THIS ISN'T QUITE THE BAR NICK CAVE REFERS TO IN “O'MALLEY'S BAR”, ON THE BAD SEEDS’ ALBUM MURDER BALLADS. AND THAT CAN ONLY BE A GOOD THING. HOPFENREICH IS MORE A BAR THAT REPRESENTS THE CITY'S GROWING APPRECIATION OF CRAFT BEER, AND THIS IS ONE CRAFT-BEER BAR WITH ATTITUDE.
The speed at which Hopfenreich rotates and changes its tap-beer selection is outstanding. Once a keg is empty, the beer is immediately scratched from the board, and a different one is tapped and hooked up, keeping everything fresh. With over 22 tap beers that pull together regional selections, as well as international oddities, along with a Teutonic selection of bottled brews, Hopfenreich (that’s German for “hoppy”) is a beer-lover’s paradise, providing surprises on each and every visit.
Bucking the trends of other bars in the neighbourhood with its wide selection, Hopfenreich helps bring a more worldly and cosmopolitan feel to the local bar scene. Situated in Wrangelkiez, in between Turkish kebab shops, Portuguese bakeries and Asian takeaways, this beer paradise is part of a rejuvenating trend, bringing international tastes to post-Wall Berlin. It also has a typical eckkneipe (local corner pub) vibe, with a mix of international beer freaks and hop-loving locals as its clientele. This modern-age bar is a reflection of Berlin’s changing times; a pub drenched with authentic spirit, offering a multitude of beer options for Berlin’s growing immigrant residents, while maintaining a Kreuzberg spirit, with classic decor and attitude. The owners make sure that, along with trending beers from overseas, its taps are also stocked with local brews such as Heidenpeters, BRLO, Rollberg and the like, highlighting the strengths of local, DIY brewers.