The twisting turret and arched red roof of a grand 16th century abbey mark the heart of the little German town of Neuzelle. Framed by manicured lawns and a deep blue creek, the abbey has survived wars and religious reformations.
But visitors to this religious site are greeted with an unsual smell; the unmistakable scent of hops and barely becoming beer. This is because opposite the church lies a working brewery.
Neuzelle Cloister Brewery originally made a brown sugar-based brew, but when this was outlawed after German reunification pivoted its flagship product to an “anti-aging-bier”.
According to makers, the fountain of youth component comes courtesy of “vitamins and minerals” that are “designed to slow the aging process”.
Anyone fearing this sounds like a Berocca-flavoured tipple need not worry, as a spokesman told Reuters when the product was launched: “It tastes like beer more than it tastes like anything else.”
This probably explains the beer’s longevity. In addition to making an anti-aging drink, the brewery also produces a beer that can be bathed in, energy beer, as well as regular varieties like pilsner and bock.
Unfortunately for me the more unique beers were not on offer in the hotel where I pitched up in Neuzelle for the night.
But a barrel-chested waiter with a hearty laugh was still very enthusiastic in his belief that any guests to the area must sample a schwarzbier or pilsner brewed on the grounds of the abbey.
Serving up traditional dishes like herring, schnitzel and pork knuckle, his stereotypically German ruddy cheeks and affable service made for an authentic experience.
“You have to try the strudel,” he adds with a chuckle. “It’s my favourite.”
Neuzelle is not a spot that you’ll often find in guide books. Most of those who head to this part of east Germany tend to bypass the region of Brandenburg to visit Berlin.
But the town on the Polish border is a real hidden gem. A place where with an authentic German atmosphere where you can eat and drink like the locals do for a reasonable price.
A three-course dinner in the town cost just over €25 which represents great value.
However, towns located in borderlands often have another side to them and Neuzelle is no different.
A short 10-minute drive from the abbey’s spire lies Eisenhüttenstadt, a far less picturesque location with a 1,400-strong migrant processing facility.
That might sound like a lot of people for a small town to host, but it is about to get a whole lot bigger.
Plans for an even larger “departure centre” were revealed by Katrin Lange, Interior Minister for the state of Brandenburg to German newspaper Bild last month.
This new facility is designed to speed up the process of removing asylum seekers who arrived in Germany despite having already having submitted a claim for international protection in another part of the EU.
According to migrants the Express spoke to living in the centre, conditions in the camp are already pretty bleak.
“Our situation is very bad here,” Khalid from Syria told me.
“People talk together and say, ‘We cannot stay here, it is very bad and disgusting’.
“Some choose to travel to another country. I don’t have the experience in the UK, but I have heard that the situation is often better than Germany. You can work faster and English is easier [to learn] than Germany. Maybe [it’s better in Britain] because the immigration numbers are not as big.
“[But] people keep it a secret [if they are planning to go] as they know they will be going illegally.”
Seeing the migrants shuttle form the gated perimeter with plastic bags is a contrast from the quiet gardens of Neuzelle Abbey. But that, I suppose, is the divide bordertowns have almost always had.