Sudden Death are one my favourite brewers in Germany, but I hadn’t realised that they were based in Lübeck until I actually got to the city, so I was very surprised and delighted. Although it goes to show that my knowledge of German brewers is quite weak, but there are relatively few craft beer outfits like this in the country, so I think that they need support and I was happy to oblige.
I was one of the first people there when they opened at 17:00 because I had limited time to get to my train which left a couple of hours later and the railway station was nearly a thirty minute walk. There was a friendly welcome from a team member although she noted that she’d have to move things about as I didn’t have a reservation. That was helpful, although they were able to seat everyone coming in without a reservation for the next hour, but I appreciated the engagement and immediate welcome.
This is a taproom and so their main brewery equipment dominates the environment and it all looks clean, shiny and well presented. There was table service offered to customers which made matters easier, so I didn’t have to go to the bar at any stage.
It started to get busy with a couple of large groups taking up the tables near the brewing equipment, but it felt organised and well managed. There are some fridges with cans in, but I thought I’d just try the beers in their home environment as it were.
I looked at the menu and decided quite quickly that I’d like food. I’m decisive like that.
I asked if they did flights and I was pleased to discover that they did, with a choice of (i) their core beers, (ii) their newer releases or (iii) anything you wanted. I decided to go with the middle option initially and the beers were from left to right:
Bliss in the Field – anything inspired by Trillium is likely to be good and this was punchy in the hops, almost a TIPA intensity, hazy and rounded.
Brick by Brick – a bit rustic, bit smooth, there was a bitter flavour and it was quite intense, all being something a little different.
Hop Ripper (Cascade) – this was piney, light coloured and maybe slightly thin, but it was pleasant enough.
Pilsener Program v.01 – it’s a Pilsner and they don’t excite me, but it was clean and light.
The pizza arrived and it was slightly heavy, but I didn’t let that stop me. It was the taco pizza with some Mexican based toppings and the flavours were robust and it all was all rather lovely.
I then got muddled up and ordered another flight, but these things happen. This time I chose my own four beers from their brewery and they were from left to right:
Brewpub Anniversary Special 4 – this was hazy, tropical, punchy and hoppy.
Echoes of Collapse – juicy, rich, hazy, tropical and fruity.
Eat My Haze 2 Fully Loaded – hazy, peach and mango flavours, tropical and nicely rounded with plenty of hops.
Blabarsoppa – this was the best of all the eight beers that I tried, so I left the best until last. Flavours of blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry and plum, with the whole arrangement being lightly tart. Absolutely delicious and it was good to see them making sours.
There were a couple of guest options as well, but I thought I might as well try beers from the brewery whilst I was here. I’ve had beers from Sudden Death a few times before, but all of the eight I tried here were new to me.
There’s the Untappd screen and two of my check-ins. I still get excited about this despite having been on Untappd for eight years, so I really should get out more.
Some of their can art, it’s decorative and interesting.
Overall, I really enjoyed this visit and it was like being in a brewpub in the United States, this was as on-trend as a German brewery is going to get. The team members were friendly, the venue was spotlessly clean, the glasses were in good condition and all of the beers were above average and some verged towards excellent. They deserve their reputation of being one of the best breweries in German and I’m hoping that this sort of venue is very much part of Germany’s brewing future. When I left all of the seats were taken, so things seem to be going well and the reviews are all very positive. All really very lovely.