I have previously written a top 10 European beers, which may have been a little pre-emptive considering I had not tried all the European beer – I never will. But I will try every new beer I stumble across.
Below you will see some familiar beers that are exported internationally, and to your own shores, and you will also see others that are more regional. I will show all the beers I have stumbled across, and deemed fit enough to be bestowed with the whichicao seal of approval (and I will update this list as I discover more flavoursome delights).
Although the beers/countries below are listed in no particular order, I will begin with the 3 nations who will most fiercely argue that they make the best beer in the world; Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic.
Germany 🇩🇪:
Germany, home of Oktoberfest, and countless regional variety of beers offers a handful of whichicao approved beers.
Paulaner Weissbier: You may notice Paulaner’s logo from photos from Oktoberfest. It is one of the 6 official beers used at Oktoberfest – and perhaps the most recognisable.
Franziskaner Weissbier: Like Paulaner, Franziskaner also is brewed in Munich and matches the criteria required to qualify to be sold at Oktoberfest. Franziskaner wheat beer has a banana hint to it making it different from their competitors.
Berliner: Berliner Pils was the most popular East German beer prior to German unification, when it faced a makeover to make it more marketable – including a new logo featuring a bear (get it? Bearlin!). The hoppy Pils beer is very nice with a sweet tinge to it.
Duckstein: This beer is a tasty mixture between blonde and red beer. Duckstein offers a delicious tasting beer with an airey foam head.
Schöfferhofer Weizen: Schöfferhofer is a wheat beer originating from Frankfurt. This twist on traditional wheat beer offers a grapefruit infused taste.
Allgäuer Büble Bier: ANOTHER wheat beer makes the list. Allgäuer offers something completely original, a bubblegum taste. Brewed in the depths of Bavaria near the Austrian border, this wheat beer pleasantly surprised me.
König Ludwig Weissbier: The brewery where this beer is brewed is owned by a descendant of King Ludwig I. Ludwig I was a Bavarian King in the 1800s and the first Oktoberfest was held to celebrate his marriage. This beer follows the recipe of the wheat beer brewed for the first Oktoberfest. However, ironically, it now falls foul of Oktoberfest’s ‘Reinheitsgebot’ rules – meaning it cannot be sold at Oktoberfest as its’ brewed outside of Munich, which is a shame as this wheat beer is really nice.
Sion Kölsch: Kölsch is the name of a regional beer type from Köln. Sion Kölsch has a distinctive, nice hoppy taste.
Augistiner: This Munich brewed beer is one of Octoberfests official suppliers, and whilst I find Weißbiers nicer than other German styles, this Helles is very nice.
Engel Hefeweizen: Hailing from Crailsheim (or Crailing from Hailsheim, depending on how many you’ve had) is Engel’s Biermanufaktur – a brewery that don’t mess around. They take full advantage of being called “Engel” the German for angel, and have the back of their glass engraved with “Prost mein Engel” which is “cheers my angel” in English. And their Hefeweizen is heavenly, and not too heavy.
Maisel’s Weisse: Maisel’s hails from Bayreuth in Bavaria, and while it may not be as popular as its Munich Oktoberfest-laden cousins, it is just as nice (or maybe even a little nicer), plus the logo is very Willy Wonka-esque.
Belgium 🇧🇪:
Belgium, the supposed home of Gambrinus – the mythical European king and supposed creator of beer. Many of the best known Belgian beers originated from monasteries where they were originally brewed by monks.
Heverlee: Heverlee was created using a medieval recipe from monks in the Belgian town of Heverlee, the modern twist gives Heverlee a crisp, soothing taste. The monks would be proud.
Jupiler: Jupiler is a lager style beer. When a Belgian tells you that their country makes nice beer believe them, because even their national ‘standard lager’ is very tasty.
Leffe: Unlike Heverlee, the modern incarnation of Leffe was brewed by monks up until fairly recently when they sold their recipe to Stella Artois, however Stella pays royalties to the monastery for continued use of their image, recipe and name.
Hoegaarden: Hoegaarden is a Belgian style wheat beer from the town of (you’ll never guess) Hoegaarden. The recipe is unique to European style wheat beers in that it is infused with orange for a zesty taste.
Stella Artois: Stella Artois was initially exclusively available at Christmas, and is named after the Christmas star. It’s now available year round. It has a frothy head, and a dry, crisp taste.
Vedett Extra White: This Belgian beer is infused with zingy citrus flavours leaving a pleasant aftertaste in your mouth.
Kasteel Rouge: This Cherry flavoured beer will put you in a cheery mood. A slightly sour taste from the cherry produces a perfect summer taste.
Duvel: Duvel’s logo claims “tastes like heaven, brewed on earth”. A bold claim, from a magnificent beer. If the afterlife tastes like this, I’m going to start behaving myself.
Kwak: Kwak is perhaps most famous for its’ unique glass and stand, butt his isn’t to say that the beer itself isn’t amazing. It’s a little on the strong side but it’s very tasty.
Tripel Karmeleit: Another very strong Belgian beer, Tripel Karmeleit is a nice buzz giver, but tread with caution as you may end up intoxicated quite quickly.
Straffe Hendrick: This dark Belgian beer clocks in at 12%, and whilst you may think a strong beer may be overwhelmingly alcoholic in taste, rather SH is delicious and caramely.
Früli: Früli is a strawberry flavoured beer, brewed in the same brewery as Delirium Tremens, and although not as famous as DT, it is much, much nicer. Früli is really refreshing and honestly one of the nicest beers I’ve ever tasted.
Czechia 🇨🇿:
Budweiser call themselves the King of beers, but the modern American Budweiser is actually an offshoot of a lesser known Czech company (who are known as Budweiser Budvar in the international community).
Kozel: Kozel translates as male goat from Czech, though I’ve no idea where they got the idea for their logo from. It’s a tasty, crisp beer brewed about 15 miles from Prague.
Staropramen: Staropramen’s brewery is right on the river in the Smíchov area of Prague. The beer itself is my favourite of all the Czech beers I’ve tried. The almost flowery taste just makes you feel happy when you drink it.
Master: Master Dark beer looks like a stout, but tastes a lot more like chocolate/caramel than it does a stout. I’m not a huge fan of dark European beers, but this one is fantastic.
Bernard: This amber beer is incredibly tasty. A mix up to the regular pilsners available in Czechia. And whilst there’s nothing wrong with pilsner (as the saying goes – if it’s not broke don’t fix it), this beer breaks the mould and does an expert job of doing so.
Pilsner Urquell: Pilsner Urquell is brewed in Plzeň (where the Pilsner style originates). Pilsner Urquell claim to be the originators of the pale larger style, and have claimed 9/10 other beers in the world have copied (or at the very least, been inspired by) the Pilsner Urquell style.
Poland 🇵🇱:
For a country renowned for its’ vodka, Poland can produce fine beers too.
Ksiażece: this wheat beer is the cream of the crop when it comes to Polish beer. An almost buttery taste to it puts it above all competition.
Żywiec: this beer just has the edge on Tyskie ever so slightly in terms of best Polish lager. Perfect to quench your thirst on a sunny day.
Tyskie: Tyskie is probably the most well known Polish beer, and although this lager is good, it’s just pipped to the title of best polish lager by Żywiec.
Spain 🇪🇸:
Contrary to popular belief, Spaniards don’t just drink Sangria and wine – they’ve a few fine lagers on offer too!
Cruzcampo: Cruzcampo shows Gambrinus, the legendary Belgian king on their logo, and for being a standard lager, it is phenomenal for cooling you down and wetting your lips.
Estrella Galicia: Thos beer originates from Galicia, and was brewed after its’ founder returned from a trip to Cuba and Mexico. A smooth tasting beer worth keeping an eye out for.
Estrella Damm: This beer is brewed in Barcelona and is not to be confused with Estrella Galicia as they have no connection with one another. A nice smooth tasting beer nonethelessz
Italy 🇮🇹:
Another country which is more famed for its’ wine is Italy – which offers grapes to those who aren’t too keen on vino.
Birificio Angelo Poretti: Birificio Angelo Poretti is a tasty refreshing beer originating from near the border with Switzerland –
Ichnusa: This beer originates from Sardinia, off the coast of Italy. The 4 heads on the logo are taken from the Sardinian flag.
Birra Moretti: This Italian features mascot Baffo on their logo. The brewery have created a few new versions of Birra Moretti, but the original lager is the best known variety.
Castello: Castello is a fast growing Italian lager, like many on this list, it is a great thirst quencher. It is perfect for a sunny day.
Slovakia 🇸🇰:
The Slovakians must have learned a lot from the Czechs during the periods of their history when they were the same nation, as Slovakian beer is just as nice as their neighbouring state.
Zlatŷ Bažant ’73: Zlatŷ ’73 is the premium variety of Zlaty Bazant, and does taste better, however regular Zlaty Bazant is great also.
Zlatŷ Bažant: Zlatŷ Bažant translates as golden pheasant. As the premium version is a little more expensive, it explains why regular ZB is Slovakia’s most drank beer.
Ireland 🇮🇪:
Aside from Guinness, the Irish are probably better known for drinking beer than producing it. However below I will show the Emerald Isle’s elite beverages.
Murphy’s: Murphy’s stout, brewed in Cork offered a rivalry to Guinness for a short while before Guinness became the behemoth it is today. Many bars in Cork refuse to stock Guinness, remaining loyal to their fellow Corkmen. Murphy’s has a distinct coffee taste to it which isn’t as prominent with Guinness.
Franciscan Well Shandon Stout: This Cork stout is a more modern take on stout brewing. With a similar coffee hint to Murphy’s, with a slightly more bitter taste – this beer is worth trying.
Beamish: Another stout, another from Cork. Beamish is one of the traditional 3 Irish stouts (alongside Guinness and Murphy’s), and although never reaching the same commercial success as the other big stouts, it does have its’ diehard drinkers.
Harp: this beer was created in the 1960s to give an Irish twist on continental style beers. It was originally brewed in Dundalk and has since been found to be more popular in Northern Ireland than in the Republic of Ireland.
Guinness: You simply cannot have a list of Irish beers to try without including Guinness. Sin é.
Five Lamps: This Dublin based craft brew is a really nice, fruity beer. It’s hard to come by, so would really recommend snatching it up if you come across it.
Smithwicks Red: Smithwicks Red is a lovely creamy red ale brewed in Kilkenny. Like many Belgian beers, the original Smithwicks brewery was built on an abbey where monks had brewed for centuries prior to Smithwicks building its’ modern brewery on site.
Maggie’s Leap: This IPA produced by Whitewater Brewing in the Mourne’s is a very tasty take on IPAs with a citrus infusion.
Belfast Black: Another product from the Whitewater Brewing Company, Belfast black is brewed in the Mourne’s, and more closely follows the Cork stout style rather than Guinness, with noticeable hints of coffee and chocolate.
UK 🇬🇧:
It’s impossible to create a drinking culture without pumping out a decent beer or 2 yourself.
John Smith’s: Yorkshire’s finest John Smith’s, is the most popular drink in Yorkshire for a reason, quite simply, it is because it is class. It sponsors Huddersfield Town FC, and thus possesses the naming rights to their stadium, also being the sole beer for sale inside, one of the sole positives a Huddersfield fan can take from supporting them. The creamy head really compliments the slightly bitter ale taste.
Brewdog Punk IPA: Not sure how pleased Scottish people will be to see this Scot beer lumped in with British beers, but they’ll be pleased with my description of this IPA, a tasty craft beer trailblazing the way for other craft brewers to follow.
Bass: A reddish brown ale with a slightly harsher taste than John Smith’s. I can imagine it would be very complimentary with sea food.
France 🇫🇷:
Another country that is synonymous with wine – and another with amazing beer that slips under the radar.
Grimbergen: Grimbergen is an Abbey beer (brewed by monks) made in both France and Belgium. Given that it was in France I had it, I decided to list it as a French beer. Irregardless of where it’s brewed, it must be tasted. An all-round delicious beer.
Kronenbourg 1664: The French beer with the German sounding name, Kronenbourg. It is a soothing pale lager, perfect for a sunny day, or washing the taste of escargot from your mouth.
Denmark 🇩🇰:
When you think about Denmark you think of Vikings, Mads Mikkelsen, the Little Mermaid and Carlsberg – nuff said.
Carlsberg Unfiltered: Carlsberg decided to combine two Danish institutions recently when they got Mads Mikkelsen to become the face of Carlsberg. And whilst I’m not a big fan of regular Carlsberg, the unfiltered version is really something special!
Tuborg: Tuborg is the king of Danish beer, it puts regular Carlsberg to shame, and is perfect for quenching thirst.
Netherlands 🇳🇱:
The Netherlands is synonymous with canals, Van Gogh, tulips, and another plant… but it is also home to a beer which is an institution in its’ own right: Heineken.
Heineken: If you’ve ever been to a bar, chances are you’ve came across this Dutch beer. It’s popularity can be understood with its’ crisp taste.
Brand Weizen: A Dutch wheat beer brewed according to the German recipe, rather than the Belgian one. This has a soothing taste to it.
De Gieterij Dubbel: This Dubbel beer is a strong Dutch beer with hints of caramel to mask the strong beery taste. A very nice (I’m going to reiterate – strong) beer.
Grolsch Weizen: Another German style wheat beer makes the list. Grolsch understand that a wheat beer should have a wheaty taste to it. And they’ve hit the nail on the head.
Texels: Texels mixes up the tradition wheat beer style with an almost buttery aftertaste to it. Each sip was delightful.
Austria 🇦🇹:
The birthplace of Niki Lauda, Marie Antoinette, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a handful of undesirables, Austria has also birthed some tasty beers.
Edelweiss Weizenbier: This wheat beer was one of the first wheat beers I’ve ever tried, and I’ve had a thirst for wheat beers ever since. A great introduction to the popular beer type!
Stiegl: Stiegl is an Austrian lager, Austria’s most popular beer. It’s a great beer for a sunny day leaving you feeling hydrated after a few sips.
Portugal 🇵🇹:
Super Bock: Although this beer sounds like an American Sporting Event, it is in fact a Portuguese Pilsner, and it is very nice.
Greece 🇬🇷:
Alfa Weiss: This German style Weissbier is a brilliant take. I was surprised to see a Weissbier in Greece, but was not disappointed. An excellent beer.
Mythos: Mythos is the standard bearer for Greek beer, and it holds the torch quite high.
Mamos: After being impressed with Mythos, I fell in love with Mamos. This crisp dry Pilsner is everything you want.
Nymfi: Another great Greek beer that just piques your interest. It describes itself as an Indian Pale Lager and has similarities with both lager and IPAs
Vergina: Another great Greek lager. Not something you’d imagine Greece be synonymous with, but they’re damn good at making them!
Switzerland 🇨🇭:
The Swiss are known for cheese, watches, chocolate and lakes – however the German speaking parts of Switzerland have produced a wide range of national beers too.
Feldschlösschen: Feldschlösschen is your typical larger, and a great thirst quencher for a sunny day. It was the standout beer I have whilst in Switzerland.
Imported International beers based on European brewing styles/techniques
USA 🇺🇸:
Blue Moon: Blue Moon is a Belgian style wheat beer, consider it an Americanised Hoegaarden – and although not as tasty, the orange hint to the beer makes it a great choice nonetheless.
Philippines 🇵🇭:
San Miguel: San Miguel was established in the Philippines by Spanish settlers 9 years before Filipino independence (the Philippines was still under Spanish colonial rule). They used a European pilsner style recipe and have established a tasty beer which dominates the Asian (and European) beer markets.
Japan 🇯🇵:
Hitachino Nest: Similarly to the USA’s Blue Moon, Japan’s Hitachino Nest offers a twist on a traditional Belgian wheat beer, embracing extra flavours by adding orange peel, nutmeg and coriander throughout the brewing stages
To see a complete and comprehensive list of beers I’ve come across and reviewed, you can check out @swallreview on Instagram.