The best European destinations for beer lovers

Located at the border with Germany in the historic region of Alsace, Strasbourg benefits from a fascinating blend of French and German influences—and a thriving frontier beer culture. Strasbourg's historic quarter, the Grande Île ("Grand Island"), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a perfect place to soak in the city's yesteryear charm.

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Kronenbourg -

Strasbourg is the original home of the Kronenbourg brewery. Founded in 1664, the brewery is the birthplace of the premium brand Kronenbourg 1664, a beautifully smooth pale lager. Kanterbräu, another less potent brew, is also associated with the region.

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Krakow, Poland -

One of Europe's most attractive cities, Krakow was the capital of Poland until 1596. A vibrant cultural and artistic hub, Krakow's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is crammed full of bars and cafés offering quality beers, many of them produced by independent breweries.

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Tyskie -

Tyskie is one of Poland's most popular beers. It's named for the brewery located in the Upper Silesian town of Tychy, where they've been making beer since 1629.

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Dublin, Ireland -

Ireland's colorful and vibrant capital city is known for its equally spirited nightlife. Temple Bar, south of the River Liffey, is serious pub crawl territory.

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Guinness -

Guinness remains the number one reason for beer drinkers to patronize a Dublin pub. The dark dry stout has been brewed in the city since 1759 and is one of the most recognized alcohol brands in the world.

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Amsterdam, Netherlands -

Perennially popular as a European city break destination, Amsterdam is often referred to as the "Venice of the North" for its network of UNESCO-protected canals. An open-minded and tolerant city, Amsterdam is one of the continent's great party capitals.

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Grolsch -

Dutch beer is world renowned, and Amsterdam is the location of several national breweries. Grolsch, however, comes from the city of Enschede, where it was first brewed in 1615.

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Munich, Germany -

Munich is the capital of Bavaria. Its picturesque heart numbers several welcoming beer halls that enjoy international renown for the quality of their ales. The city's annual Oktoberfest attracts tourists from around the world, who imbibe millions of liters of beer during the 16-day festival.

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Augustiner -

Beer drinking is a hugely important part of Bavarian culture, and there are numerous breweries located in and around the city producing a range of enticing beers, brews that include Augustiner Weissbier, an amber-colored wheat beer created to traditional and well-honed techniques.

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Tallinn, Estonia -

Tallinn's Old Town in Kesklinn is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and has long enjoyed UNESCO World Heritage status. The Estonian capital is a favorite stag and hen party destination, and there are plenty of bars catering to these special occasions.

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Saku -

Pub crawling in Tallinn will undoubtedly mean knocking back a Saku or two. Saku represents hundreds of years of Estonian brewing tradition, and its premium brand Saku Kuld is the absolute elite of the country's beers.

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Denmark, Copenhagen -

Copenhagen's tourist attractions include Nyhavn, its 17th-century waterfront, the captivating Tivoli Gardens, and the Little Mermaid statue. Oh, and it's also known for "probably the best beer in the world."

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Carlsberg -

Denmark's standout brew is Carlsberg. A famous advertising slogan touted the beer as a global favorite, and Carlsberg certainly hits the spot with lovers of lager.

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Prague, Czech Republic -

Prague leaves visitors open mouthed with its stunning collection of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. No wonder UNESCO has bestowed upon its historic hub World Heritage status! Prague's reputation as one of Europe's best beer destinations is also recognized. The city even has its own beer museum.

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Pilsner Urquell -

The Czech Republic is where the original Budweiser or Budweiser Budvar pale lager comes from. But it's Pilsner Urquell that can lay claim to being the world's first golden 'pilsner' lager, brewed in 1842 at Plzeň.

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Zagreb, Croatia -

Zagreb enjoys a rich history, which dates back to the Roman period. Historic Ban Jelačić Square is the Croatian capital's bustling hub and where some of the most popular bars and cafés are located.

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Ožujsko -

Zagreb has its very own beer, a smooth golden brew known as Ožujsko. This is one of the country's oldest brands, first produced in 1892, and still Croatia's best-selling beer.

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London, England -

London has some of the oldest and most historic ale houses in the world. Many serve as cultural landmarks of outstanding architectural merit where famous celebrities of the day would indulge in boozy sessions.

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London Pride -

One of the British capital's most iconic beers is London Pride. The flagship ale of Fuller's Brewery, an English brewery founded in 1845 and based in Chiswick, West London, London Pride is named after a flower that took root in London bombsites during the Second World War and quickly came to symbolize recovery and rebirth during the German Blitz bombing campaign.

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Reykjavik, Iceland - Fancy a cold one? Then head to Reykjavik. The land of ice and fire is famous for its movie set landscapes and ancient volcanoes that have a habit of erupting when you least expect it. Lately, however, a new phenomenon has emerged: a thriving craft beer scene.

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Lava -

Among the beers to sample in Reykjavik is Lava Smoked Imperial Stout, named for the active volcano Hekla, which is visible from the brewery's door.

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Barcelona, Spain - Barcelona's world class visitor attractions include the fantastical architectural wonders created by Antoni Gaudí, which have been designated World Heritage Sites, and some truly rewarding art museums. The city is also celebrated as one of the liveliest destinations on the Mediterranean coast.

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Estrella Damm -

Partying here will no doubt include sampling copious amounts of the local brew, Estrella Damm. It's been brewed here since 1876. It shouldn't be confused with another much-loved Spanish beer, Estrella Galicia, which comes from A Coruña in the north. But hey, why not try both?

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Edinburgh, Scotland -

Scotland's elegant capital is steeped with history and crowned by a magnificent castle. UNESCO lists the city's Old Town and New Town as a combined World Heritage Site, which is always reason to celebrate.

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Tennent's -

Tennent's, Scotland's best-selling brand of pale lager, hails from Glasgow, but is available in bars across Edinburgh and beyond. The country is, of course, world famous for its whisky. But you can raise your glass to both by ordering a Tennent's Aged with Whisky Oak for a wonderfully blended taste of Scotland.

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Lisbon, Portugal -

It was from Lisbon, Portugal's capital city, that seafarers set sail in the 15th and 16th centuries for lands unknown to them. Further south, in the Algarve, a school of navigation was established at Sagres to coordinate the country's so-called "Age of Discovery."

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Sagres -

One of Portugal's most popular beers is named for that town. Sagres is sold in many forms, including as a lager, stout, and sweet barley malt. The country's other best-selling beer is Super Bock.

Sources: (Craft Beer and Brewing)

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The best European destinations for beer lovers

The continent's brew destinations

31/03/21 | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Alcohol

Some of the most popular and attractive cities in Europe are also among the best destinations for beer drinkers. In fact, some places are synonymous with beer, one of the most widely consumed alcoholic brews in the world. So, where on the continent can you quaff a cold one in lager-loving company?

Click through and order a round in these great beer-brewing nations.