Craft Beer in Belgrade – Where to Drink & What to Expect

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Key Takeaways:

Craft beer in Belgrade is easy to find. The city has craft beer bars with rotating taps, brewery taprooms and, in summer, riverside bars where you can drink local beer by the water.

Beer is usually served in half-liter glasses, English is common in craft bars, and tipping is not obligatory.

If you don’t want to look for bars on your own, a guided craft beer tasting or a pub crawl takes you to several places in one evening.

The Craft Beer Scene in Belgrade

Belgrade isn’t just about rakija. Over the past decade or so, craft beer in Belgrade has grown from a few small brewers into a real scene. You’ll find it in specialist bars, brewery taprooms and on the menus of regular cafés and restaurants.

Serbian craft beer brands such as Kabinet, Dogma, Gvint and Salto often show up on taps and in fridges around the city. Next to them you’ll usually see a few imported craft beers and the big Serbian lagers that most locals still drink every day.

The styles are what you’d expect in any European craft bar: IPAs and pale ales, stouts and porters, wheat beers, sours and seasonal releases. Some brewers use local ingredients, like fruit or honey, so ask what’s new on tap. Seasonal beers come and go, and the list in a good bar can change from week to week.

The mood is relaxed. Most craft beer bars are casual places where you can sit for hours, and staff are usually happy to let you taste before you order and explain what each beer is.

Where to Drink Craft Beer in Belgrade

There are three main kinds of places to drink craft beer in Belgrade.

• Craft beer bars: bars with rotating taps from several Serbian and foreign brewers. They’re the easiest way to try a lot of beers in one place. Many also serve snacks or simple food.
• Brewery taprooms: some Belgrade breweries run their own bars, where you drink the beer close to where it’s made and often get the freshest batches.
• Riverside bars in summer: in the warm months, life moves to the Sava and the Danube. Floating bars and riverside terraces mostly pour regular lager, but some also have craft beer.

Finding craft beer near you

Most visitors stay in the center, and that’s where most of the bars are too. Areas like Dorćol and Savamala have a lot of bars within walking distance, so you can easily visit two or three in one evening.

The quickest way to find a Belgrade craft beer bar near your hotel is to search “craft beer” in a map app and check recent reviews and opening hours. Bars open and close often, so a list from a few years ago may be out of date. Opening hours also change between summer and winter, so check them on the day you go.

Craft Beer Tours in Belgrade

A tour saves you the guesswork. A local guide picks the bars, tells you what to order and explains the beers and the city along the way. It’s a good option on your first night, if you’re traveling alone or if you don’t want to plan.

If you care most about the beer, choose a guided craft beer tasting on foot. If you’d like to cover more of the city, there’s also an e-scooter tour that combines sightseeing with craft beer and brewery stops. For more options, see all our Belgrade brewery tour listings.

If you want a party more than a tasting, a pub crawl is the better choice. It’s less about beer styles and more about meeting people and seeing Belgrade’s nightlife. Compare the options on our Belgrade pub crawl page.

Local Beer Culture Tips

A few things to know before you order:

• Glass size: draft beer in Serbia usually comes in half-liter (0.5 L) glasses, which is more than an American pint. Many craft bars also offer smaller pours (0.3 L or 0.33 L), which helps if you want to try several beers.
• Tipping: tipping is not obligatory in Belgrade. It’s a personal choice. Many people round up the bill or leave some change if they liked the service.
• Prices: craft beer costs more than the big Serbian lagers, and the price depends on the bar and the style. Prices change often, so check current prices before you go. For a wider picture of costs, read our guide on whether Belgrade is expensive.
• Language: staff in most craft beer bars speak English, so ordering and asking for recommendations is easy.
• Smoking: smoking indoors is still allowed in some bars in Serbia. If that bothers you, check before you sit down or choose a place with a terrace.

Many craft beer bars also serve food, from cured meats and local cheeses to burgers and vegetarian plates. If you want to know what to order with your beer, our guide to Serbian food covers the classics.

IPAs are popular, but don’t skip the local lagers, wheat beers and fruit beers. And ask the staff. People who work in craft bars usually like talking about beer and will point you to something new.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is craft beer popular in Belgrade?

Yes. Belgrade has many craft beer bars and several local breweries, and craft beer is now a normal part of a night out in the city. Mass-market lager is still what most locals drink, though.

What types of craft beer can I find in Serbia?

Serbian brewers make lagers, wheat beers, IPAs and pale ales, stouts, sours and seasonal beers. Some use local ingredients like fruit or honey.

Where is the best area for craft beer in Belgrade?

The city center. Dorćol and Savamala have many bars close together, so you can walk from one to the next. In summer, also look at the bars along the rivers.

Are there English-speaking bartenders in most craft beer bars?

Yes, especially in central bars that get a lot of visitors. Staff can usually explain the beers and help you choose.

Can I take a beer tasting tour in Belgrade?

Yes. There are guided craft beer tastings on foot, an e-scooter tour with brewery stops, and pub crawls if you want more of a party. A tasting is better if you want to learn about the beer. A pub crawl is better if you want to meet people.

How much does a craft beer cost in Belgrade?

It depends on the bar and the beer. Craft beer costs more than regular Serbian lager, and imported or special beers cost more still. Prices change often, so check current prices before you go.

Is it common to tip in Belgrade beer bars?

Tipping is not obligatory. It’s a personal choice. Many people round up the bill or leave small change if they’re happy with the service.

Final Thoughts

Craft beer is one of the easiest ways to spend a relaxed evening in Belgrade. Start with a bar in the center, order a small pour of something local and ask what’s new. If you’d rather have someone show you around, book one of the tastings above, or see what else the city has to offer on our Belgrade tours page.