight of four. Bring a group of friends and reserve a shuffleboard table downstairs, or peruse the library of board games.
Vagabund Brauerei, Wedding
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Tucked away on a residential street in Wedding far from Berlin’s usual touristy hotspots is Vagabund Brauerei. The long wooden tables in this microbrewery are always packed with local customers thirsty for the next new brew. Vagabund offers a wide selection of ales, as well as stouts, sours, and porters. The focus here is on the beer, but nobody minds if you bring your own snacks. They also host regular home brewing courses, tastings, and events. This is the kind of place to spend a leisurely evening tasting some of the best craft beers Berlin has to offer.
Protokoll, Friedrischain
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Protokoll is the kind of bar that is obviously made by people who love beer. The lengthy bottle list and the 24 (!) taps of sours, pale ales, wheat beers, stouts, and classic Berliner weisse have been thoughtfully curated by a team who definitely know what they’re doing. You’ll find a variety of local brewers plus interesting and obscure craft beers from across the world. Protokoll’s bright yellow tiles are complemented by exposed brick and recycled wood furniture – an eclectic design that fits in well with the colorful neighborhood of Friedrischain. USB chargers are dotted around, perfect for the weary traveler to sit down, recharge, and sample a few top-quality brews.
Hops & Barley, Friedrischain
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A few streets over from Protokoll is Hops & Barley, one of Berlin’s longest-standing craft breweries. The heavy wooden bar and tiled walls belie the space’s history as a former butcher shop, now a popular and established brewpub. Embracing both traditional German beers and experimental flavors, Hops & Barley offers pilsners, weizen, and dunkel as well as apfelwein. Four different beers plus a cider are on tap here, and can be paired with cold cuts, crackers, bockwurst, and tarte flambée if your heart so desires. Regular game days and brewing courses keep the community spirit flowing.
Muted Horn, Neukölln
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A bright pink neon sign beckons you into the otherwise unassuming brewpub of Muted Horn in Neukölln. With 22 taps mounted on the wall and over a hundred different options for bottles, Muted Horn is the beer lover’s paradise. Thankfully for us mere mortals, the bar staff are extremely patient and will happily guide you through the list with suggestions and recommendations. Taster flights are the way to go here. While Muted Horn doesn’t serve food, they are more than happy to provide cutlery and plates if you bring your own or order delivery. A range of board games is available throughout the bar to keep you occupied all night long.
Hopfenreich, Wrangelkiez
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This corner pub just off the party area of Schlesischestraße has a much more chill vibe than its neighboring street. Walking into Hopfenreich, you’ll be greeted by rustic wooden tables, the warm glow of candlesticks, and a small stuffed hedgehog sitting on the bar (which we do not recommend petting). With 22 different beers on tap from around the world, you can try exceptional local beers like Heidepeters as well as gems from the US and Scandinavia. Hopfenreich was opened by the organizers of Berlin Bier Fest, so unsurprisingly the diverse range of craft beers is absolutely top-notch.
Monterey Bar, Prenzlauer Berg
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And now for something completely different. Monterey Bar is a rock bar in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg with a huge selection of top-quality beer and whiskey from around the world. Ten different draught options are accompanied by an extensive bottle list. British, American, and Belgian beers are here alongside local Berlin favorites like Flying Turtle and Rollberg. The vibe is unpretentious and the decor is weird and wonderful, with red and purple neon lighting, fantastical murals, and vintage arcade games.
Remember to always consume alcohol responsibly. For the freedom to enjoy Berlin hands-free, book easy nearby luggage storage with Nannybag!