Ratsherrn Brauerei GmbH is Hamburg’s independent city brewery at Lagerstraße 30a, 20357 Hamburg, Germany, in the Schanzenhöfe complex on the edge of Sternschanze. Brewing here since 2012, Ratsherrn revived a Hamburg beer name for a contemporary, hop-conscious brewery rooted in the city’s port-and-pub culture. Travelers come to see where the beer is made, join a guided brewery visit when scheduled, eat and drink next door at Altes Mädchen, and take home bottles and cans from the beer-specialist shop.
What to Expect at Ratsherrn Brauerei GmbH
This is a working production brewery rather than a museum with permanent displays. The main attraction is the brewing operation: guided visits focus on the route from malt and hops through the brewhouse to fermentation and conditioning tanks, with staff explaining how different beer styles are built. Availability depends on the brewery’s programme, so tours should be reserved before making a special trip. The industrial setting inside Schanzenhöfe gives the visit a distinctly urban Hamburg character, rather than the rural setting associated with many German breweries.
Pair the brewery with Altes Mädchen, the adjoining braugasthaus, where a broad tap list puts Ratsherrn beers alongside food designed for beer drinking. The adjacent specialist retail offer is useful for comparing the core range with limited and seasonal releases, or for assembling gifts to take home. Expect the experience to be centred on tasting, brewing craft and casual dining; it is not a formal historic exhibition. Bring photo ID if you intend to drink alcohol, and check the current selection on arrival, as taps and packaged releases change.
- Working brewhouse: See the production context behind Ratsherrn’s Hamburg-brewed beer on a scheduled guided visit.
- Beer tasting: Brewery programming commonly includes tasting, allowing visitors to compare styles with guidance from staff.
- Altes Mädchen: The on-site braugasthaus combines Ratsherrn pours with substantial beer-friendly meals.
- Specialist beer shopping: Browse bottled and canned beer for gifts, travel supplies and later tasting.
- Schanzenhöfe setting: Explore an industrial-commercial courtyard complex between Sternschanze, Karolinenviertel and the Messe district.
Ratsherrn Brauerei GmbH at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Lagerstraße 30a, 20357 Hamburg, Germany |
| Neighborhood / Area | Schanzenhöfe, beside Sternschanze and Karolinenviertel |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday–Saturday, 12pm–8pm; closed Sunday and Monday. Confirm before travel, especially for tours and holidays. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | There is no admission charge to visit the hospitality and retail areas. Guided brewery tours are paid and require advance booking; current dates and prices are listed on the official website. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45–60 minutes for a drink or shop visit; allow 1.5–2.5 hours with a tour and meal. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Feldstraße U-Bahn station (U3) is about a 5–8 minute walk; Sternschanze S- and U-Bahn station is roughly 10–15 minutes on foot. Paid parking is limited around Schanzenhöfe. |
| Official Website / Phone | ratsherrn.de · +49 40 380728920 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive soon after the noon opening on Tuesday through Thursday for the calmest chance to browse or settle in before after-work demand. Friday and Saturday are better for a sociable beer-and-dinner stop, but reserve a table at Altes Mädchen and book any brewery tour in advance. Brewery tours follow a fixed programme rather than walk-in museum hours, so do not assume that turning up during opening hours guarantees production-floor access. The U3 to Feldstraße is the simplest public-transport approach; from there, walk west along the Messe/Schanzenhöfe side streets. Drivers should plan on paid garages or limited paid street spaces and avoid relying on a space directly outside.
The venue sits in an urban commercial complex with paved approaches, but a guided route through an operating brewery can involve operational thresholds, close equipment and changing circulation. Travelers using a wheelchair, bringing a stroller, or needing an accessible toilet should contact Ratsherrn before booking so staff can confirm the step-free route for that specific tour and service period. Nearby, the Karolinenviertel begins a few minutes east for independent shops and cafés; Rindermarkthalle St. Pauli is about 10 minutes away for food counters; and the Planten un Blomen park edge is within roughly 10–15 minutes on foot. The Schanzenstraße and Schulterblatt area also make an easy continuation for dinner or nightlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Ratsherrn Brauerei GmbH open, and when is the best time to visit?
The listed hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm to 8pm, with Sunday and Monday closed. Early afternoon on a weekday is usually the most practical time for a quieter drink, shopping visit or meal. Check the official site for holiday changes and tour times.
Do I need tickets or reservations?
No ticket is needed for the retail and hospitality areas. Guided brewery tours are paid experiences and should be booked ahead through Ratsherrn’s official website, where current prices, dates, language information and inclusions are published. Reserve Altes Mädchen separately for peak dining periods.
How much time should I budget?
Allow 45 to 60 minutes to browse the shop and have a beer. Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours if you have a scheduled tour, tasting and a meal at Altes Mädchen. Add walking time if continuing through Karolinenviertel or toward Planten un Blomen.
Is Ratsherrn suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can visit the dining and retail areas, though the central focus is beer and alcohol service is restricted by German law. The paved Schanzenhöfe approach is stroller-friendly, but wheelchair users and families with strollers should confirm step-free access and facilities when reserving a brewery tour.
When planning your Hamburg travel guide or browsing verified brewery in Hamburg, pair this stop with standout local spots including Team Breakout | HAMBURG, blanco coffee, Fahrradtour Hamburg, and Schulterblatt 60 (0.4 km away).
