Krakows Best Craft Beer Haunts And Local Pubs

Between the Gothic spires of Krakow’s Stare Miasto and the beatnik bars of Kazimierz, Poland’s famous city is witnessing the rise of a new type of drinking establishment; casting off the vision of ubiquitous vodka. From dark stouts and English ales to American IPAs and Polish home brews, the flavors flowing from the taps of Krakow’s burgeoning craft beer scene is giving rise to new micro-breweries. We check out some of Krakow’s best craft beer haunts.

1. Chmiel

Bar, Pub Grub

Concealed beneath a forecourt, below the looming spires of Krakow’s mighty Wawel Castle, off-the-beaten-track basement bar Chmiel (meaning ‘Hops’) remains a great pick for craft connoisseurs travelling through town. Inside, the place is tight-knit and cozy, with a small bar area occupying the drooping apses of the basement and rickety shelves displaying a kaleidoscopic array of both local Polish brews and worldly crafts.

2. C.K. Browar

Bar, Restaurant, European

Unquestionably the most popular micro-brewery to grace the streets of Krakow, C.K Browar sits hidden beneath a rather gaudy entrance at the end of busy Ulica Karmelicka. Patrons descend below the rumbling tram lines of Bagatela station into a cavernous drinking hall that could easily have been plucked from the lines of tents adorning Bavarian Oktoberfest. The busy tables are lit with swinging billiard lamps and peppered with C.K’s trademark beer tubes, while the gargantuan copper casks that loom from behind the bar issue forth endless streams of frothy home brews. The philosophy here is towards simple and earthy beer making, which results in a small selection of masterful labels.

3. House of Beer

House of Beer

Located on the cusp of Krakow’s greenbelt park, House of Beer is a staple of the city’s craft scene, specializing in bottled labels from Belgium, Slovakia and Germany. There are taps too, touting regular favorites like the Czech Kozel and the Gambrinus Pils, or Poland’s own Amber from Pomerania up north, along with a selection of English ciders and heavy stout ales. Inside, the character is hearty and homely, decked with wood panelled walls and rough tables, peppered with mismatched sofas and awash with a curious array of artworks both classic and modern.
House of Beer, Świętego Tomasza 35, Krąków, Poland, +48 794 222 136

http://instagram.com/p/9qujTxDTLp/?taken-by=house_of_beer_krakow

5. Omerta Pub

Bar, Pub, Pub Grub

A mishmash of stained timber tables, scuffed leather sofas and gaudy low-hanging lights help to create the charm of Omerta Pub, situated in the very heart of Krakow’s enchanting Kazimierz district. It’s often hailed as one of the pioneers of the craft beer scene here, famed originally for its offering of bottled IPAs, foreign ales and independent brews from all around the world. Today, Omerta boasts a whole bar full of cask pumps and a cascade of new bottled beers, not to mention larger premises laden with curious film noir paraphernalia to boot. If you want to sample one of the best local crafts currently on the circuit in Poland, then go for the Atak chmielu American IPA, a full bodied, flavorsome brew straight out of nearby Lublin.

6. Strefa Piwa

Pub, Pub Grub, Beer

Meaning ‘Beer Zone’, this does exactly what it says on the tin. Strefa Piwa is located on one of the most bustling streets in the city’s old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, making it a well placed stop-off for drinkers gulping their way through the many beer bars and boho clubs that cluster around Plac Wolnica. What’s more, the spot now boasts no fewer than 12 pull taps, allowing for an eclectic menu of IPAs, lagers, English ales and local Polish brews that move with the trends. Meanwhile, the decor is simple and pleasant, with a real Slavic beer hall vibe. Don’t miss the beer mat wallpaper that adorns the back room, Stefa’s artistic pièce de résistance.

7. Stara Zajezdnia

Stara Zajezdnia

The cavernous and industrial-chic Stara Zajezdnia in the depths of Kazimierz represents another of the city’s premier micro-breweries. It’s housed in one of the Jewish Quarter’s old factory cargo terminals and still clings proudly to that mechanized character, displaying its exposed iron beams and colossal arched roof with nothing but panache. They brew a range of different tipples, from heady dark ales, to sweet honey-infused malts, while the adjoining kitchen serves up a bountiful array of traditional Polish dishes, from gherkin soup to salty Slavic pancakes packed with spinach and mushrooms.
Stara Zajezdnia, Świętego Wawrzyńca 12, Kraków, Poland, +48 664 323 988
http://instagram.com/p/yw8zLjzhHc/?taken-by=stara_zajezdnia_krakow

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.