Hanover

Hanover is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Locals love Hanover for the low cost of living; good public transport; wealth of museums, theatre, live music and other arts and cultural events; and the city's proximity to green spaces. The spectacularly Baroque Herrenhäuser Gärten, the constructed Lake Maschsee and the Eilenriede, Europe's largest urban forest, are all close at hand. That said, most Germans groan at the first mention of Hanover, whose dialect is regarded as the closest tongue to High German. Perhaps it's a complex socio-linguistic thing – or perhaps they're just jealous of the laid-back lifestyle.

So lets go exploring the Bar's of Hanover as of June 2022 there are three (3) working breweries so what better place to start than by having a look at them;

Brauhaus Ernst August, Schmiedestrasse 13

Hours: Mon - Sat 11.00 - 00.00

A large, modern brewpub and entertainment complex thing about 10 mins from HBF. Inside the venue is decorated in the typical wood panels, with modern pine furniture, everything is smart and tidy. There are three sections, one is for live music, with an American flair? The second one is in the faux sports bar style also with an American feel. The main section is trying to come across as a modern take on a German beer hall, with lots of hops over the bar etc. Plus there is outside seating. The brew kit is prominently located in shiny copper and brass and is used. The beer quality varies from very good to poor. Plus it's not cheap and in small glasses too. There is almost always a seasonal beer alongside the three regulars. A big plus is the happy hour, 1,90€ for 0,4l beer. The service is as nice as a German expects service to be. The food is nice and typical "heavy" German food.

Meiers Lebenslust Restauration und Hausbrauerei, Osterstraße 64

Hours: Daily 11.30 - 00.00

Located in the busy centre of Hannover, a tram ride from the HBF. This venue is a spacious restaurant-cum-brewpub. Inside the brew kit is quite prominent, copper covered in brick. Row's of dark wooden table and chairs obviously one of those places, where the beer brewed seems to be just an addition to the food and ambiance? Plus there is outside seating. Usually three house beers and a seasonal, all are quaffable if not outstanding. The food is rather good and not expensive, just regular German prices. Service is OK, the ambiance is fine, a place to get your ticks and then move on!

Mashsee Brauerei GmbH & Co. KG, Am Eisenwerk 17

Hours: Tours only

A sensational Craft beer Brewery that was founded in 2014 by a couple of forward thinking brewer's. They create a great range of craft beers encompassing most styles. An absolutely great place for beer connoisseurs.

Craft Bier Bar, Ballhofplatz 7

Hours: Tues - Sat 16.30 - 00.00

A nice and modern craft beer bar in the Heart of Hannover. (There are 3 other bars in other cities run by the same company) Inside it has quite an urban hipsteresque ambiance, lots of wood and bricks with some prints of  Tin Tin on the walls, and some neon. They have an amazing 24 beers on tap, and its always possible to try before order. Nice and "beer" Knowledge staff. The prices are a little of the Top, but ok.  A must visit while in Hannover!

GIG Linden, Lindener Marktpl 1

Hours: Tues - Sat 16.30 - 01.00

The GiG could be described as the "Hannover Craft Beer Bar"? From the outside it looks like a former church due to the amount of arched windows and stained glass. But it has never served for religious practices. The ambiance is pretty cool if not rather a Baroque-tragedy, with the stained glass and brick walls being rather pleasant and the old furniture adding to the cosy feel. There are two floors the top one looks down onto the main bar that has 16 taps "a lot for Germany" and while the selection is not stellar and seems to be rather Belgian-cantered, it still is an interesting place to quaff a few beers. There are flights available so you can try lots of beers without going for a "pint". There are also a couple of shuffle board table for friendly competitions. There is also a small patio for alfresco drinking. There is a small menu and the staff are nice. Located in Linden, its quite easy to get by a tram or buses.

Wohnzimmer, Maschstrasse 5

Hours: Daily 16.00 - 00.00

A small bar in the Aegi area, quite close to the Craft Beer Kontor and Mashsee brewery. Inside "Klein aber fein!" it looks like a living room indeed, quite cosy, with a couple of tables of outside seating. They have 10 taps, half craft, half macro The bottle selection is very good. The staff are friendly, check it out and see for yourselves.

Paulaner am Thielenplatz, Prinzenstr 1

Hours: Daily 11.00 - 12.00

A typical Paulaner chain pub, large and typical rustic / old-fashioned Bavarian interior, lots of dark wood panel's and murals on the walls lots of seating. Also a nice beer garden, depending on weather conditions. Plus the full range of beers including Salvator on tap! The food is excellent with gigantic portions plus very affordable. In here you will say "Grüß Gott" automatically. Located quite near the main HBF. The staff are typical German.

Craft Beer Kontor, Schlaegerstrasse 17

Hours: Wed-Fri 14.00-20.00, Sat 12.00-18.00

A must-visit for any craft beer lover visiting Hannover. It’s a nice little back-yard bottle shop with a wide selection of craft beers from Germany and afar. With 2 rotating craft beers on tap, often on Fridays, there are microbreweries presenting their beers on tap. There are also fridges full of hard to find treats. The selection is not big, but there a many styles. The biggest problem with the shop is that there are close to no price tags, but the prices seem reasonable. They also host beer tastings sessions. They also have small pilot brewery in the back. Recommended.

GetränkeKult, Lichtenbergplatz 7

Hours: Mon - Thurs 11.00 - 13.00 & 15.00 - 21.00 Fri - Sat 11.00 - 19.00

A nice little beer shop in a nice part of Hanover. The selection is good for a German bottle shop. Most of the selection is German beer. You can even get Hopfenweiße, which is even hard to find in Munich! When the bottles are close to their best before date they are cheaper. Service was good.

Shakespeare, Gutenberghof 3

Hours:Daily 17.00 - 02.00

A nice, old English style pub 5 min walk from the central station (HBF). The selection is normal trendy bar! The food is tasty and there is typical pub entertainment like quiz or bingo. There is also a beer, specially brewed for this pub. The service is nice and even with a full pub quite fast.