The Lowdown

Yo, if you’re still sleeping on CastaCraftowe, it’s time to wake up! These Ukrainians opened up a brewery in May 2023 in Mosina, just outside Poznan and a flagship bar on Półwiejska Street, and let me tell you—it’s not just another bar. Nah, they’re bringing something completely different to the table. We’re talking LIVE beer, people. That’s right—beer without all the garbage they throw in to make it last for years. This brew’s got a 30-day shelf life, max! It’s the healthiest beer you’re gonna find in the city, so you know we had to roll up and check out the factory in Mosina to see if it’s as dope as it sounds.

So, we took a quick train ride to Mosina (literally just minutes away) and got picked up by the man himself, Vladyslav—the frontman of CastaCraftowe, running the game between Girona (where he currently lives) and Poznań. Dude’s got the passion for beer like no other, and we had ALL the questions.

The Process: Real, Live, Fresh Beer

Vlad broke it down for us: Their beer isn’t filtered, pasteurized, or separated. It’s alive, baby! When they ship it to their bar, the yeast is still doing its thing, munching on sugar extracts like it’s a party. Vlad hits us with a crazy analogy: “It’s like killing a cow and eating the steak right away versus getting processed meat from the store.” Real talk! And because they’re only 30 minutes away from their factory to the bar, they don’t need all that extra processing BS, which means their prices stay hella competitive. Their four signature beers are only 10-12 PLN a glass—seriously, that’s a steal for what you’re getting.

Bottles On Deck

Oh, and in true Ukrainian style, they’ve got a bottling service. You can get your LIVE beer bottled up from 0.5 liters to a beastly 2-liter monster bottle. Vlad said, though, you better drink it within 24 hours if you want that fresh hit. We also met Bohdan, the guy who runs the brewery day-to-day, checking all the numbers and making sure the beer’s fermenting just right. It takes a month to get their Wheat beer ready and two months for their dark, smooth Porter.

Tasting the Goods

Now, to the best part—the beer tasting. We had the chance to try all four, and let me tell you, there’s a huge difference. First up, the Wheat beer: soft and fresh with a banana aftertaste that hits just right. Seriously, it’s like sunshine in a glass. Next was the Light Lager, but unlike any you’ve had before. It’s unfiltered, giving it this fuller, richer taste—like beer without the nonsense. Then we hit the Amber beer with that caramel malt flavor that gives it a subtle sweetness but still holds it down as a proper beer. And the best for last—the Porter. This thing is dark, soft, and smooth, with a burned coffee aftertaste that lingers in the best way possible. It’s rich, but not heavy, and we’re officially obsessed.

Conclusion: The Perfect Beer

By the end of the tour, we were super impressed. CastaCraftowe isn’t just making beer—they’re raising the bar for the whole Poznań beer scene. If you want to try what we did, head to their spot on Półwiejska. This beer is guaranteed to be less than 30 days old, so it’s basically like you’re drinking it straight from the factory. They’ve also got a shop on Krauthofera 22 in Górczyn if you wanna grab some bottles to go. But trust me—you want the full experience, so head to the bar, chill out, and get ready to taste the best beer in the city. If you haven’t been yet, what are you even doing? Put CastaCraftowe at the top of your list, ASAP!