On Saturday, May 10, 2025, Zrobotyzowani, along with Piwna Zwrotnica, embarked on another edition of HopsVoyage, this time heading towards Okocim and Kraków. The main theme was “Okocimskie Tango,” and the program included a tour of the legendary Okocim Brewery and Kraków’s Nowa Wytwórnia, a subsidiary of Okocim. We invite you to read the report from this unique beer adventure!
Okocim: Passion Connects People
Our journey began in Brzesko, where the Okocim Brewery proudly stands – one of the oldest and most famous breweries in Poland. Right at the entrance, we felt the spirit of history lingering in the air. The first part of the Okocim Brewery tour was possible thanks to the courtesy of the Okocim Brewery Enthusiasts Association, which passionately cares for the heritage of this place. We started the tour with a visit to the tradition room, where numerous memorabilia related to the history of the brewery and the Goetz family were gathered. The guide took us on a fascinating journey through the brewery’s history, telling us about its founders and the fate of Okocim over the years. We learned that in addition to water, malt, and hops, there is a fourth, equally important ingredient in beer – the people who create this unique beverage with passion and dedication.
Then, equipped with aprons and protective vests, we entered the production area. We had the opportunity to see the beer production process up close – brewing and fermentation. We were particularly impressed by the impressively sized historic brewing kettles, where a beautiful, malty aroma wafted. We learned that Okocim is famous for its bottom-fermented beers, which have been enjoyed by consumers for years.
The highlight of the visit was a conversation with brewer Adam Surmacz, who passionately answered our questions about the beer brewing process, new products in Okocim’s offer, and plans for the future. We also had the opportunity to taste a whole range of drinks from the Okocim brewery, which allowed us to appreciate the richness of flavors and aromas offered by this legendary brewery.
However, this was not the end of the attractions! Thanks to the kindness of our hosts, we had the opportunity to explore parts of the brewery not accessible to regular tourists. We saw, among other things, the most modern de-alcoholizer, which allows for the production of non-alcoholic beers with full flavor and aroma, and the Goetz Palace, which is planned to be transformed into a museum of the brewery’s and Goetz family’s history in the future.
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Kraków Craft: Freshness Straight from the Tank
After visiting Okocim, we headed towards Kraków to visit Nowa Wytwórnia. Nowa Wytwórnia is a nanobrewery that – although it benefits from Okocim’s experience and facilities – operates on a completely different, craft scale. It’s a place where beer is made in small batches, and each brew is perfected by enthusiasts. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity, and the beer poured at the bar comes straight from the tank, guaranteeing incredible freshness and full flavor. The beers at Nowa Wytwórnia are unpasteurized and unfiltered, which further emphasizes their unique character.
At the brewery, brewer Paweł Poręba was waiting for us – he enthusiastically talked about the beer-making process at Nowa Wytwórnia and answered all our questions. We discussed technical details concerning the brewing process and the organizational challenges of running a nanobrewery and ensuring care at every stage of production. There were also sensory elements – Paweł passionately described the aromas and flavors characteristic of individual beers, encouraging us to taste them carefully.
At Nowa Wytwórnia, we had the opportunity to try two beers straight from the tanks – the flagship Cold IPA and Marakuja Sour. It was an amazing experience! Then we ordered a tasting flight with the other available beers and snacks that perfectly complemented the beer flavors.
Summary – Okocimskie Tango to the Rhythm of Beer
HopsVoyage: Okocimskie Tango was another successful trip for Zrobotyzowani and Piwna Zwrotnica. We visited the Okocim Brewery, where, thanks to the Okocim Brewery Enthusiasts Association, we could learn about the history and secrets of beer production, and Nowa Wytwórnia, where we could try fresh, unfiltered, and unpasteurized beers straight from the tank. We spent time among enthusiasts, enjoying unique flavors and expanding our knowledge of brewing in breweries of such different scales.
Thank you to all participants for the time spent together, and we already invite you to our next technical journeys! 🍺
Event organization: Kacper Groń (Piwna Zwrotnica), Maciej Kacprzak, Karol Lubaczewski
Photos: Karol Lubaczewski
Report: Paulina Kozłowska
Sounds like a great day spent? See where else we are going in the near future:
