Best Cities for Beer in Europe

From Czech Pilsner to Bavarian Helles, Europe has a long and proud brewing heritage and is home to some of the best cities in the world for drinking beer.

Munich, Germany

Munich, Germany

Perhaps the most obvious choice: the city is world renowned for its beer culture and is packed with an array of traditional Bavarian Wirtshaus’ (taverns), beer halls and breweries, whilst also the home of the world’s largest annual beer-festival: Oktoberfest, which attracts an incredible six million visitors every year.

Where to drink

Augustiner-Bräustuben

A charming, wood-panelled beer hall, inside the eponymous brewery, this is a great place to experience traditional Bavarian beer culture.

What to drink: House brewed Augustiner lager or pilsner.

Löwenbräukeller

Another brewery owned venue, this beer hall and restaurant has a large beer garden and roof terrace and serves a great selection of beers both from the Löwenbräukeller brewery as well as several other local producers. The food menu ecompasses hearty Bavarian fare, and they also host regular, traditional live music events and dances.

What to drink: Löwenbräu Original. Franziskaner Hefeweizen (wheat beer).

Hofbräuhaus

This 16th-century beer hall is one of the most famous in the city, and has impressive vaulted ceilings, a lively atmosphere and a fantastic selection of beers from the Hofbräuhaus brewery, alongside authentic Bavarian food.

What to drink: Dunkel (dark beer). Hefe Weizen

Prague, Czech Republic

Plzenska Restaurant

Czech Republic has a proud beer-producing heritage, and famously, is the birthplace of Pilsner. The capital is not only one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, it is also one of its best for beer drinking, home to a seemingly endless number of beer halls, bars and breweries.

Where to drink

U Hrocha

This iconic tavern is located next to Prague Castle, and their Pilsner, which is the only beer they serve, is among the best in the city.

What to drink: Pilsner Urquell

U Medvídků

This historic old town beer hall, and hotel was said to be the birthplace of the Prague cabaret, and is home to a microbrewery, where X-BEER 33, one of the world’s strongest beers is produced.

What to drink: X-BEER 33

Plzenska Restaurant

This large restaurant and beer hall is located in the basement of a beautiful art-nouveau building and boasts a stunning interior, and some of the best food and drink in the city.

What to drink: Pilsner Urquell

Leuven, Belgium

Belguim

This small city East of Brussels, has a long and proud beer producing heritage and is home to 30 breweries, including the world’s largest: AB (Anheuser-Busch) InBev, as well as some of Europe’s best craft beer producers.

Where to drink

Hof Ten Dormaal

Located on an old farm around 10km from the centre of Leuven, this small scale, family owned brewery produces a range of delicious, experimental fruity, and sour beers, and houses a small bar with a pretty beer garden.

What to drink: Barbera (grape larger), Summer of ’67’ (hemp beer), Frambuesa Y Chocolate.

De Fiere Margriet

This small ‘beer cafe’, serves over 280 beers, including a number of local specialities.

What to drink: Kessel Blond, Broeder Jacob, Hector Tripe Ale.

Huisbrouwerij Domus

This small brewery is one of the best in the city, and is home to a restaurant and cafe which offers a selection of delicious, house-brewed, traditional beers and ales.

What to drink: Con Domus Pilsner, Nostra Domus ABV ale.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow,Poland

Poland’s second largest city and one of its oldest is renowned for its array of striking medieval architecture, cobbled streets, and picturesque plazas, but it's also home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, encompassing an array of breweries.

Where to drink

Stara Zajezdnia

Housed in a cavernous, former tram depot, this beer hall and restaurant is the largest in the city, and serves a selection of delicious, unique, beers from their on site brewery.

What to drink: Pale lager, Pineapple IPA, Honey Lager.

Weźże Krafta

The city’s largest multitap bar is located in the Tytano complex, a former tobacco factory now home to dozens of hip bars and eateries. They offer a selection of 25 local and international craft beers on tap, plus a selection of bottled brews.

What to drink: Browar Kazimierz Coffee stout, Browar Jana sour ale.

Viva la PINTA

The flagship brew pub of the multi-award winning Pinta craft brewery: they offer a selection of 14 delicious draught beers, a number of bottled options, and also boast a huge beer garden.

What to drink: Cheri Cheri Lady (cherry IPA), Imperial IPA.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

Amsterdam has a long and proud history of brewing, and the vibrant Dutch capital is home to an array of fantastic cafes, taprooms and bars, as well as a host of producers including the world-famous Heineken and a number of small-scale craft breweries.

Where to drink

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

This quaint, canal-side bar is the best place to explore Holland’s craft beer scene, boasting a menu of over 100 beers exclusively from Dutch producers.

What to drink: Big Fat 5 Double IPA, De Molen Piek & Ballen (dark beer)

Proeflokaal in de Wildeman

Located in a former distillery, this traditional beer-house has a charming tile and wood interior, and offers a selection of 250 local and international beers and ales.

What to drink: De Kromme Haring Inktvis Black IPA, Krux Beuker D.I.P.A.

Brouwerij De Prael

This stylish microbrewery and bar in the city’s red light district, offers 11 excellent house-made beers, and has a cool, laid back atmosphere.

What to drink: Quadrupel, Bitterblonde, Smoked Scotch Ale.