City guide: Craft beer breweries in Leipzig

In our city guide series, we put together special beverage manufactories in German cities for you. This way, you can find the tastiest drops in a city and enjoy them regionally. We start our series with craft beer.

Missing someone on the list? Just write to us at [email protected] and we'll update it as soon as possible.

Kasten Brewery

Why the name Kasten Brauerei?

Fabian Kasten is not only the owner and brewer, but also the namesake of the Kasten brewery. As a result, many a pub guest has been met with astonishment and amusement when ordering (another) crate.

You didn't offer your beer in bottles at the beginning. Why did you do that?

In my opinion, instead of being taken home in a bottle, a beer belongs in a glass in the company of your favorite pub. That's why the original concept of the Kasten brewery consisted purely of selling beer in kegs to the catering trade, which is also reflected in the quite paradoxical slogan "Kasten. No beer for bottles." was intended to illustrate this.

However, the corona-related closures required rapid changes in order to be able to continue to produce and exist. So, without further ado, we built our own bottling plant and sold primarily in 1-liter swing-top bottles.

What is special about your beer?

Kasten is a craft beer brewed in the Pilsner style - full of hops, malt and love. A good beer should make you want a second glass at the first sip and even five of them should be enjoyable. I am not the only one who believes that I have achieved these self-imposed requirements; this can also be seen in the praise from guests and innkeepers.

The beers of the Kasten brewery

Only the "Gold", a lager with 12.3% original gravity (5.0% alcohol), a fine bitterness and a clear, fruity hop aroma, is available on a permanent basis. Occasionally, seasonal beers are added. I'd rather brew one perfect beer than ten pretty good ones.

Opening hours and availability

From Wednesday to Friday I offer a factory outlet from 5-6 pm.

Kasten Brewery
Wolfgang-Heinze-Straße 15 HH
04277 Leipzig
Phone: 034124755654
Instagram: kastenbrauerei
[email protected]

Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof

How long has your pub been around?

Since 2000.

What exactly is Gose and what is the difference between a "normal" brewery and a Gose brewery?

Gose was once a star. Now it's an insider tip. It is definitely a Leipzig original. Its complexion? Noble golden yellow with a fine cloudiness. The first impression? A really lively type that can also be sour at times. Its true nature? Rather tart and dry. Its greatest strength? Salt in the soup! Its hidden talents? 10.8% original gravity with 4.5% alcohol content and lactic acid fermentation - and a distinctive coriander note. Genuine Leipziger Gose is just not a beer like any other.

Gose is the eccentric among German beers and naturally does not adhere to the German Purity Law. But it doesn't have to. Gose is literally under "beer-o-top" protection: an exceptional permit from the Free State of Saxony, which ensures that the Leipzig specialty can be brewed here. If you want to toast it (or something else of your own preference), you can do so with the word "Goseanna!" - that's how you identify yourself as a true connoisseur.

How are you observing the development of craft beer in Leipzig?

With the conversion of our counter hall into the Doldenmädel Leipzig, a craft beer arena, we are keeping up with the rising trend of craft beers. With our brew pub, we want to support the talents of the brewing scene.

The beers from the Leipzig Gose brewery

Gose, Schaffner (pilsner), Heizer (black beer), Kuppler (wheat). These beers are always on tap and are all brewed at the Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof.

Opening hours and accessibility

Our restaurant is open all week. Monday to Friday from 12-22 hrs, at weekends from 11 hrs. We also offer regular events and guided tours, including beer seminars, which can be booked directly on our homepage:https://www.bayerischer-bahnhof.de/de/veranstaltungskalender.html

Bayrischer Platz 1
04103 Leipzig

Cliff's Brauwerk Leipzig

Beer has been brewed professionally at Cliff's Brauwerk since 2016. The brewery has a 500-liter brewhouse, which is used to brew different types of beer in a total of 6 fermentation and storage tanks.

The beers from Cliff's Brauwerk

Cliff's Brauwerk offers a constantly changing range of beers. From Mandarina Weizen, Cardinal IPA and Wheat Melon to Lemon Sour Beer and an IPA 7 Hops, there is always something for everyone

You can find the current beer range here:Beer range from Cliff's Brauwerk

Opening hours and accessibility

On sale

The brewery is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm to 10pm and on Sundays from 4pm. There is also the possibility to visit a brewery tour including a tasting afterwards. This must be booked in advance.

Napoleon Brewery

This historic pub was lovingly renovated and reopened in 2006. Since then, the house in Probstheida has also had its own brewery in addition to the pub.

The beers from Brauhaus Napoleon

Kaiser Napoleon Hell- & Spezial. All beers have an original wort content of 12.5% and an alcohol content of around 5.2 - 5.4%

Opening hours and accessibility

Brewery

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am

Address: Brauhaus Napoleon, Prager Str. 233, 04289 Leipzig

Phone: +49 (0) 341 246 76 76

Beer tours

On a beer tour at Brauhaus Napoleon, you will not only learn all about the production of beer, but also get to know the brewery's most secret rooms. On request, for 10-15 people

When: Thu 6 pm and Sat 10 am

Weisse Elster beers

The best raw materials, traditional craftsmanship and new brewing methods - these are the beers from Weisse Elster. The beers are not brewed in the brewery's own brewery, but are occasionally brewed elsewhere as guest brewers.

The beers from Weisse Elster Biere

There are exactly two varieties in the range. The Pilsener, 4-hopped with Hallerthauer Mittelfrüh and Hallerthauer Magnum. And fruity, fresh pale ales, which are brewed from time to time with other hop varieties.

Opening hours and availability

The best way to reach us is by email: [email protected]

Synde Bräu

Since Synde Bräu found its home on Hohe Strasse in 2018, the brewing kettle has never stood still. Inspired by the US craft beer movement, classic and new types of beer with plenty of hops are also being given a little more life in Leipzig.

The beers from Synde Bräu

In addition to the standard range of seven beers, including IPA, Pilsner, Barley Wine and a Russian Imperial Stout, different beer styles are always on offer depending on the season, such as a Bohemian-brewed lager or Belgian-inspired creations.

Opening hours and accessibility

Opening hours: Thursday & Friday 14:30-21:30, Saturdays from 16:30. Brewery tours with beer tasting are also offered once a month. You can find the dates on the homepage: https://www.syndebraeu.de/brauerei

Address: Hohe Straße 13, 04107 Leipzig