Out and about here and there
There is so much art on view in Friedrichshain that this post in no ways represents a comprehensive list. It is merely some of the art that I came across in my two recent trips to the area. They are the pieces that caught my interest at the time. Where possible I have quoted locations or approximate locations, the problem with wandering round an area is that I don’t always record notes of where I was when I saw a particular piece.
Friedrichshain was formerly part of East Berlin and is now a highly popular neighbourhood with a thriving cafe/bar culture. It attracts young, artistic and dynamic people giving it a nice atmosphere and feel. It is certainly an area worth spending a little time in on a visit to the city.
East Side Gallery
A 1.3 Km section of the Berlin Wall with over 100 murals which are free to view 24 hours a day. Access can be either from Ostbanhof or Warschauer Straße S Bahn stations depending on which end of the wall you want to start. The gallery gets very busy so it is good to get there early in the day before the tourists and coach tours arrive. You can read more about my visit here.
Karl Marx Allee.
Berlin was badly damaged in World War II and in the years following the end of the war massive reconstruction took place. Karl Marx Allee was built between 1952 and 1960 and represented the crown jewel for the communist German Democratic Republic. It is almost 100 metres wide and just over 2Km in length. Its size reflects its importance at the time, it was the site of the annual May Day parades where the military would show off missiles and tanks complete with thousands of marching soldiers. The pavements here are very wide to accommodate the crowds. The buildings were designed in what has become known as the Stalinist style, usually eight storey, and consisted of thousands of apartments which were very well equipped for the time and were a highly regarded place to live by some. To walk the boulevard is like a step back in time and it’s well worth a visit.
Oberbaum Bridge.
The Oberbaum Bridge was constructed in 1896 and crosses the River Spree, linking together Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Its a double decker bridge with a roadway below and the U-Bahn line on the upper deck. During the Cold War the bridge separated East and West Berlin and was only open as a border crossing for pedestrians. Following reunification the bridge was restored and is a significant symbol of unity for the city. There are lots of bridges in Berlin but the Oberbaum is probably the most iconic.
RAW Gelände
RAW Gelände, located off Revaler Straße, originally opened in 1867 as a train repair depot and carriage sheds. It was badly damaged in World War II, as was much of the city, and was finally closed in 1994. Since then it has become home to artist spaces, clubs, bars, cafes and markets. There is even a climbing wall and Europes largest indoor skate park. It is a lively bustling community with something for everyone, especially on a warm, sunny evening. It also has a thriving street art scene which is well worth having a look at.
Yaam Beach Bar
Yaam (Young African Art Market) is located on the banks of the River Spree close to Schillingbrücke and the nearby Ostbahnhof railway station. For a mere 1 Euro entry fee you get market stalls, club, colourful murals, reggae music, food stalls and a beach bar to name but a few. It is a chilled space where you can easily while away an hour or so.
The Northern Monk brewery and taproom is located in Holbeck, south west of the city centre and a short 15 minute walk from Leeds City Station. It is located in an old flax store and mill which makes an interesting change from brewery taps in industrial units and railway arches. The building itself is not only characterful but is grade II listed and is a reminder of this areas significant contribution to the importance and wealth of the city in the nineteenth century.
The original brewery opened in 2014 and is located on the ground floor. It no longer has the capacity of production required so in 2017 a new brewery was opened which now means that they can brew a significant number of different beers between the two sites at the same time. It is possible to tour the flax store brewery with tours conducted at 1.30 and 3.30 each Saturday afternoon. Tours cost £10 and involve a 45 minute tour including three tasting samples. It is probably advisable to book tours in advance via the company website.
The Refectory tap room is located on the first floor and they have created a welcoming space with plenty of seating and adequate table space. At the time of my visit there were 16 keg lines serving a good range of styles of beer. Food is also available and prices seem very reasonable. The second floor consists of the Chapter Hall which is available for private hire/functions. They have also created an outdoor beer garden for those special days when it is possible to drink beer outside. The Refectory and beer garden are open everyday except Monday.
I have long admired the beers of Northern Monk. Their beers are always innovative, superbly well crafted and very drinkable. They don’t ever stand still for very long as they are continually looking for ways to move forward with their brews and packaging. The Patrons Project was founded to explore the possibilities of collaboration to further seek ou creativity and excellence. Each release, there have been 17 so far, consists of 7 beers with specially commissioned artwork. You can catch up and find out more about the collaborations here.
Eternal. Session IPA. 4.4%. Yellow gold in colour with a slight haze and a thin white head. Aromas of lemon, malt, orange and pine. Low-medium bitterness with nice carbonation. Crisp and dry with a touch of bitter orange on the finish.
Faith. Pale Ale. 5.1%. Yellow and hazy with a good white head. Aromas of tropical mango, orange and malt. Low bitterness and gentle carbonation. Palate is tropical with a good dash of orange. Nicely balanced.
Neopolitan. Ice Cream Pale. 6%. Neopolitan ice cream was a staple of Sunday afternoon tea as I grew up. This beer is a collaboration I believe with Little Leeds Beerhouse. It’s light amber, hazy and with a thin white head. Strawberry with a hint of vanilla on the nose just as it should be. Low bitterness, gentle carbonation and a nice texture. This really does taste like Neapolitan ice cream with a lovely light chocolate on the finish.
Doom Stooge. Fruited IPA. 7.2%. Orange/yellow, murky with a very thin off white head and some lacing. Low bitterness, soft carbonation and a slightly creamy texture. Not sure about this one, not unpleasant with a whole range of flavours; red fruits, peach, apricot, plum and a hint of floral.
Seismic Shift. DDH IPA. 8.5%. Part of the Patrons Project series 13 release when in can. Yellow, decidedly murky with thinnish white head. Aromas of mango, pineapple and orange. Low bitterness, nice carbonation and great texture. There is sweetness on the palate, which is dominated by tropical fruit and orange, but it is not overly sweet.
Glory. Triple IPA. 10.5%. Yellow, hazy with a white head. Complex aromas of pineapple, mango, banana and passion fruit. The palate has low bitterness, gentle carbonation and great mouthfeel. Flavours are topical with a hint of orange on the finish.
