Whether it’s St Patrick’s Day or you enjoy the rich, creamy taste of a good stout, Guinness remains many drinkers’ beer of choice. But there’s more delicious dark beers out there to try out. Just as Berlin’s craft beer scene has exploded, so has its beer varieties, including a wide variety of high-quality Berlin stouts.
In honour of St Patrick’s Day we’ve listed the best Guinness alternatives, from imperial varieties to porters to your garden-variety stouts.
Image Credit: Heidenpeters
Heidenpeters’ Stout
With the brewery tucked neatly away beneath Markthalle Neun, Heidenpeters have been knocking up an eclectic mix of beers for over 14 years. When it comes to their stout, the brewery has managed to create something special. Unfiltered and unpasteurised, Heidenpeters’ stout is firm, well-balanced and nicely roasted, laced with aromatic chocolate, floral and coffee flavours. Available in bottles or on draft in Markthalle Neun, this is a no-nonsense, easy-going, dry, bitter, Berlin-made stout. And at 8% ABV, it’s no lightweight, either.
Dorfbrauerei Steglitz’ Schmidt Stout
Situated in the middle of Uckermark, Dorfbrauerei Stegelitz is one of Brandenburg’s most creative craft breweries. Founded by former Berliner Sarah Raimann, Dorfbrauerei’s classic oatmeal stout has reportedly become the drink of choice for the local fire brigade, thanks to its smooth and creamy profile. Nutty yet mild, the Schmidt stout is also light enough for a bit of day drinking, or to gulp on during a big street party. If travelling into the heart of Uckermark isn’t on the agenda, then Dorfbrauerei beers can be purchased in Berlin at Café Mukkefukk, Brandenburg specialist outlets and local beer emporiums.
Image Credit: Lemke
Lemke’s Dolio Imperial Stout
Imperial stouts are like normal stouts, but much fuller and stronger, and at Brauerei Lemke, the brewing team takes this approach even further by aging their stout in French oak barrels for six months. The result is an award-winning, strong, full-bodied beer, rich in woody and spicy aromas with a complex, nutty finish. Soft yet dry, with vanilla, raisin and chocolatey flavour profiles, the Dolio comes in at an enormous 12% ABV and as such should be approached with caution.
Image Credit: Straßenbräu
Straßenbräu’s Alptraum 2025
Friedrichshain’s craft beer specialists, Straßenbräu love a good stout, and they have a variety on tap available at any time. Currently on the roster is the imperial Alptraum, a rich and heavy concoction that’s been aged 12 months in cherry casks, contributing gentle spice and dry fruit flavours to its overall complexion. Creamy, floral and quite boozy, this is no nightmare fuel. Available to purchase on-site in 0.75L bottles, the Alptraum packs quite the punch with an ABV of 11.1%, and definitely leaves an impression.
Image Credit: Vagabund Brauerei GmbH
Vagabund’s Nut Cracker
For those craving something a little bit sweeter, the team up at Vagabund have knocked up a decadent pastry stout rich in chocolate and coconut flavours. Dark, roasted, smooth and not too heavy with hints of vanilla, the Nut Cracker remains well balanced and easygoing enough to drink at all times. With a texture and profile that leaves it light enough on the palate, the Nut Cracker is the perfect stout to start the segue from winter into spring.
