October the 16th, 2024 – The Zagreb craft beer scene is booming, with something to suit every single palate from an increasing number of fresh breweries.
If you’d asked the majority of people about Zagreb about a decade ago, you’d have been met with one or two responses. The first would have been “Where?” and the second would have been “I’ve landed there/flown from there”. It’s no secret that Zagreb’s potential was unseen. It was one of Europe’s less interesting capitals. It was the capital of a country famed for its coastline, islands and crystalline waters. It had an airport that people heading to more awkward destinations could fly into and back out of, with few ever intending on sticking around.
How the tables have turned for this now very hip destination. Like a sort of Vienna in the rough, the Croatian capital’s skyline is dominated by buildings that span centuries and regimes. Yugoslavia’s brutalist architecture stands starkly against older parts of the city, where Austro-Hungarian glam offers a new detail with every glance, while that Austro-Hungarian glam ages against new, modern, glassy structures which mark Zagreb’s new era. Blue trams make their way along Ilica, the city’s main artery, like mechanical snakes, and more people from all over the world discover the too long overlooked lure of Croatia away from the coast.
There are plenty of things that make Zagreb cool, quirky, and unique, but one of the more exciting stories lies in glass bottles – the Zagreb craft beer scene. Few could have expected a boom the size of what we’ve experienced in this regard, and the number of breweries creating unique flavours with unusual names across the capital is on the up. With the Zagreb craft beer scene comes beer festivals and bars, which only succeeds in bringing more people to Croatia’s charming capital city.
the origins of the zagreb craft beer scene
Croatia is synonymous with rakija as opposed to beer, but let it be known that this is still very much a country of beer lovers. Until relatively recently however, only the big names dominated. The classic Tomislav, Ožujsko, Karlovačko, Osječko and so on were everywhere you turned, with little variation. Then came the craft revolution with the Zagreb craft beer scene very much taking the proverbial wheel.
Something new was needed and 2013 is when it all really took off. Zagreb’s passionate beer enthusiasts took to importing German and British craft beer and something new awakened in all those who tried it. Initially, amber, pale and dark lagers dominated the then infant Zagreb craft beer scene, with bars purchasing and serving it. Their customers loved this frothy novelty, and as confidence grew, so did the types of beers experimented with. Then came American pale ale and IPA, followed by all kinds of lagers, pilsners, dark beer and more.
With that, the craft beer scene in the capital snowballed, and with locally produced craft beer available in an ever-growing number of pubs, bars and restaurants (as well as in tap rooms), nobody has ever needed to look back.
the zagreb craft beer scene, a look at a handful of the main players
The Zagreb craft beer scene is growing, but there are certain names which stick out and which have stood the test of time. As mentioned, their numbers keep on increasing, so we’ll only touch on a few of them. In no particular order, let’s take a look at some of what the varied Zagreb craft beer scene has to offer.
zmajska pivovara (the dragon brewery)
This very well known addition to the blossoming Zagreb craft beer scene appeared back in 2013 and is considered one of the pioneers of the Croatian craft beer movement. Founded by Andrej Čapka, a very passionate home-brewer and initiator of pivarstvo.info, one could hardly ask for a more knowledgeable and eager individual at the helm. They stated that their desire was to “gradually educate palates for tasting and enjoying beer” and introduce all kinds of new types to the Croatian palate, and indeed that of visitors to this country. Zmajsko Pivovara, which translates to Dragon Brewery, introduced their first two beers one year later in 2024. They were Pale Ale (American Pale Ale) and Porter (American Porter). From there they continued to explore different beer styles and flavours, expanding, experimenting and testing the waters of the Croatian public. Since 2014, they have introduced us to over forty different types of craft beer.
the garden brewery
The Garden Brewery is one of the most well known craft breweries not only in Zagreb but nationwide. Established back in 2016, it has since grown to become one of the leading craft breweries in Croatia. It was voted EU Championship Brewery in both 2019 and 2020. The Garden Brewery has developed numerous different very interesting beers over the years. To be frank, they’re all incredible and it would be a hard task to pick several favourites. The fact that they do exceptionally well when it comes to exports speaks volumes about their growing international fan base. Our advice? Try them all!
pivovara medvedgrad (medvedgrad brewery)
Pivnica Medvedgrad paved the way for the Zagreb craft beer scene. It’s by far the oldest brewery on this list and one that bears a name so heavily associated with the Croatian capital – Medvedgrad, the city of bears. It was founded way back in the very turbulent 1990s (more specifically 1994) by a company called IPIM which was engaged in the business of designing microbreweries. From IPA to seasonal favourites and from dark lager to what beer, Pivnica Medvedgrad is onsidered to be the oldest independent microbrewery in all of Croatia. They’ve so far produced over forty different beers and designed and manufactured over 20 impressive micro/craft breweries.
zagreb craft bars
As mentioned, the craft beer revolution brought with it not only new flavours to enjoy, but quirky craft bars and entire festivals dedicated to the art. This alone has boosted how the world sees Zagreb, and beer lovers from across Europe and beyond are always pleasantly surprised when they come across a local creation that hits the spot, sometimes enough to keep on purchasing it and having it exported abroad.
Much like we did with the handful of top players on the Zagreb craft beer scene, we’ll look at a handful of funky craft bars dotted across the capital. Like the number of breweries, the number of craft bars is also on the up, so we’ll stick to just a few.
the garden brewery
Unsurprisingly, an enterprise that has grown like The Garden Brewery has a place to come and sample everything. Situated in an old brick factory in the industrial part of the city, you can see this brewery’s collection in full. Coupled with mouthwatering food from Submarine, you can’t really go wrong.
beertija
Birtija is the Croatian word for a pub, and with a little English mixed in, you’ll likely have got the message. Local and imported liquids can be enjoyed in this unusual ambience, with the pub’s main area actually being in a basement. Don’t let the idea of that put you off, however, as Beertija has done exceptionally well since flinging open its doors to beer lovers back in 2012, boasting a pretty terrace surrounded by dense greenery.
tolkien’s house
Lord of the Rings lovers, the name will have won you over already, but don’t be fooled, this isn’t actually some sort of Gandalf/pub crossover. What it is, is a rather unusual location serving a wide array of craft beer, as well as all sorts of favourite ales from at home and abroad. It’s known city-wide and is a firm favourite for pub goers who want the atmosphere to be just that little bit different.
mali medo (little bear)
Here we come to the already mentioned Pivovara Medvedgrad. Here’s where the mighty Zagreb brown bear gets a little cuter, as the name suggests. Mali Medo, has been favourite of Zagreb’s beer lovers for a long time, and foreigners have been discovering it more often over recent years. A testament to Pivovara Medvedgrad’s 20-year-long passion for craft beer, and here’s where you can come and try them all at a trendy, very central Tkalčićeva location (but maybe not all in one night…)
the craft room
The name says it all, doesn’t it? The Craft Room has an entirely different vibe than your typical Croatian cafe bar. More funky and with a different energy, you can try all kinds of Croatian craft beer here, and also some from abroad. Food is also on offer, with pub classics always a firm favourite.
zagreb craft beer festivals
Moving on to craft beer festivals in Zagreb, we’ll take a look at another handful of events dedicated to this growing art.
zagreb beer fest
The Zagreb Beer Fest pays homage to craft beer, gastronomic delights and good music. It’s precisely at this festival that craft brewers from across not only Zagreb but the entire country come to promote their creations to the crowds. A highlight on the calendar of every craft beer enthusiast in the capital, visitors get to get together and sample countless craft beers accompanied by great live music and food to line the stomach. The gastro offer ranges from typical Croatian classics to all kinds of international options. There’s something for everyone here, and the Croatian and Zagreb craft beer scene gets to show off just how rich it really is.
the beeryard festival
The former Jedinstvo factory’s large courtyard is the location of this festival, and it’s another one to mark down on the calendar (or let’s face it, set a Google alert for) for craft beer lovers. A stage for the lesser known local breweries from across the nation, it’s also a fantastic showcasing point for foreign craft breweries. Accompanied by music and great food options, the BeerYard Festival’s main aim is to give the little guy the spotlight, and prove that independent brewing and niche breweries run by those with a true passion for creation will forever be superior to the gigantic names in beer that still continue to dominate the scene.
zagreb craft beer week
An entire week dedicated to the Zagreb craft beer scene should speak volumes about the level of importance craft brewing has garnered in the Croatian capital. The story began back in 2017 at the Craft Room, and it was held in different locations. It spotlighted craft beer and breweries from across the country, as well as those from abroad. Croatian chefs were also present to rustle up irresistible gastronomic creations to accompany the different types of beer on offer. Even the former British Ambassador was quick to invite all those who love the taste of golden liquid to come, given that 20 British craft breweries were being showcased. If that isn’t promotion, then we’re not sure what is!
zmajevo
Hosted by Zmajska Pivovara, ZMAJevo is a festival to show off the incredible passion and thirst for creation that this Zagreb brewery has. Held in the warm summer months, there’s nothing quite like a crisp, cold craft beer to refresh the palate as the Croatian sun begins to heat up to its typical unrelenting temperatures. Held on the premises of Zmajska Pivovara, visitors can do more than just drink what’s on offer. Tours of the production facility take place, with detailed explanations on just how craft beer is created shedding light on everything that goes into working and succeeding in this demanding and competitive industry. In addition to celebrating the Zagreb craft beer scene and that of the nation as a whole, the festival is also about street food, and plenty of delicious options are readily available to all. Couple all of that with some great live music, and you can’t really go wrong.
