The one problem with good beers is that we can’t enjoy them in unlimited quantity. At Macskakő Sörtársaság, we feel great temptation to try all the beverages that could be fit on the shelves of the tiny shop. The brasserie opened at the bottom of the Castle District in September, and in addition to nearly 50 types of beer, it also offers 13 types of whiskey and wines, as well as gluten-free options.
The Buda side of the city isn’t overflowing with craft and high-quality beers as much as Pest, although the Belgian brassieres of Bem Quay and the Hunyadi Apartment Bistro near Fishermen’s Bastion are serious competitors in the game. Another player to join is Macskakő Sörtársaság (“Cobblestone Beer Company” in English): Fiáth János Street turns to the historic district near Széll Kálmán Square and Széna Square, covered in cobblestones and steep enough to make us feel like we deserve a cold brew once we reach the brasserie.
For a long time, Macskakő Kávézó (“Cobblestone Café” in English) stood under Fiáth Street 8, offering draft commercial beer and soccer-match screenings – right until its closure in February. The new owners began shaping the place with a different concept in mind, although the design didn’t change much. A minimal style dominates in the more than 30 square meter brasserie, and its previous rustic walls were left as they were, as well.
The owners are slightly skeptical about the craft cult, so they keep high-quality, large-scale brand beers, as well: this way, the ratio is roughly 50-50, and two-thirds of the selection is Hungarian. Rothbeer Brewery’s beers like Távoli Galaxis and Bakancslista are a must-have, but they also have Peeping Tom from Balkezes and various items from Etyeki Beer Manufactory or Monyo. The prices are that of an average brasserie, but when justified, they can get higher: for example, various beers of the Scottish Beerdog are available here, and the chocolate and chili flavored, Brewdog DOG E imperial stout with 16% alcohol content costs 4,500 forints.
We can find alternatives for all types of beer: the light American pale ale (Monyo American Beauty, Fourpure, Rothbeer Houston), the black and strong imperial stout (Etyeki Baltazár, Camba Bavaria Black Pearl), the red (Fourpure: Flatiron and Rothbeer: Redfive) and brown ale (Rochefort 10 és Pardubicky Porter). They have two types of Bavarian wheat beer, Maisel's Weisse and Jeff's Bavarian Ale, and ten types of Belgian specialties. Due to the brasserie’s size, there are only two taps, one with a more traditionally flavored beer and one with something a little extra – the contents of these change continuously.We tasted a strong ale, Robinsons Old Tom with 8% alcohol content (990 HUF), and followed up with a syrup-like ginger ale, Cornish Orchards with 4% alcohol content (1,090 HUF). Those who would like to avoid liquor can enjoy some alcohol-free dandelion beer and root beer. Moreover, the brasserie has some gluten-free beer, as well: Brok, with 5.2% alcohol content (490 HUF).
Wine enthusiasts have nothing to fear here either, as they can choose from the K2 Blaufränkisch of Szelesház Vineyard, the rosé and Parola of Losonci Winery, and the SXRD of Heimann Winery, not to mention the abundance of whiskeys. The pub can fit 10-15 people comfortably, so we shouldn’t expect parties here, just a quality beer selection and a more intimate atmosphere. We recommend approaching the brasserie walking from the Buda Castle, as after downing a few beers, it will be easier to walk down a slope than to climb uphill.
