On my final Sunday in Zagreb, I took a six-kilometer run from my central apartment to The Garden Brewery. The trip down Heinzelova Street to the neighborhood at the outskirts of East Zagreb was easy. But the final twists and turns from Slavonska Avenue through the industrial complex where the taproom was located confused me. Pay close attention to a map. Look for a sign that reads “PIVOVARA” (BREWERY,) and follow the street.
After I saw the sign, I found myself wandering around warehouses and loading equipment. Everything was old, rusted and gloomy. It wasn’t until I heard some soft funk and soul playing that I knew I was close. I turned one corner at a large warehouse, and there it was, a beery diamond in the rough.
The Garden Brewery: Taproom In East Zagreb
The Garden Brewery really is a garden – a bright grassy lawn shaded by green trees and an awning. After getting lost in the industrial surroundings, it looked an oasis.
But how is the beer?
For better or worse, the Garden Brewery story embodies the Croatian tourism industry. First, it began with Irish expats who created The Garden Music Festival on the shimmering beaches of Dalmatia. Later, this branched out into the Garden Resort Tisno, Barbarella’s Discoteque and The Garden Lounge.
Many foreigners came these festivals, and frequently asked for better beer than what the local breweries provided. After some years of this, the owners figured: why sell other beer when they could sell their own? And so the brewery began.
Pivovara = Brewery
When you go to any Croatian beer shop or pub, the colorful The Garden Brewery cans catch your eye. Their regular portfolio of beers is widely available not only in Croatia, but in 25 other countries. While certainly better than industrial brews, some are quite average.
What The Garden Brewery does excel in is their experimentation. If one beer doesn’t please you, you can choose from a giant selection of other great hoppy Hazy IPAs, massive stouts and fruit-filled sours. Their creativity is unmatched in Croatia.
Of the three beers I had at the brewery, two were these heavy hitters.
Not A Thirst-Quenching Summer Beer: Imperial Banoffee Pie Stout
The Imperial Banoffee Pie Stout is unusual. Think of banana chocolate cream pudding in a glass. A sweet pecan and brown sugar flavor balanced well with its roasty dark backbone. But it was hard to handle after a six kilometer run in the summer heat. First, I decided to hold off on the stout and took one of their standards – a fruity Hazy IPA – to refresh myself.
Sharing space in the brewery was Submarine Burger, one of many American-style hamburger shops which have popped up frequently in this part of Europe. I was hungry, so I didn’t question a big cheeseburger with fries. It was filling and went well with the hoppy Hazy IPA.
Once I finished the burger and the IPA, I started on my dessert, the Banoffee Pie Stout. I didn’t know if it was beer sweats or running sweats, but I began to feel sedated. Better to catch a taxicab back to the center.
If you have more than just one day to pub crawl Zagreb, then make a trip to The Garden Brewery. Their beers they offer on tap at their location are better that what’s offered in Croatia’s craft beer bars. What you find there will surprise you.
For a guide to the best craft beer bars in Zagreb click: here
