Vagabund Brewery: Portrait of Berlin’s craft beer icon

Vagabund Brewery is a fixture in the Berlin craft beer scene. Since its beginnings in 2011, the brewery has evolved from a small cellar brewery into an established name with a loyal fan base, to which we also belong.

The Founding Story: From a Band to a Brewery

Anyone who knows a little about the craft beer scene won’t be surprised. Vagabund Brewery also began as a small home brewery. In this case, it was founded by three Americans (Matt Walthall, David Spengler, and Tom Crozier). They had actually intended to pursue their music careers in Berlin, but things turned out differently.

Disappointed by the rather traditional beer selection prevailing in Berlin at the time, which consisted mainly of Pilsner, they decided to take matters into their own hands. None of the founders were trained brewers; their professional backgrounds were in history and journalism. Initially, they began to teach themselves how to brew—through books, internet research, and above all, through experimentation. In their apartment, they started brewing in the American style—beers with more hops and more experimental flavor profiles. One of their very first batches in the kitchen brewery, said to have been an American Pale Ale, showed that they were on the right track.

What began as a hobby quickly developed into a business idea. In 2011, they officially founded Vagabund Brauerei GmbH. They hoped to generate the necessary capital for a larger brewery through a crowdfunding campaign. With this campaign, they became Europe’s first crowdfunded brewery. The goal was to raise €20,000 for necessary equipment like fermentation tanks and a tap system. Nearly 200 supporters invested €22,295 in the project. The campaign was designed as a “Community Supported Brewery,” where supporters received a weekly ration of fresh beer for a specific period or even for life, depending on the size of their contribution.

The start was a success, and in 2013 they opened their first taproom on Antwerpener Straße in the Wedding district. This small, cozy spot quickly became a popular meeting point for beer lovers and established Vagabund as one of the pioneers of the burgeoning Berlin craft beer movement.

Osram-Höfe

The beer was well-received in Berlin. In 2021, Vagabund opened its Kesselhaus (Boiler House) in the historic Osram-Höfe. The heritage-listed former Osram-Höfe are located at Oudenarder Str. 16-20 in Berlin-Wedding. The building was originally the boiler house of Germany’s first lightbulb factory.

The former boiler house was in a very dilapidated state when they took it over and had to be renovated in accordance with historical preservation standards. This required more capital and effort than originally anticipated. The enormous financial burden led to long-term problems, which were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This forced the operators of Vagabund Brewery to radically change their business model. As their main sales channel—the hospitality industry—collapsed, the company had to quickly pivot to retail (with listings at Rewe and Edeka) and delivery services.

Nevertheless, the renovation was completed, creating a wonderfully inviting space. The state-of-the-art production facility, complete with a bar and beer garden, found its home here. The production capacity is around 30,000 liters per month, with brew batches of 4,500 liters. Besides using it as a bar, the owners were interested in offering additional events from the start. They organized regular events ranging from bingo nights to live music sessions with local and international artists. The aim was to create a creative space for social gatherings.

Insolvency of Vagabund Brewery

Despite considerable success, including being named “Best Brewpub in Germany” by RateBeer seven times (2014-2020), the financial burden of the expansion, combined with external market shocks (increased costs for raw materials and energy), led to insolvency in early 2024. In July 2024, the company was acquired by the publicly traded DF-Gruppe, a financial firm that aims for a national expansion of the brand.

The taproom on Antwerpener Straße has since closed. Operations at the Kesselhaus are continuing with the proven concept.

Brewing Philosophy and Beer Styles

The philosophy of Vagabund Brewery is to enrich beer culture and offer an alternative to industrially produced beers. Their focus is on handcrafted, flavorful, and diverse beer styles.

They draw inspiration from American brewing styles but also reinterpret classic German varieties. Their Helles, for example, is described as “a Bavarian with a Berlin attitude.” It combines the softness of a southern German lager with the “fresh bite of a Northern German Pils.” This approach appeals to both the adventurous craft beer enthusiast and the consumer with a more traditional taste profile.

American Pale Ale

As it’s poured, the beer shines in a rich golden hue that transitions to amber. A slight haze attests to its unfiltered character, and the head is creamy and long-lasting. Even before the first sip, you notice a pleasant aroma of citrus fruits. This is also reflected in the taste, though the hop aroma dominates here.

A hop-forward beer that symbolizes the brewery’s beginnings. The alcohol content is 5.2%.

IPA (India Pale Ale)

Vagabund’s interpretation of an India Pale Ale is often designed as a “Session IPA”—meaning it has a lower alcohol content for longer enjoyment, but without compromising on aroma. It is clearly my favorite beer style from this brewery.

In the glass, you can see a slight yeast haze, and the beer shimmers golden. A true hop explosion unfolds on the nose. Intense notes of tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit, paired with strong hints of citrus and pine resin.

A heavily hopped beer with intense fruit and bitter notes. The alcohol content is 4.5%, with an IBU of 40.

Helles

An easy-drinking yet characterful interpretation of the Bavarian classic. The “Bavarian with a Berlin attitude” has a crisp hop flavor accompanied by a slightly fruity aroma. The lager has an alcohol content of 4.9%.

Brilliantly clear and filtered, it shines a bright golden-yellow in the glass, crowned by a stable, white head. The initial taste is soft and refreshing. The delicate malt sweetness is perfectly balanced by a very subtle but noticeable hop bitterness (approx. 17 IBU).

I really like this beer. It’s perfect for a relaxed evening in the beer garden.

Pils

A Pilsner brewed in the German style but often with a modern hop twist. The Pils shimmers with a classic golden and brilliantly clear appearance in the glass. I particularly like the fine, long-lasting head. The first impression is a pronounced bitter note (approx. 42 IBU), typical for a characterful Pils. The aromas of noble hops dominate, bringing floral and spicy notes.

A classic of the brewing art with a 5.1% alcohol content.

Weizen

A top-fermented wheat beer described as a traditional Bavarian Weizen, but brewed with Berlin flair. As a fan of wheat beer, I have to say that it doesn’t quite match the taste of the Bavarian originals. Visually, however, it fits the bill perfectly: naturally cloudy and with a rich, straw-yellow color. The head is voluminous, creamy, and stable—just as it should be for a Weizen.

Hopwater

A sparkling water flavored with Sabro hops, with no alcohol.

Is there more?

In addition, Vagabund regularly offers seasonal and experimental beers that highlight the brewers’ creativity and spirit of discovery. According to some sources, about 190 different beers have been created over the years. I have tried several seasonal beers, from a Sour to an IPA. Each had its own style and is sure to find its fans. My favorite beer so far is the Pony, a Pale Ale.

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Address:

Oudenarder Straße 16-20,
13347 Berlin, Deutschland