Hamburg Beer Festival

Hamburg's Homage to the Art of Brewing

For several years now, the Hamburg Beer Festival has been the fixed meeting point for the North German craft beer scene, held around Pentecost. The venue is the Altes Mädchen, the brewery of Ratsherrn Brauerei in the Schanzenhöfe — a former barracks from the 1880s, now one of the city's most distinctive gastronomic addresses. In the Altona district, on the edge of the Schanzenviertel, brewers, sommeliers, and beer lovers gather between brick vaults and the courtyard for this weekend.

What to Expect

More than 19 breweries present their ranges — including established Hamburg breweries, microbreweries from Schleswig-Holstein, and international guests. You'll receive small tasting glasses, move from stand to stand, and can have the story behind each beer explained directly by the brewmaster. Parallel to this, live concerts take place on the small stage, and DJs take over in the evenings.

Street Food, Tattoos, Engraving

In Hamburg, beer naturally goes with fish rolls, but also burgers, BBQ, vegan options, and a rotating street food selection. Those who wish can have their glasses engraved for free or visit the tattoo artists who regularly accompany the festival. Advance tickets guarantee entry until 6 PM; after that, admission is at the door based on capacity.

Altona District — Beer with Neighborhood History

The Schanzenviertel has always been associated with beer: Breweries like Bavaria-St. Pauli and Holsten shaped the neighborhood as early as the 19th century. With Ratsherrn, this tradition has returned in a modern guise. The festival seamlessly fits into this history, turning a classic summer evening in the Schanze into a beer event with depth.