You could draw a very similar comparison between starting a craft beer company + working as a full time blogger / content creator – as worlds apart as each may seem. Both careers both come from a place of passion. That enthusiasm and love towards what we do is a driving factor towards the success of growing something out of nothing.
We all have different ways of measuring success; for me, putting a deposit down for our first house felt like a huge milestone, and a testament to how much can be achieved through new media. I get the feeling that
Stone Brewing – a San Diego-based craft beer company, and one of my all time favourite brewers
– felt a similar achievement when they opened their first brewing facility outside of the US, in September '16.
It was a bold move in the beer world, setting up their European base in Berlin – given the country's history of beer – but without taking a few risks in life you could be left with many unanswered questions.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
I was very humbled when Stone Brewing invited me over to see what they've created; not only a state-of-the-art brewing facility but the stunning bar, restaurant, event space and gardens, all housed on the grounds of a former gas works.
With 75 beers on tap (for all those "untappd" fans) you could have just left us there for the weekend, but with my new camera itching to be used I knew I needed to do a little exploration of the city. With just over 24 hours to see a new side of Berlin, I looked to my Instagram community + the Stone Brewing themselves for recommedations:
Five Elephants
As the cliche goes, first stop, coffee. Berlin is packed with coffee shops, and nice looking ones at that. A considered and inviting interior is high on priority, but it always needs to be backed up with good tasting coffee, a decent selection of food, friendly staff and a nice presentation. It's confirm, Five Elephants fits perfectly into that criteria.
A sweet little place, with a black, white and copper themed interior, kitted out with beautiful terrazzo counter tops by British designer Max Lamb. Try the cheesecake!
Five Elephants: Alte Schönhauser Str. 14, 10119, Berlin.
SODA Bookstore
Magazine and book stores are always somewhere on my list, a few suggestions came my way but we ended up seeking out SODA Bookstore; an independently owned shop for "curious people". I don't think I've ever seen so many publications housed in such an aesthetically pleasing room before. Covering food and fashion, architecture and travel, and more specialist subjects like pets, food and science.
I left empty handed, but next time I'll do my best to pick up a couple of local rags. SODA Bookstore: Weinbergsweg 1, 10119 Berlin.
Stone Recommends - Michelberger Hotel
This was my second time visiting Berlin, but as the city is so huge (with some many accommodation options) I left the hotel arrangements to Stone. They assured us that the Michelbeger Hotel was where we needed to stay. One step into the hotel lobby are you can instantly see why this place is so highly regarded.
Exposed plaster seems to be a big thing in Berlin, and the Michelbeger has it in abundance, running through the lobby, concierge, rooms, bar and restaurant. And speaking of the restaurant (we had both breakfast and dinner here), I've got to stay, the 4-course dinner was one of the best I've had in a long time. Brussels sprouts, miso, chilli, seaweed veg; black pudding, smoked potato, fermented peach mash; beetroots, walnut, dill, liquorice salad – not your usual offering!
The rooms were comfy and inviting, a decent place to rest your feet after 20,000 steps. But, if only they sold their seriously neckable canned coconut water in the UK...
Michelberger Hotel: Warschauer Str. 39-40, 10243 Berlin, Germany
Voo Store
When the recommendations came in on Instagram a few of the same names kept cropped up, Voo Store was one of them. Men's and Women's clothing and accessories – with a heavy leans towards streetwear + conceptual – is mixed in with contemporary homeware, sneakers, magazines and collectables. You'll find APC, JW Anderson, Our Legacy, Joseph and the usual footwear suspects.
It's not the biggest of department stores, but if your feet are sore there's a little bakery nestled in the back corner: Companion Coffee.
Voo Store: Oranienstraße 24, 10999 Berlin.
Stone Recommends - Lager Lager
After pounding the pavement for most of the day we made our way south of Kreuzberg to Lager Lager; a tiny craft beer bottle shop and bar. This place is a celebration of all good beer. I spotted brews from Yorkshire's Magic Rock Brewery, Manchester's Cloud Water, Copenhagen's Mikkeller, a strong amount of local micro-breweries and of course, the Berlin-brewed IPAs, weiss beers + stouts by Stone. If you're wondering, my favourite beer by Stone Brewing is their Cali-Belgique IPA.
Simple modern branding, carefully considered guest beers on tap and good tunes on the radio made for a memorable visit to this modestly sized specialist bar.
Lager Lager: Pflügerstraße 68, 12047 Berlin.
We also visited:
As I was saying earlier, we all have different ways of measuring success. I returned home from Berlin feeling really good about the city, with positive thoughts towards a brewery I'm enthusiastic about, and a little bit of experience under my belt with a brand new camera. I'd called that a resounding success if you ask me!
I was invited over to Berlin by Stone Brewing, who kindly covered for my stay + beer tab. Your
support of the brands + businesses we work with helps make this blog happen.
