Zum Kaiser, Brisbane German Club @ Woolloongabba, Brisbane

As far as I know, there is no shortage of European beer and food around Brisbane, with the nearest one barely a trot away from office being the Bavarian Bier Cafe and the Belgian Beer Cafe down at Edward Street. To look for good 'on the tap beers' served with roast pork belly or knuckle has never been easier.


To add on the list now is Zum Kaiser or simply known as the Brisbane German Club. Since it is a club,you need to have a member (for an affordable price of $5) among your dining group (the rest can skip through as guests) and there is a dress code i.e. no slippers (which I was caught for). 


Look through the technicalities involved in getting into the place, you will be rewarded with one of the most extensive beer collections I have seen. With plenty of beers (from blonde to dark) on the tap, you also have the options of even more beer that comes in different bottles. No wonder on a bad night, there is a rather strong stench of alcohol in the air and carpets, no surprises how that happens. 


It doesn't help that prices are very affordable i.e. 5-6AUD for a pint of beer and AUD20+ a main.

The difference between the Chinese roast pork and German version is the meat here is far tender, almost braised and certainly brined. The crackling is as crispy as it can be. On the side, there's some cabbage and roast potatoes that will leave you at the end of it, very satisfied.

If you are up for more pork, there is the pork knuckle (minimum 600 grams (well theres the heavy bone after all). Sauerkraut and more roast potatoes are there on the side to make sure you won't need any starters or desserts. 

If pork is not for you, I am not too sure whether the non pork dishes are worth coming for. The squid looked like it was poorly battered and the chips ordinary. On another day, we had fish and chips and there was no beer batter to be seen. 

One of the more unique beers here has a very smokey bacon after taste, dedicated to those who worship pork, i reckon because by the end of the night, I was suffering from pork overdose and a pork hangover the next day. 

If beer is not for you, the schnapps are excellent for digestion at the end of a very full dinner. 

A place for a good cheap German meal and beer but the strong stench of alcohol that pollutes the air and carpet is not exactly very inviting if you are coming here for a quiet date and it can get quite noisy over here. Beware of the long wait time too if it is packed (which is often the case, even on a weekday).

Address and contact details:

Verdict: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. The place to stuff yourself silly with pork and beer.