In the hot summer weather, after a nice tour exploring the hidden beauties of Budapest or the many historical treasures, it’s never a bad idea to grab a cold beer to cool off with and luckily Budapest has plenty of places offering a wide selection of craft beers. In the latest installment of our recurring Best of Budapest series, we have found some of the best places to knock back a cold one after a hard day.
Élesztőház
Although a great deal of craft beer bars can be found in the party district, Élesztőház is located in a former factory building near Corvin-negyed and nestled right at the heart of District VIII. Over 25 taps loaded with local Hungarian craft beers, imports, and beer cocktails await beer enthusiasts. Organizers of craft beer festival Főzdefeszt opened the bar back in 2013, and it became known as one of the first craft beer bars in the capital. Meaning ‘yeast’ in English, the name of the bar speaks for itself. Visitors can try their hand at brewing by taking a class, or if preferred, attend a tasting or presentation.
photo: Élesztőház Facebook / alkotocsoport.hu
photo: Élesztőház Facebook / alkotocsoport.hu
Jónás Craft Beer House
Jónás Craft Beer House is located near the city center and found inside the whale-shaped building appropriately named Bálna (or whale) given its curious construction. The terrace offers a picturesque view of the Danube river, Buda hills and Buda side of the capital, and is especially worth visiting during sunset. Jónás offers a great, rotating variety of local craft beers on tap. Among them are the bar’s unique creations: Arany Jónás (Golden Jonas) and Ravasz Hordó (Cunning Beaver). Did I mention they also screen the World Cup?
photo: burgerem.blog.hu
First Craft Beer & BBQ
First Craft Beer got its start as a new wave brewery, located outside the city center, with only a taproom and 10 beers on tap. Times have changed, however, and the brewery, operated by two brothers, opened its new downtown bar in 2017. As if the selection of 20 taps worth of the best local and international craft beers coupled with more than 200 different kinds of bottled beer wasn’t enough, the bar also offers its customers a menu of delicious barbecue foods to choose from. They have recently opened a terrace at the Bálna, and can be found next to Jónás Craft Beer Bar.
photo: First Craft Facebook
Neked csak Dezső!
Neked csak Dezső, another popular craft beer bar, just relocated to a bigger building on Rákóczi street. Named after a pig from Péter Bacsó’s banned Hungarian cult film from the soviet era, The Witness, the beer bar is currently the record holder, offering 32 different local and international craft beers on tap among several other bottled beers. They have everything from ales to IPAs.
photo: Neked csak Dezső! Facebook
Hops Beer Bar
Situated in the heart of the party district, at Hops Beer Bar everything is about beers. The selection of local and imported craft beers is fantastic, as they offer nine beers on tap, rotated regularly, along with more than 220 types of bottled beers. Everyone can find a favorite as they offer everything from IPA and ales to lagers and fruity beers. One look around confirms Hops Beer Bar’s passion as colorful coasters from all around the world line the bar’s walls.
photo: Hops Beer Bar Facebook
Kandalló
Also located in the party district, this place not only has an impressive selection of bottled beers and 16 rotating local craft beers on tap, but delicious burgers as well. Just recently, they even had a gluten-free beer available on tap. During the summer, Kandalló opens an outdoor beer garden located near Klauzál utca.
photo: Kandalló Facebook
If you just cant get enough of craft beer, Budapest even has its very own craft beer tour! Here you can learn about the past, present, and future of Hungarian beer culture, all while tasting some delicious local brews.
