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The Garden Brewery: Zagreb’s Most Exported Craft Beer Brand and EU Championship Winner

Bok! Step into the world of The Garden Brewery — Zagreb’s most internationally celebrated craft beer producer and one of the most exciting breweries in Central Europe. Founded in 2016, The Garden didn’t just enter the Croatian craft beer scene; it redefined what was possible, becoming the first Croatian brewery to produce beer in cans and the most successfully exported craft brand the country has ever produced.

Named after the legendary Garden Festival that put Croatia on the global music map, The Garden Brewery shares that same spirit of creativity, energy, and international ambition. Operating from a purpose-built facility in East Zagreb with 20 taps and a sprawling outdoor area that hosts live music and DJ sets, this brewery is as much a cultural venue as it is a beer producer.

Voted EU Championship Brewery in both 2019 and 2020, The Garden has proven that Croatian craft beer belongs in the same conversation as the very best in Europe. Their beers are available in 25 countries — and counting. Let’s explore what makes this brewery truly special.

Growing Something Great: The History of The Garden Brewery

The Garden Brewery was founded in 2016 by the team behind the legendary Garden Festival — a music and culture brand that had already made Croatia famous among international visitors. Having spent years importing the best craft beers from around the world for their events, the founders decided the time had come to make their own. They built a state-of-the-art facility in the Peščenica-Žitnjak district of East Zagreb, investing in both the brewing equipment and the experience around it.

From day one, The Garden thought internationally. They were the first Croatian brewery to package their beers in cans — a format that was revolutionising the global craft beer market for its freshness, portability, and premium perception. This decision gave them access to export markets that bottled beers couldn’t easily reach, and by 2018 their beers were crossing borders into neighbouring EU countries. By the early 2020s, they had reached 25 countries across Europe and beyond.

Their back-to-back EU Championship Brewery titles in 2019 and 2020 validated what Croatian beer enthusiasts already knew: The Garden was producing world-class beer. The brewery taproom — with 20 taps, a large outdoor terrace, regular live music, and DJ events — became one of Zagreb’s must-visit destinations, attracting both locals and beer tourists from across Europe.

The Taste: The Garden’s Award-Winning Lineup

The Garden’s portfolio focuses on hop-driven styles, modern sours, and bold stouts — always brewed with the freshest possible ingredients:

Core Range

• Oseka (Hazy Session IPA): The Garden’s most approachable beer and arguably their biggest seller. Brewed with Azacca and Simcoe hops, Oseka delivers tropical and citrus aromas in a light, easy-drinking session format. At around 4% ABV, it’s the perfect gateway into The Garden’s world.
• Milkshake IPA (6.2% ABV): A decadent, dessert-like IPA brewed with lactose, strawberry, and vanilla. Thick, creamy, and almost milkshake-smooth — this beer caused a sensation when released and remains one of their most talked-about offerings.
• West Coast IPA (Triple Dry Hopped): For those who want their hops in full force. Bright, resinous pine and grapefruit dominate, backed by a clean, dry finish.
• Kettle Sour: Tart, refreshing, and often brewed with seasonal fruit additions, their kettle sours have developed a dedicated following among Croatian craft beer fans.

Limited & Collaborative Releases

The Garden regularly collaborates with international breweries and releases limited-edition beers timed to seasons and special events. Their taproom always features exclusive brews unavailable anywhere else — another reason to make the journey to East Zagreb in person.

Cultural Force: The Garden’s Place in Croatian Life

• Export Ambassador: With beers in 25 countries, The Garden has done more to promote Croatian craft beer internationally than any other single producer — effectively acting as the country’s craft beer ambassador to the world.
• Can Revolution: By pioneering canned craft beer in Croatia, they normalised a premium packaging format and opened new distribution channels that other Croatian breweries have since followed.
• Live Music & Events: The Garden taproom is a genuine cultural venue — hosting concerts, DJ nights, food markets, and seasonal events that bring thousands of visitors to East Zagreb.
• Championship Credibility: Their EU Championship titles gave Croatian craft beer a credibility it had been building toward — proof that homegrown brewing could compete with the continent’s finest.

Perfect Pairings: The Garden Beers with Food

• Oseka (Session IPA) + Fried Seafood: Light enough not to overpower, with enough hop character to complement battered calamari, fish and chips, or fried shrimp.
• Milkshake IPA + Cheesecake or Fruit Tarts: Lean into the dessert nature of this beer and pair it with sweet, creamy desserts. A sensational combination.
• West Coast IPA + Grilled Lamb or Burgers: Bold flavours need bold food. The resinous bitterness cuts through rich, fatty meats beautifully.
• Kettle Sour + Goat Cheese & Salads: The tartness mirrors the tang of fresh goat cheese and brightens up any salad or light starter.

Finding The Garden Brewery Beers

• Taproom in Zagreb: The flagship experience — 20 taps, outdoor seating, live events, and exclusive taproom-only releases. A must-visit.
• Croatian Bars & Bottle Shops: The Garden’s cans are widely stocked across Zagreb and in major cities throughout Croatia.
• International Export: Available in 25 EU and European countries. Look for them at craft beer specialty stores in Germany, Austria, Sweden, the UK, and beyond.
• Online: Check their website for webshop availability and to find the nearest stockist in your country.

Na zdravlje uz The Garden Brewery! Here’s to the brewery that took Croatian craft beer to the world — one beautifully crafted can at a time.