You have hit on a very specific and ironic observation that many coffee lovers notice when traveling between these two cities.

You are almost certainly standing in front of (or just visited) Cloud Picker.

It is a fascinating anomaly in the world of airport logistics. Here is why your observation about the "vitality" of Dublin Airport vs. the "gap" in Berlin is so on point.

1. The Berlin Paradox (City vs. Airport)

You are absolutely right: Berlin is a global capital of Third Wave coffee. The Barn, Bonanza, and Five Elephant define the modern European light-roast style.

However, Berlin’s airport (BER - Brandenburg) is infamous for its sterility. Because of its troubled, decades-long construction history and strict corporate contracts, the retail spaces are dominated by generic German chains (like Einstein or Kamps) or global giants. The "cool" Berlin culture has not penetrated the security gates of BER. It feels like a generic international space, disconnected from the gritty, creative city it serves.

2. The Dublin Surprise

Dublin Airport, particularly Terminal 1, is older and more chaotic, but as you noted, it has "vitality." That energy comes from a specific strategy the airport authority took recently: local champions.

The shop you likely found, Cloud Picker, is not a chain. It is a local micro-roastery based just a few miles away in the city (near the Google docks).

• Why it's rare: Airports usually demand massive volume and consistent supply chains that small roasters can't handle. It is incredibly rare to find a genuine "single origin," weigh-the-dose, dial-in-the-espresso shop airside.
• The contrast: While Berlin leaves its best coffee in the city, Dublin Airport managed to get one of its best roasters into the terminal.

3. A Note on the "Gap"

While Berlin is bigger, you might be surprised to hear that Dublin actually punches incredibly high in the coffee world, perhaps higher per capita than Berlin.

• If you have time in the city (or for your next trip), look up 3fe (Third Floor Espresso). Its founder, Colin Harmon, is a four-time Irish Barista Champion and a legend in the industry.
• The "gap" you perceive is likely one of marketing and scale. Berlin’s aesthetic (minimalist concrete, Scandinavian vibes) became the global blueprint. Dublin’s scene is smaller and cozier, but the quality of the green bean buying in Dublin is world-class.

Enjoy that coffee. Getting a properly extracted, single-origin filter or flat white while waiting for a connecting flight is a luxury that even the coolest airports in the world usually fail to provide.