Circle 8 Brewery

A rustic bar, where the finest, home-made beers are served. The brewery is hidden in a backyard in Alsterdorf, from the outside it is very inconspicuous, so you can easily walk past it! Inside it is very authentic with the nano stainless steel brew kit easily located and a few bench style pine tables and chairs plus really great beer served in a friendly welcoming atmosphere. There are 10 different varieties on tap, all costing only €3 for 0,3l glass of probably one of the best beers in Hamburg? No food available, but salt sticks are available on the tables for free. Tasting is encouraged and makes it more enjoyable to get involved in the varietie of styles and tastes. The owner/brew dude and staff are great folks and really make you welcome.

Authentischer Tap Room. Nah an der Ubahn Alsterdorf. Wieso gehen die Hamburger hier nicht hin?? 6 eigene Taps. Macht 20 uhr zu. Hin gehen! Jedes Bier 3€.

Next time I go out for a really satisfying beer in Hamburg, it's Circle 8. Why? Because the nascent craft brew scene in the Hansestadt suffers from two problems: 1) fear of alienating German lager drinkers by serving them up something too genuinely flavorful; and, 2) creating weak, flawed, amateurish versions of pale ales, IPAs, et cetera because they just aren't very good at it. Circle 8 does NOT suffer from these failings. The black IPA I had there, was probably the best I've ever had. It was lush, lively, complex, rich, balanced, and at the same time wonderfully unique. Hands down, a winner. The Citra Blonde had lovely citra character, and some real assertiveness too - - also lush and rich - - this is REAL brewing - - real hand-crafted care - - and the beers go the distance. The 5-grain I had was a bit jarring at first, because it is is also a no-compromise flavor conveyor, but I came to appreciate it over the course of the glass. The owners are delightful; they have a dedicated local following (which they fully deserve); the hours are limited (4p-8p Mon-Friday) so you have to time your visit, but it is totally worth the while. A lushness, richness, flavor oasis in what is otherwise a tepid sea of craft beer mediocrity in Hamburg. You could call it a "geheimtipp" (secret recomendation) but I hope it doesn't stay that way for long. It's a two block walk from U-bahn Alsterdorf, and a pretty little bahn trip up through Eppendorf, and a joyous little stroll, it totally is.