2019 Budapest

Thursday 10 October 2019

The flight from Gatwick was on time and we arrived at Ferenc Liszt airport at 13.45. PV managed to alight the airport bus (100E) with no one else following (some were fagging it after their enforced abstinence) but we all meet up together at Deak Ferenc Square. Walking up Kiraly, we left COC near his hotel before continuing to the junction with Vorosmarty and our hotel opposite the Hunyadi garden. The Silver Hotel Budapest (Hunyadi ter 11, Budapest, 1067) was accessed through a gated passage in an old building which opened into a large open courtyard surrounded by the 9 floors of the hotel. The booking in took its normal long winded self and after depositing our bags in the perfectly adequate rooms we met up at the courtyard smoking huts before heading off for the first beer.

We did not have to go far; our first venue was in the same building – just go outside, turn left and 10 metres away was the entrance to this cellar bar.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Ogre Bacsi

Hunyadi ter 11, Budapest

1067

Comment

After negotiating the steps, the bar and one table are in the first room with a much larger vaulted ceiling room beyond. One local occupied the front bar table so we spread out in the back room. The bar is the brewery outlet in Budapest for Szent Andras (from Bekesszentandras) and had 8 beers from them plus a couple of guests and all were well served by the barman Csongor. A very enjoyable start to our beer tour.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Szent Andras

Vari Noverek

4.9

X

D

Refreshing APA, if a little fruity

Szent Andras

Magyar Vandor

5.6

X

D

(Hungarian Horseman) lager/ale hybrid

Szent Andras

Betyar Kiraly

7

X

D

(King of the Outlaws) Bock
               

 

After the refresher we headed along Boulevard Terez to change some money and then set course for the Cathedral area.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Hedon Bazilika Taproom

Sas utca 25, Budapest

1051

Comment

There is modern and then there is Hedon. This ultra smart brewery tap consists of one long room leading up to a beer wall with further seating available in the glassed roof courtyard of the adjoining hotel. Beer is self-service, so initially you are issued with a credit card which is placed in the selected beers reader, then you pour yourself as much of the stuff you want. When leaving the card is read and the bill produced. All very neat and clinical.

The Hedon brewery is at Balatonvilagos while Stu Mostow hails from Wroclaw in Poland.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Hedon

Indian Summer

6.8

X

D

Rather fruity American style IPA

Stu Mostow

Salamander Black IPA

6.8

X

D

Nicely burnt and hoppy

Hedon

Chessie

6.5

X

D

Hazy New England IPA

Hedon

Vertigo IPA

5.3

 

D

Charlie tried this

Hedon

Charlie Firpo

5.1

 

D

…..and this (of course)
               

 

It was a short walk to Szent Istvan’s Cathedral and opposite….

 

Bar

Location

Code

Bestia

Szent Istvan ter 9-11, Budapest

1051

Comment

Recommended for food as well as beer, ROC had booked this for our evening meal. Modern in style it was all rather dark and difficult to see what was going on. The most distinguishing feature was the toilets where keg barrels had been turned into urinals. Still the beer was good and the burger quite acceptable. Service from Bogi was slick and the waitresses very helpful; sometimes they just bent over and showed their tips to enhance your experience.

We finished the meal with a shot of Hungarian Palinka; a concoction of grapes and peach.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Hubris

Hubris upa

5.1

X

D

Nice Nelson Sauvin hopped IPA

Feher Nyul

Rafa Sour IPA

6.8

X

D

As it says in the title
               

The next bar was roughly on the way back to the hotel.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Hops Beer Bar

Wesselenyi utca 13, Budapest

1077

Comment

This small bar is on the ground floor of one the large buildings in the Jewish quarter. There are 10 beers from all over the world on tap plus a good bottled selection. Somewhat crowded we just stayed for one.

The Omnipollo brewery is in Stockholm.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Omnipollo

Zodiak IPA

6.2

X

D

Unfiltered American style IPA
               

 

And given it was next door to the hotel we decided on a nightcap.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Ogre Bacsi

Hunyadi ter 11, Budapest

1067

Comment

Somewhat busier than earlier, there was still plenty of room for us in the rear room and we settled in for the final beer of the day. Very handy having a craft beer bar next door to the hotel!

Brew Your Mind is at Szekszard, Hungary

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Brew Your Mind

Yellow Haze

5.5

X

D

American Pale Ale
               

 

Friday 11 October 2019

This day was down to PV and started with a walk along the Boulevard Erzsebet, past Blaha Lujza ter to Nepszinhaz utca and Tram 28 to the Kocka utca stop along Maglodi utca. This part of Budapest (Kobanya) is largely industrial and the various buildings in the large factory site we were now headed for have been split up into smaller units, four of which are breweries.

 

Brewery

Location

Code

Mad Scientist

Maglodi utca 47, Budapest

1106

Comment

This was the only brewery PV missed on last year’s trip to the area, so he had arranged the beer tour for here. The brewery maybe housed in an old factory building but all the equipment was modern. Our tour guide, Mate, informed us they started in 2016 and now produces some 30,000 litres per month and employ 18 staff. MS do not lager their beer, so in effect produce ale. This is a problem as Hungarian law requires all beer to be lagered. To get around this the brewery has installed the appropriate tank, but just don’t use and lie if asked! They are trying out some wild yeast fermentation in wooden barrels cordoned off from the rest of the brewery to avoid contamination. Some employees are also maturing their own versions of Imperial Stout to be released as special editions.

After an interesting tour we enjoyed our sampling on the loading bay. We could not stay long as they were busy setting up for their open day on Saturday.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Mad Scientist

Jam 72

7.2

X

B

West Coast IPA

Mad Scientist

Mango Bay

5.2

X

B

Mango Milkshake Pale Ale

Mad Scientist

Monkey Temple 

4.6

X

D

Vanilla Hefeweizen (from tank) 

Mad Scientist

Liquid Cocaine

9

X

B

Double IPA 

Mad Scientist

New York Mocaccino

6.6

X

B

Milk Stout
               

 

Around the corner, but still in the same large factory building you find the next brewery,

 

Brewery

Location

Code

MONYO

Maglodi utca 47, Budapest

1106

Comment

As PV had enjoyed a brewery tour here last year he knew there was a small bar and seating area outside. There was some sort of meeting going on in the seating area but at least we had the bar to lean on. There did not seem to be much going on at the brewery but Adrienn, the Office Manager, was manning her desk and willingly got us some bottles to sample and provided the glasses. After a while the meeting broke up and we had the outside area to ourselves.

Mad Scientist have some very distinctive bottle labels, but MONYO’s branding is even more creative and colourful and must stand out in any bottle shop or bar.

The Nut to Butt (it had to be tried) is a collaboration beer with Asterisk Mountain Brewers.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

MONYO

Funky Fritz

4.6

X

B

Kolsch style ale

MONYO

American Beauty

5.6

X

B

American Pale Ale

MONYO

Nut to Butt

6

X

B

American Milk Stout with Pecans
               

 

 

Brewery

Location

Code

Hop Top

Maglodi utca 47, Budapest

1106

Comment

While Mengo were enjoying their beers, PV visited Hop Top, just a few units down from MONYO and asked the nice office girl there, Tamara, if he could buy some bottles. This time a brewer was about and helped with the selection which PV took back to the MONYO bar.

The Midnight Express was gorgeous and much better than a more famous Foreign Export Stout one could mention!

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Hop Top

Green Zone

6.4

X

B

American IPA

Hop Top

Tropical Swinger Club

8

X

B

Fruity Double IPA

Hop Top

Midnight Express

6

X

B

Foreign Extra Stout
               

 

As the next venue had its own seating area we packed up the bottles and glasses, thanked Adrienn for her help, and headed across the yard.

 

Brewery

Location

Code

Horizont

Maglodi utca 47, Budapest

1106

Comment

Tamas, the Fun & Marketing Manager, was quite happy for us to sample some of their beers and lent us the brewery’s new Export Manager, Nathan (from Chicago) for translation purposes. PV was set the task of venturing to the bottle store for the beer selection and on the way through the brewery Tamas showed him the newly installed canning machinery. It was about then that Tamas realised he had met PV in much the same sort of situation the year before! PV mentioned he had emailed for a brewery tour but got no reply. Tamas was surprised as he would have happily arranged a tour for us – perhaps PV could try again the next time we head to Budapest.

With both MONYO and Mad Scientist leading the way on branding, Horizont have upped their game and brought in artwork by Viktoria Feher to enliven their labels and merchandise.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Horizont

Easy A

4.5

X

B

American Pale Ale

Horizont

Gunther von Dusseldorf

5.5

X

B

Altbier

Horizont

Gentle Bastard

6.5

X

B

India Pale Ale

Horizont

Double Gentle Bastard

8

X

B

Double IPA

Horizont

Morning Joe

6

X

B

Breakfast Stout

Horizont

Hazy Queen

6

X

B

New England IPA

Horizont

Double Hazy Queen

8

X

B

Double NEIPA
               

 

Then it was time to bid farewell to Tamas and Nathan and head off for the tram back to the centre. Safely seated aboard the 28, JA dozed off and crashed to the floor. It must have been the Double Gentle Bastard at work!

 

It was definitely time to eat, so PV headed for the streets below Boulevard Erzebet and a bar where he had previously enjoyed the food.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Kandallo

Kertesz utca 33, Budapest

1073

Comment

This modern bar/restaurant has two floors, with the bar and limited seating downstairs and more seating upstairs. They were busy but did have one table available if we were quick! So there was no mucking about with the order and consumption of the burgers and we limited our beers to two.

This swift visit deprived Mengo of one of the enjoyable parts of last year’s visit – the relaxed enjoyment of the fit serving girls - but at least we got something to eat.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Feher Nyul

Freyja

6.5

X

D

Norse IPA

Reczer Ser

T30

5.5

X

D

Milk Stout
               

 

Our next stop was just across the road.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Csak a jo sor!

Kertesz utca 42, Budapest

1073

Comment

The ‘just good beer’ is rather a unique place. Although primarily a beer shop for takeaways, there is limited seating available so you can drink on site. In addition to the vast array of bottles and cans on the shelves and in the fridges there are also up to six draught beers available. The owner, Gergely, also brews his own recipe beers at some of the city’s micros, including Mad Scientist and MONYO, but unfortunately none of his beers were available on our visit. So PV had to rely on Gergely’s bottle/can recommendations.

The bar was busy but Mengo managed to find enough seats by spreading out among the friendly crowd of beer enthusiasts. PV & ROC joined a couple visiting from Sweden; they currently live in Martin’s homeland, but Orsolya is Hungarian. PV got on famously as Martin also liked the black stuff. The rest were happy chatting to Pete and Diane from Sheffield; Diane was taking a weekend break from running The Fat Cat. Then to top it all Tamas turned up; one of his sidelines is running small group tours of the city’s beer culture and tonight he was guiding a couple of Americans, Keith & Sage, around his recommended bars.

The Hopaholic IPA is brewed in collaboration with Csokszkomlo while Flying Monkeys hail from Ontario, Canada.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Armando Otchoa

Hopaholic IPA

6.5

X

C

India Semi Dark

Flying Monkeys

Netherworld

6

X

B

Cascadian Dark Ale

Feher Nyul

Stout

4.5

X

B

As it said on the bottle - STOUT
               

 

It was just round the corner to the next bar.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Hopaholic

Akacfa utca, Budapest

1072

Comment

This bar is also owned by Gergely Kovari, but here the setting is much more modern. The bar, which opens onto the street in warmer times, is rather small and the little amount of seating downstairs was fully occupied. Fortunately there is a mezzanine floor with room for a Mengo party. This being a bar rather than a bottle shop there was 9 draught beers to choose from. PV tried another Hopaholic IPA but this time on draught. The Lompoc brewery was in Portland, Oregon but is now out of business.

The majority of Mengo left after one but PV, ROC & FN stayed for a second and to chat to the Americans who had now been abandoned by Tamas (their beer tour finished here).

Keith was originally from Arizona and Sage (sbdrllevich@gmail.com) from Alaska but the newlyweds now lived in Seattle and were enjoying their honeymoon travelling around Europe for a couple of months. On leaving we wished Keith well; he is going to need it as Sage is rather a fit and feisty woman!

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Armando Otchoa

Hopaholic IPA

6.5

X

D

India Semi Dark, American IPA

Lompoc

Lomporter

6.4

X

D

American Dark Porter
               

 

 

 

Bar

Location

Code

Ogre Bacsi

Hunyadi ter 11, Budapest

1067

Comment

The merry three decided to call in for a couple to finish the day only to find four others (PC, KOC, TM, & RN) had the same idea. The bar duty had been taken over by Sophie who informed PV that Szent Andras had started brewing in 1993 and was one of the first of the new wave of micro-breweries in Hungary.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Brew Your Mind

Yellow Haze

5.5

X

D

American Pale Ale

Szent Andras

Magyar Vandor

5.6

X

D

(Hungarian Horseman) lager/ale hybrid
               

 

Saturday 12 October 2019

Tour leading duties reverted back to ROC, and just in case we had not had enough brewery visits we embarked upon another one. We caught the S72 train from Nyugati station to Ujpest on the northern outskirts of the city and then travelled onwards by bus to Retsag - some 30km north of Budapest. The bus journey took nearly an hour.

 

Brewery

Location

Code

Futohaz Sorfozde

Hunyadi sor 5, Retsag

2651

Comment

The ‘Steam engine depot’ (Futohaz) brewery was started by Istvan Hava some 3 years previously and has already won gold medals at craft beer conventions. Only able to mash 450 litres at a time he brews the same beer twice to fill each 1000 litre fermenting/conditioning tank. And there the beer stays for up to 3 months before bottling. Istvan’s father was engine driver and all the beers were named after locomotives.

The small brewery is attached to the family home; you enter into a small waiting room (where we were shown a short video about the brewery) before moving into the actual brewing area. The mash tun and copper are on the right and the six conditioning tanks on the left. Istvan spoke little English but with translation by his friend, Stefan, expounded upon his brewing philosophy, which was to brew the best beer in the world…..which he thought he had already achieved! The draught beer tasters were from the tanks.

After the tour we purchased a few bottles to sample in the model railway carriage in the front garden. Toilet facilities were available in the house.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Futohaz

V43 Szili

4.6

X

D

Summer Ale infused with beer brandy

Futohaz

Trans Europ Express

5.3

X

B

Belgian Pale Ale

Futohaz

M40 Pupos

5.3

X

B

Dunkel Weizen

Futohaz

M61 Nohab

6.5

X

D

American Imperial Pale Ale

Futohaz

327-139

6.5

X

D

Stout

Futohaz

M63 Bulldog

8.5

X

B

Belgian Strong Golden Ale
               

 

There was time to grab some grub from a local bakery before catching the bus back. With the late arrival of the bus at Ujpest our plans changed and we headed back to Nyugati station on the M2 and headed for Lecso (Szent Istvan korut 10), a Hungarian Fast Food outlet. The food was certainly cheap but the meat in the goulash such poor quality no one managed to eat it all!

However, the subsequent ride on the historic Tram 2 from Mari ter, past the Hungarian Parliament Building and along the River Duna (Danube) to Zsil utca, made up for the disappointing meal.

After searching the length of the Balna (Whale) building (a stylish conversion of an old warehouse) we eventually found our next venue back at the end we started from.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Jonas Kesmuves Sorhaz

Fovam ter 11-12, Budapest

1093

Comment

This dimly lit craft beer house with its industrial interior is at the southern end of the Whale (so named because of the humpbacked shape of the roof), was empty inside and lacked any atmosphere. Not to worry, it was gloriously sunny outside and their large patio provided excellent views across the river to Buda and the hills behind. There was a very nice looking (and smelling) burger outlet at the front of the bar – such a shame we had already eaten.

There are 10 beers on tap with the Jonas house beers brewed by Reketye at Nagytarcsa.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Reketye

Arany Jonas

4.5

X

D

Gassy drinking Kellerbier

Reketye

Ravasc Hod

6

X

D

‘Shitty Beaver’ Brown Ale

Reketye

Kettlesourus

8

 

D

Sour DIPA
               

 

Our next venue took us past the indoor Market Hall and towards the centre of Pest.

 

Bar

Location

Code

MONYO Tap House

Kalvin ter 7, Budapest

1091

Comment

This was certainly not the smartest of bars from the outside, but inside, although rather plain, it was clean and relatively comfortable. More importantly it carried a comprehensive range of MONYO beers on draught and in bottles. There was even one guest draught.

The place was relatively quiet but did pick up with the arrival of a girl’s party. Charlie treated us all too some tortilla chips with cheese and everyone was happy.

The Uradalmi is a micro-brewery in Budapest.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Uradalmi Sormanufaktura

Misty

6

X

D

New England IPA

Beer

Brewer

 

 

 

 

Can’t Take My Tongue Off Of You

MONYO

4.9

X

D

Hefeweizen
               

 

Nearing Astoria, PV recommended at bar he had visited, Fehej (Semmelweis utca 19); they had done an excellent Landbier from Bors. Unfortunately the bar was under different management and the Bors gone. Fortunately just on the corner there is……

 

Bar

Location

Code

Beer Brothers

Kossuth Lajos utca 20, Budapest

1053

Comment

This bar, on the corner with Semmelweis, was newly opened in 2018 and back then, as we passed on our way to Fehej, rarely had any custom. How different a year makes, the place was very busy with all the pavement seating taken. We did manage to squeeze onto a table by the bar. It was a bit uncomfortable so we only stayed for a refresher.

The Oat beer is specially brewed for Beer Brothers by Hopfanatic from Kiskunhalas.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Hopfanatic

Brother May I Have Some OAT

6

X

D

Oat IPA
               

 

Continuing to work our way back to the hotel our next venue was……

 

Bar

Location

Code

First Craft Beer & BBQ

Dob utca 3, Budapest

1072

Comment

This smart First Brewery Taproom was very busy with no room downstairs for a party of our size and we were sent up to the mezzanine. God it was hot up there and not particularly comfortable but at least it was table service so we did not have to struggle up the steep stairs with our drinks. Further snacks were taken here – the goulash really hadn’t done the job.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

First

Evergreen IPA

6

X

D

American IPA

Hedon

Katalin Carno

6.5

X

D

Foreign Extra Stout
               

 

Dob utca lead us past the main streets for night-life in Budapest, with the ‘ruins’, street food courts, clubs and numerous bars centered around Kazinczy utca, and we called in on one of the smaller bars.

 

 

 

Bar

Location

Code

STart Beer Bar

Kazinczy utca 20, Budapest

1077

Comment

This Hungarian craft beer bar is small and on the shabby side of chic. Despite the crocodile queue outside, no one was venturing inside; they were all waiting to get into the Karavan street food court a few metres down the road. Fortunately for the owner, our party of 10 made the place look busy and attracted a few more punters. There was yet another mezzanine floor but we only had to use this one to get to the toilets.

PV had a hazy recollection of visiting the bar before and it all became clear we he sat down – the tables were high and, once clambered aboard, the stools uncomfortable. However it was worth a little bum numbing as the beer list was quite good.

Bigfoot hail from Domony, Hungary.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Horizont

Gentle Bastard IPA

6

X

D

Got hold of a draught version

Bigfoot

Alcatraz

4.5

X

D

Brown porter
               

 

We said goodbye to Charlie here (he was heading off to a club and set course for the hotel.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Ogre Bacsi

Hunyadi ter 11, Budapest

1067

Comment

We of course could not walk past without calling in. They were three beers down and would not be putting any more on today as the bar was closed on Sunday. However, they did have one beer new to us; Where is my Galaxy? The mine of information that is Sophie explained the beer was usually brewed with Galaxy hops but as none were available they substituted Victoria Secret (the hop, not underwear).

There was a rather drunk German in the bar who we made the mistake of talking to. Although he was obviously into his beers – he had been up to the Mad Scientist open day earlier – he turned out to be a racist and altogether a bit of a Nazi.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Brew My Mind

Where Is My Galaxy?

6.5

X

D

New England IPA
               

 

With the bar shut the next day, we bid our farewells to Sophie and headed off to bed.

 

Sunday 13 October 2019

After yet another uninspiring breakfast at the hotel we wandered down Terez korut to change some money (watched by a nefarious character) before catching a Tram 6 to the Petofi hid (bridge). It was then easy enough to find the Boraros ter tram stops under the bridge but the H7 did not leave from them. Eventually we twigged the suburban railway started from a separate station away from the trams and after short wait in the sun we headed off to Csepel.

The sketch map from the station to the brewery/bar was a little, well, sketchy but we got there easily enough.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Rizmajer Kesmuves Sorfozde

Tancsics Mihaly utca 110, Csepel, Budapest

1211

Comment

The brewery was established in 1994 and the uninspiring building probably dates from then. It was a local bar for local people and being well away from the city center it was not surprising no one spoke English. The few drinkers in were watching the sport on the screens doted about the place. Still we made ourselves understood and took our beers into the large beer garden at the rear, Given the beer posters adorning the walls the brewery owners had not embraced the Me Too movement and the beers reflected this Teutonic style.

Certainly not the best beer tried this trip, but have now seen it, done it and Charlie has got a T-shirt (luckily from Mad Scientist not this place).

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Rizmajer

Vilagos

4.3

X

D

Pale lager – Pils by any other name

Rizmajer

Popcorn

6.5

X

D

IPA - Collaboration with Hopfanatic

Rizmajer

Cingulus

6.5

X

D

Porter – undistinguished

Rizmajer

Buza

6.5

X

D

Hefeweizen
               

 

The H7 took us back to Boraros, from where JA decided to walk to our next pub via Petofi hid. The rest took the tram up to Szebadsag hid and crossed into Buda from there – we just beat JA to the bar.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Beer Company

Kemenes utca 4, Budapest

1114

Comment

This branch of the Beer Company chain is situated near the Gellert spa and baths. This cellar bar is quite small but as there was no one there apart from the barmaid, Gabriella, Mengo had plenty of room to spread out. The draught range is limited to 3 but there is a large selection of bottled beer available. More tortilla chips with cheese appeared, again courtesy of Charlie.

Hara’Punk are client brewers; that is they don’t have a brewery themselves and instead brew their beer on someone else’s plant – PV wished they hadn’t bothered.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Hopfanatic

Irish Breakfast

4.5

X

D

Excellent Dry Stout

Feher Nyul

Stout

4.5

X

B

Another one

Hara’Punk

Punk Juice

5.9

X

B

Excessively hoppy IPA
               

 

Staying in Buda and just up the hill on the next side street on Bartok Bella is…….

 

Bar

Location

Code

Keg Sormuvhaz

Bartok Bela utca 9, Budapest

1114

Comment

The entrance to this very smart modern cellar bar/restaurant is on Orlay utca. It is so smart, it all looked a bit clinical but as there are 34 craft beers on tap and it served food, no one really cared about the lack of atmosphere. They were in the middle of their ‘Oktoberfest’ and had a number of German festival style beers.

Although a number of Mengo were more adventurous in their food order, most made the mistake of having yet another burger and PV for one will be quite happy not to see another one for months.

The Zentus Galactic Kitty is a limited edition of their Tropical Kitty dry hopped with Galaxy.

Zentus brew in Szentes, Hungary and Clock is at Potstejn, Czech Republic. Reczer Ser is another client brewer.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Clock

Helga 13º Festbier

5.5

X

D

Marzen Oktoberfest Bier

Reczer Ser

Black Mirror

7.6

X

D

Double Black IPA

Zentus

Galactic Kitty

6

X

D

American style IPA
               

 

We took the tram from Gellert ter back to Astoria in Pest and headed up Rakoczi which is lined with up market shops and cafes.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Neked Csak Dezso

Rakoczi utca 29, Budapest

1088

Comment

As befitting the area this brewpub & bistro is located in, the place was very smart and furnished with large tables and comfortable seating. Apparently it takes it odd name from the slaughtered pig in some obscure Hungarian film, which at least explains the pig marquetry on the wall.  As the place was quiet this late Sunday afternoon we were able to avoid the mezzanine and instead settled in the light and airy downstairs. The atmosphere was very relaxed and the staff laid-back but helpful. There were over 20 beers on tap to sample.

The White Stag is brewed in collaboration with Hackney brewery.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

MONYO

Invisible Bikini

5.5

X

D

Rather flat English style porter, shame

Feher Nyul

White Stag

5.2

X

D

White Stout
               

 

As we were very near the end of Kazinczy utca we ventured down to the street so that the Budapest virgins could get a taste of the party atmosphere and sample a ‘ruin’.

 

 

Bar

Location

Code

Szimpla Kert

Kazinczy utca 14, Budapest

1075

Comment

This is the original ‘ruin’ – a cultural centre of bars and cafes set in an old factory building. The whole place is stripped back to the bare walls, subsequently adorned with graffiti with any piece of rubbish used to ‘furnish’ the multitude of rooms. Altogether a total miss-mash of junk but that is probably the whole point.

The redeeming grace is the Mad Scientist bar, although it must be said they charged well over the odds compared to the other bars we had visited.

Eventually it had to happen – we came across a British stag party; totally pissed and full of tales regarding the stripper they had hired to humiliate the groom.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Mad Scientist

Madhouse

5.5

X

D

Hazy NEIPA
               

 

The boys had had enough but ROC was keen for another so a few of us stayed with him for a final beer. Knowing Ogre was closed we just went in the bar opposite Szimpla.

 

Bar

Location

Code

Legenda

Kazinczy utca, Budapest

1075

Comment

Legenda brewery has a few outlets in Budapest but the main tap on Kiraly had always been closed when we passed. This smaller outlet, decorated with cartoons on the walls, was at least open. Unfortunately, after a busy weekend it had little beer choice left and as we got no sense or interest from the barman, we just had the one and headed back to the hotel.

Brewer

Beer

%

T

 

Comment

Legenda

Pokerface

4.8

X

D

American Pale Ale
               

 

Monday 14 October 2019

After the (still) uninspiring breakfast we headed down to Ferenc ter, had a coffee in Starbucks, and bussed to the airport and the flight home.

All went well until we were on UK soil. The 3 boys with Charlie were alright but the booked taxi for the rest did not turn up. Time for a train and a rather delayed homecoming.