Neighbor's Beeradise
I had not been to Budapest in almost 10 years, until I came back to attend a Mark Langean gig in July last year. I was deeply surprised by how much the Hungarian capital has changed within a decade. It has turned into a completely hip city with trendy coffee shops, breakfast places, eateries and concept stores. As always, I had informed myself about places to find good beer and believe me, Budapest is full of those. I certainly did not have enough time to visit them all and neither did I manage so when I came back a good one and a half months later. I'll be back soon enough (Vienna and Budapest are basically neighbors; it is only a 12 euro and 3 hours bus ride between these two cities) and I cannot wait to taste myself through more bars and return to some of the good ones. Budapest certainly is a beeradise. The Hungarian craft beer scene is booming. Most pubs sell almost only domestic brews (at least on tap; bottled there is definitely a big international selection) and charge about 3-4 euros for a pint, which might probably expensive for Hungarian standards, but I believe still a great deal for craft beer. The price for a regular lager is about 2 euros, which is about half the price that you pay in Vienna for that. The Jewish district, just south of the vivid Király Street, offers a big concentration of craft beer places. They are all easy to reach within a few minutes by foot and thus present the great the opportunity for some craft beer bar hopping. I do not know why it is so hard to find Eastern European craft beer in Vienna, since the people in these countries brew excellent beers. The international craft beers you find in Vienna are mostly from the USA, UK, Belgium, Denmark or Germany. This is another reason, why I love Budapest so much, since I get the best local stuff there and beers that I haven’t tasted yet. In the meantime, my favorite Hungarian brewery, Mad Scientist, has opened its own funky laboratory bar in Budapest. I will be back in town in in a week, and this place will be an absolutely must-visit. If you are a craft beer fanatic from Vienna or anywhere close to Budapest, I highly recommend jumping onto the next bus and head there for weekend. I am sure that you will not be disappointed. Make sure to check out some of the following bars. This list is far from complete and there are already a lot of other places on my bucket list. Expect more pubs to appear on here after my upcoming stay in town.
LÉHŰTŐ KÉZMŰVES SÖRÖZŐ
This is the bar that I have been to the most in Budapest. While the location of Léhűtő - three minutes away from my hostel and only a few steps Király Street and the booming Gozsdu Court Yard in central Budapest - certainly contributed to me being there a lot, it definitely was not my main motivation to go there. First, they serve truly phenomenal beer and second the staff is one of the friendliest that I have come across. The pub is in a basement, but huge windows at street level still make it bright and grant you a look at what is happening outside. In summer, they have a nice little court with waited tables to sit, chat and drink outside. The crowd consists of both local people and tourists, however, despite being in the very heart of Budapest’s night-life with plenty of other bars, clubs, bistrots around, I have never met any of those sometimes annoying tourist groups that get blindlessly shit-faced. At Léhűtő, you will find some of the best beers the Hungarian craft brewers have produced. Seven different domestic draught beers show their dedication to the fantastic Hungarian artisan beer scene. The taps are changed regularly, often even on a daily basis and their fridge is filled with a great selection of bottles, both local and international. Depending on what you choose, tap beers are served in either 0.2l and 0.4l or 0.3l and 0.5 sizes. During my first trip to Budapest last summer, I discovered a brewery, which is still up to this day one of my absolutely favorites – Mad Scientist. I was thus stoked to read that Léhűtő had one of their creations on tap. It was an easy choice to start with their Puppet Master – a rich and flavorful Amber Ale. The next ones were the Halal Dry Stout by Hübris and the Rush 4 More DIPA by Horizont, both – of course – very different, but both extremely delicious. As said before, the staff is definitely another reason to go to Léhűtő. They seem to know about every domestic beer and will always recommend a great one for you. It did not happen once, that they picked some real treasures from the fridge and I liked every single one of them. On my friend’s and my last evening in Budapest, one of the guys gave us a shot of distilled beer that he produces himself. We had a Polaroid picture taken with my camera with the staff while were having these shots. When I came back to Budapest two months later, that photo was still clipped to the fridge and according to the photos uploaded on their Facebook it is there even now. It is kind of cool to have a permanent spot in my local bar in Budapest J. I was not only overwhelmed that they recognized me that second time in Hungary, but also that they seemed to remember which kind of beers I liked. Csuhai, one of the barmen, told me I had to try Hopfanatic’s Trance. Hopfanatic apparently was one of the first Hungarian craft breweries way before that whole wave started rolling. They had to close business at some point, but have now started brewing again and bringing new beers onto the market. That IPA was seriously outstanding. What I really liked about it was, that it is a very classic old school India Pale Ale. It does not try to bring any fancy or exotic flavors with it. It has a crisp golden color, it is very hoppy and despite its 7% very easy to drink. Altogether, I have so far spent four evenings at this bar. While it can be very crowded, I have also seen it with fewer people inside, which I sometimes prefer, since you have the possibility to talk to the people and really enjoy and taste the beer in front of you. I finished my last night in Budapest with the tapped Sugardaddy, a collab of Mad Scientist and Tuff Buzz. This imperial chocolate-mocha toffeed milk stout came up to a solid 11%. It was really amazing and the perfect beer to say good-bye. When I am back to Budapest in spring, Léhűtő will definitely one of the places I am looking forward to the most.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. They have an ever changing tap list. When I was there: Mad Scientist – Puppet Master, Mad Scientist – CCP 500 Coconut Porter, Horizont – Rush 4 More DIPA, Hübris – Halal Stout, Fourpure Brewing Co - Shape Shifter (West Coast IPA,can), Synthesis – Eastern Wolf (IPA, bottle), Hopfanatic – Trance, Hopfanatic - Insomnia
FOOD. I never ate there, but they have a big tapas menu. Also, the burgers looked really nice.
OPENING HOURS. Sun – Mon: 4pm – midnight. Tue – Thu: 4pm – 2am. Fri and Sat: 4pm – 4am.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M1/M2/M3 Deák Ferenc ter.
ADDRESS. Holló utca 12-14, 1076 Budapest
Facebook
ÉLESZTŐHÁZ
Élesztő is definitely unique. This outdoor beer hall is a world-class bar and one of the most interesting and best ones I have been drinking at. It will make every beer lover’s heart skip a couple of beats before starting to pound faster than ever. If you did not know where it was, you would probably never come across this nondescript side street, in which Élesztő is located. A big wooden door with a sign above leads into a true urban oasis. The whole area that makes up Élesztő immediately reminds one of a spiced up and modern version of the many ruin pubs Budapest is famous for. I love that there is so much in one place. In a huge courtyard guests do not only have the possibility to consume delicious craft beer from 21 different taps, they can also order food in a separate kitchen, a juice bar offers fresh smoothies and a little bistro for coffee, cakes and pies can also be found there. Soon, they will be opening up a separate bar within this complex that is dedicated to cask ale and real ale exclusively. I hope it will be opened already next time I am I town. It wasn’t until my second visit there when I realized that there is also a hostel located inside that building. Bicycles are hanging around, willow trees provide shadow on hot summer days, the walls are graced by ivy and empty beer barrels are stapled upon each other in the corners. In the middle of the courtyard, everyone gets together to chill at one of the many tables under the skeletal structure of a roof. What fascinated me the most was of course the beer. The choice of Hungarian craft beer is seemingly endless. A huge blackboard above the bar displays the draught options and almost all of them are brewed within Hungarian borders. The selection covers a majority of the different beer styles with IPAs and APAs being dominant. Since I’d never had Hungarian craft beer before (Élesztő was the first place I went to in Budapest – and it is almost impossible to find brews from Hungary in Vienna), I did not have a clue about any of the breweries. 59 Times by Bázis will always be the very first Hungarian craft beer I ever had. It was a classic American Pale Ale without too much fuzz. It was not too bitter, it had a full body, it definitely had a citrus aroma and it was very flavorful. It was a very good choice to start the Hungarian beerventure with. The beer I liked the most there though, was the Son Of A Bitch by Hara’Punk. It’s an Imperial IPA with an easy 8.5% and extremely delicious. If you ever come across this beer somewhere, first order it and second let me know! But be careful, that son of a bitch can really fuck you up. I’d recommend not going larger than 0.3l. It has a beautiful golden color, it is moderately sweet and a big amount of different flavor with tropical fruits and honey being the most distinct ones. A beer trip to Budapest would not be complete without going to Élesztő. I have been there three times altogether so far, at night, during the day and in the early evening and it does not make a difference at which time of the day you are there. There will always be great people to talk to and there will always be fantastic beer. I am already looking forward to what they will have on tap when I will be there later in April. Beware though, they do not accept plastic, it is cash only.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Taps change. Beers might not be on tap anymore, some might be on tap again. Hara’Punk – Sun of A Bitch, Mad Scientist x Yeast Wörks – Duke Of Budapest NEIPA, Keser – Kolbri IPA, Yeast Wörks – Propaganda (Lager), Gólem – Repeta APA, Kaltenecker – Chopper IPA (Slovakia), Bázis – 59 times.
FOOD. They make amazing BBQ stuff at the butcher’s kitchen. Burgers, ribs, sausages, etc. The pastrami sandwich is amazing. You will also get smaller plates or tapas.
OPENING HOURS. Mon –Sun: 3am – 3pm.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M3 Corvin-negyed
ADDRESS. Tűzoltó utca 22, 1094 Budapest
Webpage
Facebook
JÓNÁS CRAFT BEER HOUSE
Jónás will always have a special place in my heart. It was the bar where I had one of the best beers I have ever had – and probably will ever have – for the first time. I have mentioned this beer and this brewery a couple of times on here already. Yes, it is a Mad Scientist brew. The Mango Bay is just pure awesomeness, but more on that later. The glass surface of the Bálna building just off the Liberty Bridge can be spotted from a long distance already, especially if you take a walk alongside the Danube. This whale-shaped structure is one of the newest attractions in the city and serves as a shopping, entertainment and cultural center. Along the riverbank side of the building you come across plenty of bars, cafés and restaurants – the cherry on top of the cake though is Jónás Craft Beer House basically in the head of the “whale” at the very end of the building. Jónás Kézműves Sörház, as is its official Hungarian name, is not only a craft beer bar, but also a brew pub. They make their own beers under the brewery’s name of Reketye. A terrace with dozens of tables and sunshades outside of the bar are inviting you to stop there and take a break. In the summer months (I have always been there in that period), there is a pop-up bar outside with roughly 6 beers on tap, all different to the over 10 other ones that you can order inside the actual pub. The tap menu consists of a good mixture of both own brewed beers and other domestic guest brews. The big platform outside is where most bar life takes place in summer. They do have quite many tables inside and upstairs as well and I am pretty sure that in winter these will all be occupied, but when it is warm it is much more enjoyable to take your beers outside. The view on the river, the bridges and the hills on the other side of the city is way too beautiful. This bar has probably one of the most stunning vistas. Reketye makes fantastic beers. We had a couple of their cans before, which we bought at the eatery next to our hostel, but on tap they tasted of course a lot fresher. My favorite beers of Reketye were the Philosospher, an APA of 6.5%, the hazy and fruity Love Session NEIPA and the Dark Lager a classic Prague-style Schwarzbier. And then there was Mad Scientist’s Mango Bay a.ka. Mango Milkshake Pale Ale. This beer is so unbelievable good. The color already is mango-yellowish and the smell just beautiful. But that is nothing compared to the taste. The beery, fruity character makes you travel far away to a tropical paradise. I think everyone I talked to who has tried that beer loves it. This is not just nostalgia speaking here, I have had this beer on several occasions afterwards as well (on tap and bottled) and every time it was as good again as when I had it there at Jónás. Reketye has recently teamed up with Mad Scientist for a collaboration brew which I cannot wait for to taste. I think Jónás is the perfect place for a few afternoon pivos in the sun. Apart from great beer and a fantastic view they also offer really good street food, especially the burgers are excellent. The atmosphere is all chill, the guests are both Hungarians and tourists that come by and the staff is friendly. The prices vary on the beers and they pretty much average the Budapest craft beer prices. Jónás is by any means a place I will come back to next time I am in town.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Mad Scientist – Mango Bay (they said they have it quite regularly on tap, so there is a good chance, that they pour it when you’re there), Reketye – Philosopher, Reketye – Love Session NEIPA, Reketye – Dark Lager, Reketye – Ravasz Hód (Hazelnut Brown Ale), Brew Your Mind – Yellow Haze APA
FOOD. The burgers are delightful. You can choose from 6 or 7 different versions. I highly recommend the beef heaven, that comes along with a patty topped with pulled beef.
OPENING HOURS. Mon – Thu. 11am – midnight. Fri and Sat. 11 am – 2am. Sun: 11am – 11pm.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M4 Fővám tér
ADDRESS. Fővám tér 11, 1093 Budapest
Webpage
Facebook
Reketye
Facebook Reketye
CSAK A JÓ SÖR
Hungarian for sure is a difficult language. I have absolutely no idea, how to pronounce this name and I’ve always had troubles remembering it, so I kept calling this place “Jack”. Please excuse this cacography. Csak A Jó Sör has been around since 2008 and is a hybrid of a bottle shop and a bar. It is some kind of craft beer pioneer and it can be found in most Budapest beer guides. The shop windows are huge and filled to the top with beer bottles, cans, barrels and boxes. It seems like every beer they have ever sold there is displayed there (probably not though, since this would take up way more space J). The name translates to “Only Good Beer” and they certainly live up to that. They have six different craft beers on tap, divided evenly into domestic and foreign brews. The bottle selection is enormous, although, not all of them are cooled in the fridge. It is a shop after all, as well. There are a few high table inside and in another corner there is an old leather couch. Csak A Jó Sör is packed with all kind of different stuff, there is a fan in one corner, the empty beer bottles lined up on a shelve abvoe your head and beer crates are stapled upon each other. The walls are plastered with posters of beers, rock bands and concerts that took place in Budapest even years ago. On the other side of the place, there is the bottle shop. They have exquisite choices of both Hungarian and international beers. I ordered a beer at the bar and wandered along the shelves checking out the bottles while sipping on my freshly tapped Deepthroat Irish Bitchies. It was a Foreign Stout by local A.O. (armando_otchoa) and in my opinion a must-try if you come along it. It tasted like roasted nuts combined with chocolate, toffee and a bit of licorice. The bottles and cans are divided by international brews and Hungarian beers on in separate sections. And then in between all these treasures of Evil Twin, Hopping Frog, Sawdust City, Edge Brewing, Mad Scientist, Horizont and many, many more something caught my eyes and my mouth dropped. I spotted the Omnipollo x Buxton collab Orginal Ice Cream Pale Ale. I’ve been in love with this beer ever since I had it in Barcelona. I did not know when I would have the chance to get it again, so I bought up their remaining stock of 5 bottles to take home and one last bottle in the fridge to consume there. How to bring all the beers on the bus would be a different story, but I could not care less at this point. The Omnipollo was just too good. I really love the coziness and familiarity of Csak A Jó Sör. It does not feel like being in a bar, rather like drinking in a living room. The guy running “Jack” is a walking beercyclopedia. He knew – and I would not be surprised, if also tasted – every beer I mentioned to him. You can tell that beer is his big passion and Csak A Jó Sör is his little baby. It is not just a business. He actually really wants the people to like the beers that they are buying and to feel comfortable there. It is important that there honest and independent places like this one. I highly recommend paying Csak A Jó Sör a visit when you are in Budapest. It is just a little beer fairyland – but one that’s real.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. A.O – Deepthroat Irish Bitchies, A.O. – Freaky Wheaty Grabanc (Wheat IPA), Brew Your Mind – Yellow Haze APA, Omnipollo x Buxton – Original Ice Cream Pale Ale. They have a fridge filled with bottles. You can consume some chilled ones directly there as well.
FOOD. No food is served.
OPENING HOURS. Mon-Sat: 2pm – 9pm.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M1 Oktogon
ADDRESS. Kertész utca 42-44, 1073 Budapest
Webpage
Facebook
HOPS BEER BAR
If you want to drink international craft beers, Hops Beer Bar is the place to go for. Hops is literally around the corner from Start in the heart of Budapest’s night life district. The entrance of the pub is rather small. It consists only of a glass door and is not broader than front entrance of an apartment building. A black sign with a white hop cone indicates that you’ve come along the right place for beer. Hops is all about beer. The walls of the pub are covered with thousands coasters of breweries and pubs from all around the globe, which the two brothers who founded Hops Beer Bar personally collected and manually stuck on piece by piece. All the different colors of these beermats make the pub look extremely cheerful. The ceilings are covered in canvas sacks that used to contain the hops. There is so much love in this place. I talked to one of the owners and he told me that even the furniture had been all carpentered by themselves. Hops offers 9 different rotating international craft brews on tap aiming to cover most of the beer styles. Amongst breweries such as Põhjala, Brewdog, Kasteel or Holba (Czech Rep), there is always one Hungarian beer in the line, as well. When I was there, they were pouring the fantastic Peach Please IPA by Brew Your Mind. It is very hoppy and bitter with notes of tropical and citrus fruits on the one hand, and then the sweet peachy flavor came out on the other one. It is amazingly balanced, a world-class beer and in my opinion one of the best Hungarian IPAs I’ve had. What’s even more impressing than the taps, however, is the huge selection of bottled craft beer stored in 4 large fridges behind the bar. Here, there is a big focus on British and Belgian beers. The choices of Brewdog, for example, were gigantic. My favorite bottled beer though was without any doubt from another Scottish brewery: Tempest Brewing Co. I could not believe how delicious the Unforgiven Red Rye was. Labelled as a “Beer For Cowboys” it is packed with flavors of spicy rye and smoky bacon and has a smooth finish of a British Red Ale. It is a really mind blowing beer and a bottle of that for sure had to go into my backpack to take home. So far, Hops Beer Bar has been the only place where I’ve seen this beer. The pub also has an upstairs area, but if possible, I’d recommend staying downstairs. It is much cozier there and you can suck in the bar atmosphere better. Since the bar is all about beer, they decided to not serve any wine. However, there is an arrangement with next door’s wine bar that guests can bring the wine glasses into hops. This way, also groups which include people that don’t like beer can come to Hops and everyone will feel comfortable there. Hops is definitely on my list of bars to return to in Budapest, and I encourage everyone to check it out as well.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Tempest – Unforgiven Red Rye, Tempest – Red Eye Flight, Brew Your Mind – Peach Please , Holba – Premium Lager, Põhjala – Must Kuld Colombia, Brewdog – Elvis Juice.
FOOD. I did not see any food there. It is beer only. But there are plenty of food choices around. Especially the Street Food Karaván next to Szimpla is recommendable. Lots of different street food trucks.
OPENING HOURS. Mon – Thu: 5pm – 2am. Fri and Sat: 5pm – 3am.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M2 Astoria, M2 Blaha Lujza tér
ADDRESS. Wesselényi utca 13, 1077 Budapest
Facebook
START – CRAFT BEER BAR
Only a few walking minutes away from Léhűtő is Start. It is located right next to the famous Szimpla Kert ruin bar – one of the most famous bars in Budapest. A red STOP sign, with the last two letters overwritten with “ART” and the words “craft beer bar” below lets you know what to expect at this pub. Start is quite small and the interior rather simple, which makes it pretty much the opposite of its huge neighbor. The tap list consists of a collection of six different local brews which take you on a journey through all different beer styles. Lagers, wheats and IPAs can be ordered, as well as sour beers or British style ales. I started with Bigfoot’s Silver Street, a regular Wheat Ale and perfect on a warm summer evening. I very much enjoyed my next choice, which was the Napalm Chili Old Ale brewed by Hedon. It had a reddish color and bit of an oily texture. It definitely had some spicy notes, which, however, did not overwhelm you, but rather gave you a slight after burn. Also the bottles in the fridge are very well sorted and stock some of the best local beers, such as the Sötét Bunkó Black IPA by Golém. It has an incredibly smooth smoky note and is really rich in flavor. I am really into Cascadians and this sure was a great one. Start’s manager is really nice and a good chat. He is probably the biggest Hungarian Green Bay Packers fan and pictures of Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre and other team apparel make up a certain amount of the bar’s decoration. It is always fun to meet people and talk football J. One of Start’s highlights definitely is its “beer garden”. I talked to the manager and he told me it was forbidden by Budapest’s authorities to arrange tables and chairs outside, since the street was too small. Smart as he is, he found a loop hole to get around this law and locked an old tricycle to one of the street lamps just outside his bar. Between the back wheels he installed a large barrel and on top with a metal plate on top of it and voilá, there is your table, which officially is not a table, but still a vehicle. Sneaky. And, on top of that completely legal (photo). It was the perfect spot to enjoy the Zodiak Red IPA by the fantastic Synthesis brewery and watch the people pass by on the street or queuing to get into Szimpla. I’d certainly recommend stopping by Start if you are around. It probably is not the place to spend the whole night at, but a fantastic place to have a few great beers before moving on.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Bigfoot – Silver Street, Hedon – Napalm Chili Old Ale, Synthesis – Zodiak, Gólem – Sötét Bunkó (Black IPA), Gólem – Hopochonder IPA
FOOD. No food. But just go next door to the Street Food Karaván. Lots of different street food trucks.
OPENING HOURS. Sun – Wed: 5pm – midnight. Thu: 5pm – 2am. Fri and Sat: 5pm – 4am.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M2 Astoria, M2 Blaha Lujza tér
ADDRESS. Kazinczy utca 20, 1076 Budapest
Facebook
BESTIA
Bestia is probably the most central place of them all. It can be found directly at the square of the famous Szent Istvan Bazilika in downtown Budapest. The view of course is unique and everyone that loves watching people (like I do) will have a blast there. Potted trees and bushes provide some distance and separate the guests a bit from the masses of tourists that are at this square at any hour of the day. Bestia is not a pure craft beer bar, but rather a café/restaurant. The drinks menu is quite extensive and covers craft beers (draught and bottled), wines, spritzers, creative cocktails, a good amount of high quality gins and tonic waters to mix and match and spirits. At Bestia, they are also experimenting with craft beer cocktails, something I have especially seen coming up in Barcelona. Interesting combinations are the Hilly Billy which is made of Gin, bitter lemon syrup, orange, lemon and an IPA or the Dead Man Walking that is mixed with an amaro, mint and a stout. A friend of mine had the PinAPAle – rum, pineapple juice and the citrusy Horizont APA. To be I do not think that I will ever be the biggest fan of these – I prefer plain beer – but I do see the potential in it, especially on warm summer days. The tap list consists of 11 mostly local artisanal ales and covers pretty much all essential beer styles. My Hungarian favorites Mad Scientist were also on the list with the Saison 15 and the Duke of Budapest NEIPA, a collab with Yeast Wörks. Another really fantastic brew was the Távoli Galaxis IPA by Roth Beer from just outside Budapest. The tap beers are being served in jam jars, something I have not seen outside of America, yet. Bestia is definitely a very modern bar. I would call it hipster chic. Because of the big variety of drinks, Bestia is a place not only for beer lovers. I know that not everyone is into beers and of those who are not everyone is into craft beers, so Bestia will be a good choice for a broader audience and and place you can go to with a group of people with different drinking habits and interest. The prices are a little bit higher than in other places, but considering the location of Bestia it is not that bad. I could not leave the place without having tried a bottle of another of Mad Scientist’s flagship beers. During the course of my first visit, I have heard a lot about the Jam72, a West Coast Imperial IPA. And yes, it was amazing!
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Mad Scientist – Saison 15, Mad Scientist x Yeast Wörks – Duke Of Budapest, Roth Beer – Tavóli Galaxis, Hoptop – Green Zone IPA, Horizont – APA
FOOD. Big food menu. Soups, starters, salads, burgers, steaks, other main dishes, desserts.
OPENING HOURS. Sun – Wed: 12pm – midnight. Thu – Sat: 12pm – 2am
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M1 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky
ADDRESS. Szent István tér 9, 1051
Webpage
Facebook
KRAK’N TOWN STEAMPUNK SALOON
Krak’n Town is one crazy place. Its dedication to steampunk is perfected to the last little detail. Coming into Krak’n Town makes you feel like you just became the protagonist of an H.G. Wells novel and were tele transported into his futuristic vision of back then Victorian London. Inside it seems like the pubs has travelled back and forth in time not only once, but multiple numbers, which is also reflected in the foundation year of 2316. The design consists of classic steampunk elements, such as metallic steam pipes, boost controllers and bull’s eye windows that must come straight from Jules Verne’s “Nautilus” – all these engineering gadgets can be found all over the place, including the restrooms. There are hot air balloons and the gondolas hanging from the ceilings, abstract metallic krakens are everywhere – on the ceiling, on the walls and on the outside façade, giving the pub its name. The staff is wearing uniforms and wearing leather steampunk googles. Fans of the golden and classic era of science fiction will certainly love that place. On the other hand, Krakn’n Town has distinct elements of a classic British pub such as a red-carpeted floor, several booths and old school lampshades. On top of all this, Krak’n Town serves amazing craft beer, some of which are self-brewed. They have a tap list of 9 beers, which – how else could it be – are running through lines which are covered by steampipes. Three of those draught options are Krak’n brews. During my visit, these were an IPA, a Pils and a sour cherry ale called Madame Rubynk. The other beers are mostly top-notch domestic brews, such as Feher Nyúl, Bázis or Vaskakas, but very often they also pour Mad Scientist, Horizont or Monyo. I really liked Krak’n IPA, which is a very classic British India Pale Ale, very hoppy and bitter and pours a beautiful golden color. 2 taps are reserved for international beers, in my case one of them was the exquisite Leffe Brun on nitro. I really love this beer, but never had it nitro-tapped before. That was a totally different experience and super delicious. Drinking at Krak’n Town was a whole new happening to me. This place is wonderfully weird, I would not know how to describe it better.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Krak’n Town – Krak’n IPA, Krak’n Twown – Madame Rubynk, Vasakas – Johnny B. Good APA, Bázis – Bergamia Wit, Feher Nyúl – RAFA sour ale
FOOD. Proper British pub food. Pies, burgers, fish and chips, scotch eggs, haggis.
OPENING HOURS. Mon – Fri: 4pm – 1am. Sat and Sun: 1pm – 1am.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M4 Rákóczi tér
ADDRESS. József krt. 31a, 1085 Budapest
Webpage
Facebook
CRAFT BEER STORES
BEERODALOM
Only a few minutes’ walk away from Krak’n Town will lead you to Beerodalom. It is located in a small side street of Joszef Boulevard in central Budapest. This little shop for craft beers and ciders is really awesome. It is about the size of a living room, but they have a fantastic selection of beers from Hungary and many other countries. It was in fact there, where I realized how large the number of Hungarian craft breweries really is. They easily have beers from 30 different domestic breweries. The bottles are displayed on big metallic shelves and they have everything that a beer heart could wish for. My highlight was the over a dozen of different brews by Mad Scientist including the Mango Bay. Next to these, Beerodalom is selling Monyo, Horizont, Hopfanatic, Reketye, Bázis, Hara’Punk, Hübris and many more that I cannot even remember. Also those people that are looking for international beers will find a lot to choose from. Some beers are cooled in a fridge and you can drink them in the store while talking to the guy. He is a really cool chat and is also engaged in home brewing. Speaking of home brewing, you will find everything you need for that at Beerodalom, as well. Huge sacks of hops and malts are standing around on the floor. All the equipment such as fermenting buckets, bottle fillers, tubes, thermometers, hydrometer, bottle cappers can be purchased there as well. I really loved that store and my backpack was filled with good stuff to bring back home when I left. I definitely want to get back there at some point with the car and load up my trunk with good Hungarian beer.
OPENING HOURS. Mon – Fri: 3pm – 9pm, Sat: 10am – 4pm. Sunday: 10am – noon.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M4 Rákóczi tér
ADDRESS. Kis Salétrom u. 2, 1085 Budapest
Webpage and Webshop
Facebook
LÉHŰTŐ KÉZMŰVES SÖRÖZŐ
This is the bar that I have been to the most in Budapest. While the location of Léhűtő - three minutes away from my hostel and only a few steps Király Street and the booming Gozsdu Court Yard in central Budapest - certainly contributed to me being there a lot, it definitely was not my main motivation to go there. First, they serve truly phenomenal beer and second the staff is one of the friendliest that I have come across. The pub is in a basement, but huge windows at street level still make it bright and grant you a look at what is happening outside. In summer, they have a nice little court with waited tables to sit, chat and drink outside. The crowd consists of both local people and tourists, however, despite being in the very heart of Budapest’s night-life with plenty of other bars, clubs, bistrots around, I have never met any of those sometimes annoying tourist groups that get blindlessly shit-faced. At Léhűtő, you will find some of the best beers the Hungarian craft brewers have produced. Seven different domestic draught beers show their dedication to the fantastic Hungarian artisan beer scene. The taps are changed regularly, often even on a daily basis and their fridge is filled with a great selection of bottles, both local and international. Depending on what you choose, tap beers are served in either 0.2l and 0.4l or 0.3l and 0.5 sizes. During my first trip to Budapest last summer, I discovered a brewery, which is still up to this day one of my absolutely favorites – Mad Scientist. I was thus stoked to read that Léhűtő had one of their creations on tap. It was an easy choice to start with their Puppet Master – a rich and flavorful Amber Ale. The next ones were the Halal Dry Stout by Hübris and the Rush 4 More DIPA by Horizont, both – of course – very different, but both extremely delicious. As said before, the staff is definitely another reason to go to Léhűtő. They seem to know about every domestic beer and will always recommend a great one for you. It did not happen once, that they picked some real treasures from the fridge and I liked every single one of them. On my friend’s and my last evening in Budapest, one of the guys gave us a shot of distilled beer that he produces himself. We had a Polaroid picture taken with my camera with the staff while were having these shots. When I came back to Budapest two months later, that photo was still clipped to the fridge and according to the photos uploaded on their Facebook it is there even now. It is kind of cool to have a permanent spot in my local bar in Budapest J. I was not only overwhelmed that they recognized me that second time in Hungary, but also that they seemed to remember which kind of beers I liked. Csuhai, one of the barmen, told me I had to try Hopfanatic’s Trance. Hopfanatic apparently was one of the first Hungarian craft breweries way before that whole wave started rolling. They had to close business at some point, but have now started brewing again and bringing new beers onto the market. That IPA was seriously outstanding. What I really liked about it was, that it is a very classic old school India Pale Ale. It does not try to bring any fancy or exotic flavors with it. It has a crisp golden color, it is very hoppy and despite its 7% very easy to drink. Altogether, I have so far spent four evenings at this bar. While it can be very crowded, I have also seen it with fewer people inside, which I sometimes prefer, since you have the possibility to talk to the people and really enjoy and taste the beer in front of you. I finished my last night in Budapest with the tapped Sugardaddy, a collab of Mad Scientist and Tuff Buzz. This imperial chocolate-mocha toffeed milk stout came up to a solid 11%. It was really amazing and the perfect beer to say good-bye. When I am back to Budapest in spring, Léhűtő will definitely one of the places I am looking forward to the most.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. They have an ever changing tap list. When I was there: Mad Scientist – Puppet Master, Mad Scientist – CCP 500 Coconut Porter, Horizont – Rush 4 More DIPA, Hübris – Halal Stout, Fourpure Brewing Co - Shape Shifter (West Coast IPA,can), Synthesis – Eastern Wolf (IPA, bottle), Hopfanatic – Trance, Hopfanatic - Insomnia
FOOD. I never ate there, but they have a big tapas menu. Also, the burgers looked really nice.
OPENING HOURS. Sun – Mon: 4pm – midnight. Tue – Thu: 4pm – 2am. Fri and Sat: 4pm – 4am.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M1/M2/M3 Deák Ferenc ter.
ADDRESS. Holló utca 12-14, 1076 Budapest
ÉLESZTŐHÁZ
Élesztő is definitely unique. This outdoor beer hall is a world-class bar and one of the most interesting and best ones I have been drinking at. It will make every beer lover’s heart skip a couple of beats before starting to pound faster than ever. If you did not know where it was, you would probably never come across this nondescript side street, in which Élesztő is located. A big wooden door with a sign above leads into a true urban oasis. The whole area that makes up Élesztő immediately reminds one of a spiced up and modern version of the many ruin pubs Budapest is famous for. I love that there is so much in one place. In a huge courtyard guests do not only have the possibility to consume delicious craft beer from 21 different taps, they can also order food in a separate kitchen, a juice bar offers fresh smoothies and a little bistro for coffee, cakes and pies can also be found there. Soon, they will be opening up a separate bar within this complex that is dedicated to cask ale and real ale exclusively. I hope it will be opened already next time I am I town. It wasn’t until my second visit there when I realized that there is also a hostel located inside that building. Bicycles are hanging around, willow trees provide shadow on hot summer days, the walls are graced by ivy and empty beer barrels are stapled upon each other in the corners. In the middle of the courtyard, everyone gets together to chill at one of the many tables under the skeletal structure of a roof. What fascinated me the most was of course the beer. The choice of Hungarian craft beer is seemingly endless. A huge blackboard above the bar displays the draught options and almost all of them are brewed within Hungarian borders. The selection covers a majority of the different beer styles with IPAs and APAs being dominant. Since I’d never had Hungarian craft beer before (Élesztő was the first place I went to in Budapest – and it is almost impossible to find brews from Hungary in Vienna), I did not have a clue about any of the breweries. 59 Times by Bázis will always be the very first Hungarian craft beer I ever had. It was a classic American Pale Ale without too much fuzz. It was not too bitter, it had a full body, it definitely had a citrus aroma and it was very flavorful. It was a very good choice to start the Hungarian beerventure with. The beer I liked the most there though, was the Son Of A Bitch by Hara’Punk. It’s an Imperial IPA with an easy 8.5% and extremely delicious. If you ever come across this beer somewhere, first order it and second let me know! But be careful, that son of a bitch can really fuck you up. I’d recommend not going larger than 0.3l. It has a beautiful golden color, it is moderately sweet and a big amount of different flavor with tropical fruits and honey being the most distinct ones. A beer trip to Budapest would not be complete without going to Élesztő. I have been there three times altogether so far, at night, during the day and in the early evening and it does not make a difference at which time of the day you are there. There will always be great people to talk to and there will always be fantastic beer. I am already looking forward to what they will have on tap when I will be there later in April. Beware though, they do not accept plastic, it is cash only.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Taps change. Beers might not be on tap anymore, some might be on tap again. Hara’Punk – Sun of A Bitch, Mad Scientist x Yeast Wörks – Duke Of Budapest NEIPA, Keser – Kolbri IPA, Yeast Wörks – Propaganda (Lager), Gólem – Repeta APA, Kaltenecker – Chopper IPA (Slovakia), Bázis – 59 times.
FOOD. They make amazing BBQ stuff at the butcher’s kitchen. Burgers, ribs, sausages, etc. The pastrami sandwich is amazing. You will also get smaller plates or tapas.
OPENING HOURS. Mon –Sun: 3am – 3pm.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M3 Corvin-negyed
ADDRESS. Tűzoltó utca 22, 1094 Budapest
Webpage
JÓNÁS CRAFT BEER HOUSE
Jónás will always have a special place in my heart. It was the bar where I had one of the best beers I have ever had – and probably will ever have – for the first time. I have mentioned this beer and this brewery a couple of times on here already. Yes, it is a Mad Scientist brew. The Mango Bay is just pure awesomeness, but more on that later. The glass surface of the Bálna building just off the Liberty Bridge can be spotted from a long distance already, especially if you take a walk alongside the Danube. This whale-shaped structure is one of the newest attractions in the city and serves as a shopping, entertainment and cultural center. Along the riverbank side of the building you come across plenty of bars, cafés and restaurants – the cherry on top of the cake though is Jónás Craft Beer House basically in the head of the “whale” at the very end of the building. Jónás Kézműves Sörház, as is its official Hungarian name, is not only a craft beer bar, but also a brew pub. They make their own beers under the brewery’s name of Reketye. A terrace with dozens of tables and sunshades outside of the bar are inviting you to stop there and take a break. In the summer months (I have always been there in that period), there is a pop-up bar outside with roughly 6 beers on tap, all different to the over 10 other ones that you can order inside the actual pub. The tap menu consists of a good mixture of both own brewed beers and other domestic guest brews. The big platform outside is where most bar life takes place in summer. They do have quite many tables inside and upstairs as well and I am pretty sure that in winter these will all be occupied, but when it is warm it is much more enjoyable to take your beers outside. The view on the river, the bridges and the hills on the other side of the city is way too beautiful. This bar has probably one of the most stunning vistas. Reketye makes fantastic beers. We had a couple of their cans before, which we bought at the eatery next to our hostel, but on tap they tasted of course a lot fresher. My favorite beers of Reketye were the Philosospher, an APA of 6.5%, the hazy and fruity Love Session NEIPA and the Dark Lager a classic Prague-style Schwarzbier. And then there was Mad Scientist’s Mango Bay a.ka. Mango Milkshake Pale Ale. This beer is so unbelievable good. The color already is mango-yellowish and the smell just beautiful. But that is nothing compared to the taste. The beery, fruity character makes you travel far away to a tropical paradise. I think everyone I talked to who has tried that beer loves it. This is not just nostalgia speaking here, I have had this beer on several occasions afterwards as well (on tap and bottled) and every time it was as good again as when I had it there at Jónás. Reketye has recently teamed up with Mad Scientist for a collaboration brew which I cannot wait for to taste. I think Jónás is the perfect place for a few afternoon pivos in the sun. Apart from great beer and a fantastic view they also offer really good street food, especially the burgers are excellent. The atmosphere is all chill, the guests are both Hungarians and tourists that come by and the staff is friendly. The prices vary on the beers and they pretty much average the Budapest craft beer prices. Jónás is by any means a place I will come back to next time I am in town.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Mad Scientist – Mango Bay (they said they have it quite regularly on tap, so there is a good chance, that they pour it when you’re there), Reketye – Philosopher, Reketye – Love Session NEIPA, Reketye – Dark Lager, Reketye – Ravasz Hód (Hazelnut Brown Ale), Brew Your Mind – Yellow Haze APA
FOOD. The burgers are delightful. You can choose from 6 or 7 different versions. I highly recommend the beef heaven, that comes along with a patty topped with pulled beef.
OPENING HOURS. Mon – Thu. 11am – midnight. Fri and Sat. 11 am – 2am. Sun: 11am – 11pm.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M4 Fővám tér
ADDRESS. Fővám tér 11, 1093 Budapest
Webpage
Reketye
Facebook Reketye
CSAK A JÓ SÖR
Hungarian for sure is a difficult language. I have absolutely no idea, how to pronounce this name and I’ve always had troubles remembering it, so I kept calling this place “Jack”. Please excuse this cacography. Csak A Jó Sör has been around since 2008 and is a hybrid of a bottle shop and a bar. It is some kind of craft beer pioneer and it can be found in most Budapest beer guides. The shop windows are huge and filled to the top with beer bottles, cans, barrels and boxes. It seems like every beer they have ever sold there is displayed there (probably not though, since this would take up way more space J). The name translates to “Only Good Beer” and they certainly live up to that. They have six different craft beers on tap, divided evenly into domestic and foreign brews. The bottle selection is enormous, although, not all of them are cooled in the fridge. It is a shop after all, as well. There are a few high table inside and in another corner there is an old leather couch. Csak A Jó Sör is packed with all kind of different stuff, there is a fan in one corner, the empty beer bottles lined up on a shelve abvoe your head and beer crates are stapled upon each other. The walls are plastered with posters of beers, rock bands and concerts that took place in Budapest even years ago. On the other side of the place, there is the bottle shop. They have exquisite choices of both Hungarian and international beers. I ordered a beer at the bar and wandered along the shelves checking out the bottles while sipping on my freshly tapped Deepthroat Irish Bitchies. It was a Foreign Stout by local A.O. (armando_otchoa) and in my opinion a must-try if you come along it. It tasted like roasted nuts combined with chocolate, toffee and a bit of licorice. The bottles and cans are divided by international brews and Hungarian beers on in separate sections. And then in between all these treasures of Evil Twin, Hopping Frog, Sawdust City, Edge Brewing, Mad Scientist, Horizont and many, many more something caught my eyes and my mouth dropped. I spotted the Omnipollo x Buxton collab Orginal Ice Cream Pale Ale. I’ve been in love with this beer ever since I had it in Barcelona. I did not know when I would have the chance to get it again, so I bought up their remaining stock of 5 bottles to take home and one last bottle in the fridge to consume there. How to bring all the beers on the bus would be a different story, but I could not care less at this point. The Omnipollo was just too good. I really love the coziness and familiarity of Csak A Jó Sör. It does not feel like being in a bar, rather like drinking in a living room. The guy running “Jack” is a walking beercyclopedia. He knew – and I would not be surprised, if also tasted – every beer I mentioned to him. You can tell that beer is his big passion and Csak A Jó Sör is his little baby. It is not just a business. He actually really wants the people to like the beers that they are buying and to feel comfortable there. It is important that there honest and independent places like this one. I highly recommend paying Csak A Jó Sör a visit when you are in Budapest. It is just a little beer fairyland – but one that’s real.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. A.O – Deepthroat Irish Bitchies, A.O. – Freaky Wheaty Grabanc (Wheat IPA), Brew Your Mind – Yellow Haze APA, Omnipollo x Buxton – Original Ice Cream Pale Ale. They have a fridge filled with bottles. You can consume some chilled ones directly there as well.
FOOD. No food is served.
OPENING HOURS. Mon-Sat: 2pm – 9pm.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M1 Oktogon
ADDRESS. Kertész utca 42-44, 1073 Budapest
Webpage
HOPS BEER BAR
If you want to drink international craft beers, Hops Beer Bar is the place to go for. Hops is literally around the corner from Start in the heart of Budapest’s night life district. The entrance of the pub is rather small. It consists only of a glass door and is not broader than front entrance of an apartment building. A black sign with a white hop cone indicates that you’ve come along the right place for beer. Hops is all about beer. The walls of the pub are covered with thousands coasters of breweries and pubs from all around the globe, which the two brothers who founded Hops Beer Bar personally collected and manually stuck on piece by piece. All the different colors of these beermats make the pub look extremely cheerful. The ceilings are covered in canvas sacks that used to contain the hops. There is so much love in this place. I talked to one of the owners and he told me that even the furniture had been all carpentered by themselves. Hops offers 9 different rotating international craft brews on tap aiming to cover most of the beer styles. Amongst breweries such as Põhjala, Brewdog, Kasteel or Holba (Czech Rep), there is always one Hungarian beer in the line, as well. When I was there, they were pouring the fantastic Peach Please IPA by Brew Your Mind. It is very hoppy and bitter with notes of tropical and citrus fruits on the one hand, and then the sweet peachy flavor came out on the other one. It is amazingly balanced, a world-class beer and in my opinion one of the best Hungarian IPAs I’ve had. What’s even more impressing than the taps, however, is the huge selection of bottled craft beer stored in 4 large fridges behind the bar. Here, there is a big focus on British and Belgian beers. The choices of Brewdog, for example, were gigantic. My favorite bottled beer though was without any doubt from another Scottish brewery: Tempest Brewing Co. I could not believe how delicious the Unforgiven Red Rye was. Labelled as a “Beer For Cowboys” it is packed with flavors of spicy rye and smoky bacon and has a smooth finish of a British Red Ale. It is a really mind blowing beer and a bottle of that for sure had to go into my backpack to take home. So far, Hops Beer Bar has been the only place where I’ve seen this beer. The pub also has an upstairs area, but if possible, I’d recommend staying downstairs. It is much cozier there and you can suck in the bar atmosphere better. Since the bar is all about beer, they decided to not serve any wine. However, there is an arrangement with next door’s wine bar that guests can bring the wine glasses into hops. This way, also groups which include people that don’t like beer can come to Hops and everyone will feel comfortable there. Hops is definitely on my list of bars to return to in Budapest, and I encourage everyone to check it out as well.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Tempest – Unforgiven Red Rye, Tempest – Red Eye Flight, Brew Your Mind – Peach Please , Holba – Premium Lager, Põhjala – Must Kuld Colombia, Brewdog – Elvis Juice.
FOOD. I did not see any food there. It is beer only. But there are plenty of food choices around. Especially the Street Food Karaván next to Szimpla is recommendable. Lots of different street food trucks.
OPENING HOURS. Mon – Thu: 5pm – 2am. Fri and Sat: 5pm – 3am.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M2 Astoria, M2 Blaha Lujza tér
ADDRESS. Wesselényi utca 13, 1077 Budapest
START – CRAFT BEER BAR
Only a few walking minutes away from Léhűtő is Start. It is located right next to the famous Szimpla Kert ruin bar – one of the most famous bars in Budapest. A red STOP sign, with the last two letters overwritten with “ART” and the words “craft beer bar” below lets you know what to expect at this pub. Start is quite small and the interior rather simple, which makes it pretty much the opposite of its huge neighbor. The tap list consists of a collection of six different local brews which take you on a journey through all different beer styles. Lagers, wheats and IPAs can be ordered, as well as sour beers or British style ales. I started with Bigfoot’s Silver Street, a regular Wheat Ale and perfect on a warm summer evening. I very much enjoyed my next choice, which was the Napalm Chili Old Ale brewed by Hedon. It had a reddish color and bit of an oily texture. It definitely had some spicy notes, which, however, did not overwhelm you, but rather gave you a slight after burn. Also the bottles in the fridge are very well sorted and stock some of the best local beers, such as the Sötét Bunkó Black IPA by Golém. It has an incredibly smooth smoky note and is really rich in flavor. I am really into Cascadians and this sure was a great one. Start’s manager is really nice and a good chat. He is probably the biggest Hungarian Green Bay Packers fan and pictures of Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre and other team apparel make up a certain amount of the bar’s decoration. It is always fun to meet people and talk football J. One of Start’s highlights definitely is its “beer garden”. I talked to the manager and he told me it was forbidden by Budapest’s authorities to arrange tables and chairs outside, since the street was too small. Smart as he is, he found a loop hole to get around this law and locked an old tricycle to one of the street lamps just outside his bar. Between the back wheels he installed a large barrel and on top with a metal plate on top of it and voilá, there is your table, which officially is not a table, but still a vehicle. Sneaky. And, on top of that completely legal (photo). It was the perfect spot to enjoy the Zodiak Red IPA by the fantastic Synthesis brewery and watch the people pass by on the street or queuing to get into Szimpla. I’d certainly recommend stopping by Start if you are around. It probably is not the place to spend the whole night at, but a fantastic place to have a few great beers before moving on.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Bigfoot – Silver Street, Hedon – Napalm Chili Old Ale, Synthesis – Zodiak, Gólem – Sötét Bunkó (Black IPA), Gólem – Hopochonder IPA
FOOD. No food. But just go next door to the Street Food Karaván. Lots of different street food trucks.
OPENING HOURS. Sun – Wed: 5pm – midnight. Thu: 5pm – 2am. Fri and Sat: 5pm – 4am.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M2 Astoria, M2 Blaha Lujza tér
ADDRESS. Kazinczy utca 20, 1076 Budapest
BESTIA
Bestia is probably the most central place of them all. It can be found directly at the square of the famous Szent Istvan Bazilika in downtown Budapest. The view of course is unique and everyone that loves watching people (like I do) will have a blast there. Potted trees and bushes provide some distance and separate the guests a bit from the masses of tourists that are at this square at any hour of the day. Bestia is not a pure craft beer bar, but rather a café/restaurant. The drinks menu is quite extensive and covers craft beers (draught and bottled), wines, spritzers, creative cocktails, a good amount of high quality gins and tonic waters to mix and match and spirits. At Bestia, they are also experimenting with craft beer cocktails, something I have especially seen coming up in Barcelona. Interesting combinations are the Hilly Billy which is made of Gin, bitter lemon syrup, orange, lemon and an IPA or the Dead Man Walking that is mixed with an amaro, mint and a stout. A friend of mine had the PinAPAle – rum, pineapple juice and the citrusy Horizont APA. To be I do not think that I will ever be the biggest fan of these – I prefer plain beer – but I do see the potential in it, especially on warm summer days. The tap list consists of 11 mostly local artisanal ales and covers pretty much all essential beer styles. My Hungarian favorites Mad Scientist were also on the list with the Saison 15 and the Duke of Budapest NEIPA, a collab with Yeast Wörks. Another really fantastic brew was the Távoli Galaxis IPA by Roth Beer from just outside Budapest. The tap beers are being served in jam jars, something I have not seen outside of America, yet. Bestia is definitely a very modern bar. I would call it hipster chic. Because of the big variety of drinks, Bestia is a place not only for beer lovers. I know that not everyone is into beers and of those who are not everyone is into craft beers, so Bestia will be a good choice for a broader audience and and place you can go to with a group of people with different drinking habits and interest. The prices are a little bit higher than in other places, but considering the location of Bestia it is not that bad. I could not leave the place without having tried a bottle of another of Mad Scientist’s flagship beers. During the course of my first visit, I have heard a lot about the Jam72, a West Coast Imperial IPA. And yes, it was amazing!
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Mad Scientist – Saison 15, Mad Scientist x Yeast Wörks – Duke Of Budapest, Roth Beer – Tavóli Galaxis, Hoptop – Green Zone IPA, Horizont – APA
FOOD. Big food menu. Soups, starters, salads, burgers, steaks, other main dishes, desserts.
OPENING HOURS. Sun – Wed: 12pm – midnight. Thu – Sat: 12pm – 2am
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M1 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky
ADDRESS. Szent István tér 9, 1051
Webpage
KRAK’N TOWN STEAMPUNK SALOON
Krak’n Town is one crazy place. Its dedication to steampunk is perfected to the last little detail. Coming into Krak’n Town makes you feel like you just became the protagonist of an H.G. Wells novel and were tele transported into his futuristic vision of back then Victorian London. Inside it seems like the pubs has travelled back and forth in time not only once, but multiple numbers, which is also reflected in the foundation year of 2316. The design consists of classic steampunk elements, such as metallic steam pipes, boost controllers and bull’s eye windows that must come straight from Jules Verne’s “Nautilus” – all these engineering gadgets can be found all over the place, including the restrooms. There are hot air balloons and the gondolas hanging from the ceilings, abstract metallic krakens are everywhere – on the ceiling, on the walls and on the outside façade, giving the pub its name. The staff is wearing uniforms and wearing leather steampunk googles. Fans of the golden and classic era of science fiction will certainly love that place. On the other hand, Krakn’n Town has distinct elements of a classic British pub such as a red-carpeted floor, several booths and old school lampshades. On top of all this, Krak’n Town serves amazing craft beer, some of which are self-brewed. They have a tap list of 9 beers, which – how else could it be – are running through lines which are covered by steampipes. Three of those draught options are Krak’n brews. During my visit, these were an IPA, a Pils and a sour cherry ale called Madame Rubynk. The other beers are mostly top-notch domestic brews, such as Feher Nyúl, Bázis or Vaskakas, but very often they also pour Mad Scientist, Horizont or Monyo. I really liked Krak’n IPA, which is a very classic British India Pale Ale, very hoppy and bitter and pours a beautiful golden color. 2 taps are reserved for international beers, in my case one of them was the exquisite Leffe Brun on nitro. I really love this beer, but never had it nitro-tapped before. That was a totally different experience and super delicious. Drinking at Krak’n Town was a whole new happening to me. This place is wonderfully weird, I would not know how to describe it better.
BEERS I RECOMMEND. Krak’n Town – Krak’n IPA, Krak’n Twown – Madame Rubynk, Vasakas – Johnny B. Good APA, Bázis – Bergamia Wit, Feher Nyúl – RAFA sour ale
FOOD. Proper British pub food. Pies, burgers, fish and chips, scotch eggs, haggis.
OPENING HOURS. Mon – Fri: 4pm – 1am. Sat and Sun: 1pm – 1am.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M4 Rákóczi tér
ADDRESS. József krt. 31a, 1085 Budapest
Webpage
CRAFT BEER STORES
BEERODALOM
Only a few minutes’ walk away from Krak’n Town will lead you to Beerodalom. It is located in a small side street of Joszef Boulevard in central Budapest. This little shop for craft beers and ciders is really awesome. It is about the size of a living room, but they have a fantastic selection of beers from Hungary and many other countries. It was in fact there, where I realized how large the number of Hungarian craft breweries really is. They easily have beers from 30 different domestic breweries. The bottles are displayed on big metallic shelves and they have everything that a beer heart could wish for. My highlight was the over a dozen of different brews by Mad Scientist including the Mango Bay. Next to these, Beerodalom is selling Monyo, Horizont, Hopfanatic, Reketye, Bázis, Hara’Punk, Hübris and many more that I cannot even remember. Also those people that are looking for international beers will find a lot to choose from. Some beers are cooled in a fridge and you can drink them in the store while talking to the guy. He is a really cool chat and is also engaged in home brewing. Speaking of home brewing, you will find everything you need for that at Beerodalom, as well. Huge sacks of hops and malts are standing around on the floor. All the equipment such as fermenting buckets, bottle fillers, tubes, thermometers, hydrometer, bottle cappers can be purchased there as well. I really loved that store and my backpack was filled with good stuff to bring back home when I left. I definitely want to get back there at some point with the car and load up my trunk with good Hungarian beer.
OPENING HOURS. Mon – Fri: 3pm – 9pm, Sat: 10am – 4pm. Sunday: 10am – noon.
NEAREST SUBWAY STOPS. M4 Rákóczi tér
ADDRESS. Kis Salétrom u. 2, 1085 Budapest
Webpage and Webshop