The Berliner
Beer Hall Hiding a Serious Wine Secret
South Perry · Spokane · German
Reviewed April 10, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into a German beer hall, you expect steins and not much else — so an 80-label wine list actually stops you cold. The focus on German, Alsatian, and Austrian producers feels genuinely intentional, not just a checkbox. It's a welcome surprise in a room that smells like bratwurst and communal good times.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans hard into the regions that actually make sense here: Germany, Alsace, and Austria. Dr. Loosen anchors the Riesling section, which is a reliable workhorse choice, while a Pinot Noir from Pfalz and a Grüner Veltliner show some real range beyond the obvious. There are no detours into Napa Cab territory, which we respect — this list has a point of view and sticks to it. The gap is depth beyond the flagship producers; we'd love to see a Mosel Spätlese from a smaller grower or two alongside the well-known names.
By the Glass
Ten options by the glass is a solid number for a casual beer hall, and the $11–$20 range keeps things accessible. We'd like to know the pours are rotating with the seasons, but there's no evidence of an active glass program refresh happening here. What's available is well-matched to the food, which counts for a lot.
Weingut Robert Weil Kiedricher Grafenberg Riesling Spätlese 2020 — $85
An 89% markup is still steep, but for a Riesling of this pedigree — one of the Rheingau's benchmark producers — $85 is within reach of what you'd pay at a proper wine bar. Next to bratwurst and sauerbraten, it's a no-brainer.
Pinot Noir from Pfalz
Most people at a German beer hall aren't ordering red wine at all, which means this bottle sits overlooked all night. German Pinot Noir — Spätburgunder — is one of the wine world's genuinely underrated categories, and a Pfalz example with pork-heavy dishes is a seriously good move.
Dr. Loosen Riesling 2022
At $42 on a bottle that retails for $18, you're paying a 133% markup for a wine you can grab at any decent grocery store. Dr. Loosen is a fine entry point but it's not hard to find — save those dollars and step up to the Robert Weil.
GrĂĽner Veltliner + Bratwurst Platter
GrĂĽner's signature white pepper snap and bright acidity cuts through the fat in a bratwurst with genuine elegance. It's the kind of pairing that feels obvious once you've had it, and nobody at the table will see it coming.
🎲 The Bottom Line
The Berliner shouldn't have a wine list this considered — and that's exactly why it's worth paying attention to. Skip the Dr. Loosen, order the Robert Weil Riesling, and let the sauerbraten do the rest.
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