Going to be visiting Berlin soon. Haven’t been in about 10 years. Would appreciate suggestions where to drink traditional German style beers. I’ve searched the forums, done some other research and turned up a good number of brewpubs/craft breweries brewing IPAs, etc., and even craft places with US beers on tap, but I can find that where I live. I am more interested in classic German beers. May have a little time in Dresden, too, if anyone wants to chime in on options there. Thanks!
What do you mean by "classic, traditional German beers" exactly? You can drink lagers in any bar/kneipe in Berlin.
Yeah, generally lagers, you know: Pils, Helles, Fest/Marzen, Dunkel, Schwarzbier, Bock, etc. I would call kolsch and alt classic traditional German beers (although obviously not typically associated with Berlin). Berliner Weiss, of course. Hefe, too (but not really my thing). I know pretty much every bar/restaurant will have a lager. I was hoping for suggestions where I might find interesting, non/mass market, exceptional quality beers.
There are 53 places in the BA database that serve beer in Berlin, and if you click on the column header for Score you should end up with the place that will fit your needs. Reading some reviews, if they are current, will help fine tune the top candidates so that you get the right one. Good luck. https://www.beeradvocate.com/place/list/?start=0&c_id=DE&city=berlin&bar=Y&sort=avg
The former East Germany isn't really known for a lot of traditional beers...you will of course find a random Berliner Weisse but they are for sure an anomaly in that area. You'll likely find a good sized Getraenkemarkt wherever you are, but don't expect too much. The macros dominate and it will likely be a challenge to find a "traditional" beer from a smaller-ish brewery. Why? They simply just don't sell outside of their geographic area.
Berlin: Weihensteffaner by Hackisher Markt Hofbräu Wirtshaus not far from there. Austinener is farther up Prenzlauer. A well known beer bar is Muted Horn, look for the Monschambacher and Braierei Will beers there. If you know your German breweries you can find places selling Bavarian and Franconian beers. Lemke has thier own beers some traditional and some craft styles. Two locations, maybe more. The local big breweries like Kindl were bland. If you want a very traditional Berliner Weiße go to Schneeeule in Wedding. Dresden: Loads of Radeberger. Look for Czech beers, there are some. The nightlife area is north of the River, we were South by the Frauenkirche.
It was a long time ago so double-check everything still exists (and apologies if this isn't what you're looking for), but there was a Weihenstephaner restaurant in the Hackescher Markt in Berlin which was really good. I think there was an Augustiner near the Gendarmenmarkt, and maybe also a Löwenbräu/Franziskaner restaurant? Kind of touristy, I know, and traditional to the wrong region, but maybe in line with what you're looking for? Also, I think I went to Brauerei Watzke in Dresden just across the bridge in the Neustadt, and they had good beer and maybe a regionally specific traditional beer there as well. I also randomly bought a Meissner Schwerter Bennator Bockbier during my visit, which I remember being OK? That was a long time ago. Bringing back good memories, loved Berlin, loved Dresden! Edited to add: I had a good Schwarzbier in Berlin that you probably can't find in the US but I can't remember who made it. It was one of the big Berlin brewery brands.
Castle Bar in Mitte has a local Pilsner. Republic biergarten had Helles from Spalter brewing in Bavaria.
