Meet The Humble Brewmaster, Philipp Brokamp

Philip Brokamp, brewmaster and owner of ‘Hops and Barley’ has been honestly and humbly brewing and serving his house-made brews since 2008 in his intimate establishment. There’s no flashy logos, no jalapeño-strawberry flavors, just unpretentious, varied, and well-made beer by someone who loves the ubiquitous beverage.

What made you decide to open Hops and Barely in Berlin?
After working a long time in other breweries, I decided to do my own stuff. And I had a long distance relationship. Maybe the main reason.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Do it on your own when you do a small thing like me. But now I got rid of some trouble.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
What sets you apart from other craft breweries in Berlin?
I think we are the smallest brewpub that only sells its own beer. Nearly every week we brew a special for the guests. So the variety is very good, I think.
If you weren’t brewing beer, what would you be doing?
Maybe working with wood. But definitely doing something by hand.
What’s your favorite beer you’ve ever brewed?
There are some. I am not so much into the very heavy beers. I like a clear, drinkable hops taste. The last week we brewed a secret lager with Vi Secret Hops from Australia.

How do you feel the craft beer scene in Berlin holds up to the one in the USA?
I think it’s not the same development as in the US. More and more beers are on the market, but more very small breweries like us and many people brewing their beer without brewing equipment. The Gypsy brewers are rising. Not the middle sized and big ones like in the US. That’s the reason why the total output is still not high for craft beer. In my case, I still like it more from smaller companies.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I don´t like the word ‘proud’ so much. But I am happy to run a pub that is interesting for many people. I never believed that I’ll brew this amount of beer for one pub and meet so many nice people from all over the world. That’s nice.

Quick Fire
Early Bird or Night Owl?
More night owl
Watch a film or read a book?
Fifty Fifty
Cook for someone or have someone cook for you?
Cook for someone
Dead of winter or middle of summer?
Middle of summer
IPA or Triple?
Both. It depends on the mood.
Brunch or dinner?
Dinner

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


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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.
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