After a long day of exploring, sometimes there’s nothing better than an ice-cold beer! Sure, you can order a cold one in just about any city in the world, however, there are some places that just do it better. These destinations make their own, unique types of beer and are highly skilled in the art of beer-making. Expat Explore has put together a list of the top destinations that make the best beer around the world!
Taste the best beer around the world in these destinations:
1. Munich, Germany
Most popular type of beer: Weißbier (wheat beer)
Price of a pint: €2 – €5 ($2.00 – $5.00)
How to say cheers: Prost!
As the home of Oktoberfest, it’s no wonder that Munich is at the top of our list for the best beer around the world! Munich’s beer making history dates back thousands of years with its first brewery being built in 1269. While this brewery sadly does not exist today, the second brewery, which opened in 1294, still stands! Augustiner-Bräu has been brewing at this site since around 1328 and you can taste their beer at Oktoberfest, poured exclusively from traditional wooden barrels.
Even if you choose to visit Munich outside of Oktoberfest season, you’ll still find plenty of ways to enjoy legendary brews. One of the best ways to sample Bavarian beer is in an authentic German beer hall. Almost every local brewery has its own beer hall where beer lovers can relax and sip on biere in a lively, historic setting.
Related: Get prepared with everything you need to know about Oktoberfest!
2. Hanoi, Vietnam
Most popular type of beer: Bia hoi
Price of a pint: 15-30,000VND ($0.20 – $1.00)
How to say cheers: Một, hai, ba, dzô! (1,2,3, cheers!)
Looking for the cheapest beer around the world? Look no further than Hanoi! Take a stroll down Hanoi’s bustling streets and you will see tons of people, locals and tourists alike, enjoying beer on tiny stools along the road. Fresh beer, known as bia hoi, is brewed daily and sold for as little as US$0.20!
Vietnamese beer is much lighter in flavour and alcohol than its European counterparts. This makes bia hoi very refreshing and easy to drink – even for those who aren’t usually big beer drinkers. Some of the top brands are Bia Hanoi and Saigon which are exported all over the world. However, there is a growing craft beer culture in Hanoi too. While Hanoi’s craft beer scene began within the expat community, it has now transformed into a local product with dozens of micro and craft breweries opening up around the city.
Related: Don’t miss out on the top things to do in Vietnam!
3. Prague, Czech Republic
Most popular type of beer: Pilsner
Price of a pint: €1 – €2 ($1.00 – $2.00)
How to say cheers: Na zdraví!
Another fantastic location known for its low prices and high consumption is Prague, one of the most famous destinations for beer around the world. It’s often said that beer is cheaper than water in the Czech Republic and while beer (sadly) does not come out of taps at home this is certainly true when it comes to ordering a pint versus a bottle of water at a bar or restaurant. Much like drinking wine in France, pretty much all Czech beer is good beer. Just order the house beer if you’re unsure of what to get and your palette and wallet will be more than satisfied!
Pilsner is one of the most beloved beers around the world and comes from the Czech town of Pilsen which is just 40 miles (64km) outside of Prague. Pilsner Urquell, a familiar name to all beer drinkers, is the biggest brewery in the country and actually brewed the first Pilsner in history! One of the best places to experience Prague’s unique beer culture is in one of the many Pilsner pubs all over the city. A tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery is also an immersive experience that will allow beer aficionados to learn even more about this legendary brew.
Related: Explore Prague by rail with our Prague to Budapest Rail Express!
4. Dublin, Ireland
Most popular type of beer: Guinness
Price of a pint: €5 – €7 ($5.00 – $7.00)
How to say cheers: Sláinte!
With so many vibrant pubs lining the beautiful streets of Dublin, you’re sure to find an excellent brew! Beer making in Ireland is an ancient practice dating back over 5,000 years. Ireland’s rich soil, light rain and overall climate make for perfect barley-growing conditions. Legend has it that St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint even had his own brewery in the 5th century! However, beer really blew up in Ireland when Arthur Guinness bought a small brewery in 1756. Just three years later, Mr. Guinness bought a 9,000-year lease on the brewery which would become the famous Guinness Storehouse!
One of the top things to do in Dublin is visit the Guinness Storehouse. Here, you can learn all about the brewing process, history and culture of Ireland’s most popular drink. Guinness is characteristically dark in colour as it is made using roasted barley and one pint of this stout is said to have more than 300 million bubbles! The unique flavour of Guinness is certainly not for everyone but have no fear, you’ll find plenty of other ales, lagers, malts and more around Dublin.
Related: Join the Discover Dublin optional excursion and visit the Guinness Storehouse when you embark on our Irish Explorer tour!
5. Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Most popular type of beer: Lager
Price of a pint $6.00 – $9.00
How to say cheers: Cheers!
The USA is undoubtedly one of the world’s leading beer-making countries. Just look at any top beer lists and you’ll notice multiple American brands dominating the market. A new brewery reportedly opens every day in the U.S. and the American style of brewing is quickly becoming popular in Europe. Many American breweries are even opening overseas branches! While beer is a beloved beverage in every state, there is one city that consumes more beer than any other – Boston, Massachusetts.
Boston is home to the bar that inspired the iconic 80s sitcom Cheers. Fans of the show, and fantastic brews, should not miss a trip to this institution, established in 1895, in the historic Beacon Hill neighbourhood. A guided tour of one of Boston’s celebrated breweries, such as Harpoon or Samuel Adams, is also highly recommended. You can even take a barbecue and beer cruise around the Boston harbour!
Related: Enjoy a free day to explore Boston’s beer scene when you join our Eastern USA & Canada Escape!
6. Brussels, Belgium
Most popular type of beer: Ale
Price of a pint: €3 – €5 ($3.00 – $5.00)
How to say cheers: Santé!
There are a few delicious things that come to mind when you think of Belgium; chocolate, waffles, frites and, of course, beer! In 2016, UNESCO added Belgian beer culture to their list of intangible cultural heritage. What sets Belgian beer apart from other European beers is the vast variety of brewing styles. The country is home to over 1,000 different beers, from light blonde pale ales, witbiers and fruity kriek beers to sour lambics and strong quadruples. There is truly something for every palate and the many charming bars and breweries around the Belgian capital, Brussels, reflect this perfectly.
Serious beer enthusiasts can visit the Belgian Brewers Museum to dig deeper into the fascinating history of Belgian beer which dates back to the Roman era. Another great thing about Belgian beer is that almost every brand has its own, unique glassware. This makes for the perfect souvenir or gift for the beer lovers in your life!
Related: Read our guide and discover the best things to do around Belgium!
Eager to discover the best beer around the world? Taste your way around Europe and join one of our multi-country Europe tours! Or, sip your way through Vietnam or North America!