A beer and culinary journey of freedom

Get to know the Slovenian capital of boutique beers in a sporty and foodie way

Attention beer lovers! You are invited to join us on a light hike, spiced with beer, brewers and beer stories.” You'll stroll through the medieval streets of Kamnik, explore the surrounding area and sample beers from local boutique breweries with snacks.

The experience could not take place in a more appropriate venue. Your guide will meet you at Trg svobode (or Freedom Square in English) in the centre of Kamnik.

Freedom is the theme of this tour, where, among other things, an inspiring and mysterious mug of Freedom Beer awaits you. You will hear many things about the mythical beer that gave the experience its name, including the story of Nikola Tesla and Gustave Eiffel. You will learn of many stories, but also historical facts and secrets that few dare to whisper.

You’ll discover stories of freedom on a stroll through the city centre and see, at the right time of year, where all four ingredients of beer originate.

Barut and Maister

At the four beer tasting stops at all the brewers in Kamnik, you will also be able to sample great modern street food.

The Barut brewery is known for its sour beers. They were one of the first in Slovenia to specialise in them.

They were created by student scientists who were writing their PhDs and MSc theses on yeasts and decided to make their own beer from their own wild yeasts. That’s why they find all the yeasts in nature – where they collect bark, grass, insects, etc. Good yeast strains are then isolated in the laboratory and propagated. Some of their beers are aged in old wine barrels, and you’ll get to taste one of them on this trip. Several famous chefs, such as Jorg Zupan and Janez Bratovž, pair them with their food. At the Pri podkvi inn you will get to pair beer with pulled pork burgers.

You visit the charismatic Janez, owner and brewer of Maister Brewery, at work. During the brewery tour, he will open the heart of the production and serve you a variety of cask-conditioned beers. The number of samples in a brewery is always unpredictable, yet always satisfactory. Expect famous Slovenians such as General Maister, Jurij Vega, Lili Novy or Jakob Petelin Gallus. If the timing is right, there’s also a fruity sour beer, for example with mango or raspberry, or something completely different. Kamnik’s kaiserica bread, part of the Tastes of Kamnik, is served on the side. Their sausage is based on the family tradition of the Kamnik butcher Podgoršek.

Menin'c, Mali grad and a surprise

On the way, you’ll try a red beer from the Menin’c Brewery, a light beer produced in a boutique brewery about 20 kilometres from the centre of Kamnik, in the green surroundings below the Menina pasture plateau. They use hops exclusively of Štajerska varieties, which they grow themselves in front of the brewery. The autumn-coloured drinking beer plays to the tastes of those who like more delicate flavours.

You can enjoy some pizza at the Mali grad bar and pizzeria, while tasting their lager, pale ale and IPA. The name Mali grad (Little Castle in English) reveals the local affiliation, as it is named after the ruins of the castle which tower over the medieval centre of Kamnik and is considered the first boutique brewery in the town. Not one, but at least two surprises come next! For example, the iconic Kamnik room, which the guide opens just for you, and beer in a slightly different way.

This easy hike through the town and its surroundings is suitable for anyone who enjoys walking and getting to know local beers. Four stops and beers from excellent Kamnik brewers with great food from local modern street food providers ensure that the journey is not too long after all.