The best places in the city to enjoy an al fresco beer… 

It was decreed by Albert V of Bavaria that only during the period from the feast of St. Michael to the festival of St George could beer be brewed. This led to breweries storing beer underground, usually along river banks, beneath the cool shade of chestnut trees.

Inevitably, some genius (or perhaps drunkard) realized that the combination of cold beer in the pleasant shade made for the perfect summer spot: thus, the beer garden was born.

Although our modern interpretations of the historic Biergarten often differ from the traditional guidelines – traditional ‘rules’ included that shade must come from trees not umbrellas, and that no fast food would be served, only solid meals – we still enjoy them on sweltering summer days with as much veracity as our beer swilling ancestors before us.

Berlin has its own proud tradition of brewing and is subsequently host to a decent range of beer gardens, ranging from the classic to the contemporary, where cocktails are served alongside cool draft beers, and beach chairs and wifi are freely available. Here’s our pick of the best…

Bierhof Rüdersdorf

Most Berliners associate Berghain with sweaty ravers and all night techno sessions. But right out back is the lesser known Bierhof Rüdersdorf, which comprises a restaurant, a smattering of pleasant foliage and ample seating for exhausted clubbers and afternoon punters alike. The grill usually roars to life around 6pm serving up a range of barbecue dishes, though the 10am breakfast is particularly popular – especially for those who enjoy a nice frothy pint along with their bacon and eggs.

Rüdersdorfer Straße 70, 10243 Berlin, T: 030 29360215; U Weberwiese, Open Mon-Sat from 4pm, Sunday from 10am

Brachvogel

Located in das grüne Herz am Ufer (the green heart on the bank) along the Landwehrkanal across from the