Berlin Daytrip
No city quite epitomises the divisions in Europe during the cold war period as Berlin does as it was literally split in half by the Berlin Wall erected by the East Germans. In modern re-unified Germany, traces of that period still exist, from the tourist attractions like Checkpoint Charlie to the sections of wall that remain in place as a reminder.
I’ve visited Berlin a number of times and done all of the touristy stuff, so this time I’m here for a specific purpose. A one-day bar crawl to some of the best craft beer venues that Berlin has to offer.
My day starts early with a 06:20 flight from Zürich to Berlin Tegal and a bus ride into the city. As I had time to kill before the bars I’m visiting open, I stop for a breakfast at Zimt und Zucker on Potsdamer Straße.
BRŁO Brwhouse
From Zimt und Zucker, I walked to my first stop of the day, the BRŁO Brwhouse, the home of craft brewery BRŁO and their famed restaurant. Arriving just after opening time, you first notice the collection of painted shipping containers that make up the brewery and other facilities and then the excellent beer garden.
Wanting to experience the range of beers that BRŁO produce, I opted to try the Tasting Board with Food Pairing, a flight of 5 BRŁO beers accompanied with 5 small dishes that emphasise their flavour. The 5 beers and their accompaniments are:
- Berliner Weisse, accompanied by green apple cream, Boskoop apple and apple chips;
- Helles, accompanied by toasted bread and raw white mushrooms;
- Pale Ale, accompanied by roasted chicory with lettuce cream;
- German IPA, accompanied by miso-cream, fermented cabbage and caraway;
- (Baltic) Porter, accompanied by fermented garlic.
Brewdog Berlin Mitte
After leaving the BRŁO Brwhouse, I head north to the Mitte area of Berlin and a quick stop at Brewdog Berlin Mitte. I’ve visited the bar previously, but this is the first time since I got my Brewdog Beer Visa, so I’m taking the opportunity to return and get a visa stamp while I’m in the city. My drink at Brewdog Berlin Mitte is Plead the 5th from Dark Horse Brewing Co.
From Brewdog Berlin Mitte, I head northeast to the Stone Brewing Tap Room for lunch and more beers.
Stone Brewing Tap Room
The Stone Brewing Tap Room brings a little bit of California to Berlin with its laid back vibe and with the weather being hot and sunny, I settle down outside for a few beers. While I’m at Stone, I have the following beers – Mission Warehouse Mosaic Wild Ale, Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout, White Ghost Berliner Weise and Stone Go To IPA.
I accompany the beers with Carnitas Tacos, made of Pulled Pork, Smoked Chili, Red Cabbage and Salsa.
Mikkeller Berlin
Leaving the Stone Brewing Tap Room, I head south to my final destination of the day, Mikkeller Berlin. As I’m short on time before my flight, I only have time for one beer here, Mikkeller’s Mitte Brown. After leaving Mikkeller Berlin, I catch a tram and bus back to the airport for my flight back to Zürich.
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