Protokoll Taproom Opens in Berlin

On July 18, 2017, Vadim Kamkalov opened Protokoll Taproom on Boxhagener Straße in Berlin-Friedrichshain. The bar began with twenty-four rotating taps and an international selection that gave unusual prominence to beers from Russia and other emerging European craft-beer markets. Moscow’s Zagovor Brewery was closely involved in the opening, helping establish Protokoll as a connection between Berlin’s growing beer scene and breweries farther east. Protokoll later developed its own beers under the Protokoll Brewery name. Rather than initially operating a dedicated production facility, it functioned as a contract or “ghost” brewery whose beers grew out of the taproom and were produced in cooperation with other breweries. Its releases, particularly hop-forward pale ales and IPAs, expanded Protokoll from a specialist beer bar into a brewery brand represented at festivals, collaborations, and taprooms beyond its original Friedrichshain location.