Europe's Best Beer: 2008
From Denmark to England to Germany to the Czech Republic, locals pride themselves on their beer. How does a tourist best tap into this flavorful fountain of European culture? Share your favorite locations and labels!
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Europe's best beer
One morning we set out from our hotel in Old Town Praha, walked across the Charle's bridge, past the castle and ended up at Strahovsky klaster. By this time it was about 9:30 a.m. and 90 degrees. So of course, we sat in an outdoor plaza and ordered the Monestary-brewed beer, a dunkel. It was so rich and full-bodied and nutty. . .WOW. It is now what I compare each glass of brew to. Amazing nectar of the gods, for sure!
Karen
Cypress, ca USA Wed 12/31/2008
The Czech beer, Kozel Cerny, is great!
Janet
East Bernard, TX USA Sat 12/27/2008
Guinness
Go to Ryans pub on Queens Street (it's close to the tram tracks on your way to the Natural History Museum) - there Taidgh will give you the best pint in Dublin (in one of Dublin's best pubs!)
Fran
Dublin, IE Tue 12/16/2008
Best Beer
I am partial to Kozel Dark.
Gretchen
Austin, TX USA Sun 11/30/2008
Belgium does it best
I'd like to second the Delerium recommendation in Brussels - Belgium does some amazing beers, particularly the darker flavorful kind (just be aware of the higher alcohol percentage). My favorite are the trappists like Chimay bleu or Rochefort 8.
Jakara
Baltimore, MD USA Thu 11/13/2008
Czech Pivo
Prague beers, Kozel dark lager is the one I prefer. Many places in Prague have only one beer(Pivo)and no dark. Don't expect hoppy beers anywhere.
Eggenberg Brewery in Cesky Krumlov one of the best dark doppelbock style I found thick and sweet was worth the walk.
Sam A
Vancouver, WA USA Mon 10/20/2008
Beer
The best beer is the beer everybody else is drinking...it usually fits the climate and the cuisine where your at. The best beer is the beer you have in your hand. (The same with wine.)
Oscar
Coos Bay, Oregon USA Sun 10/12/2008
Beer in Brugge
If your interested in an enormous selection of beers and a nice, albeit eccentric, bartender ask for Peter at a bar called De Kelk at Langestraat 69.
The bar can be a bit smokey so try to hit it in the off hours.
Eric H
Golden, CO USA Tue 10/07/2008
if in Brussels check out Delerium bar. they have over 2000 beers!
charlie
St. Paul, mn USA Mon 10/06/2008
Europe's Best Beer
If its made of apples its cider -its not beer!!
BKP
UK Sat 10/04/2008
Best beer - hands down!
Krusovice from the Czech Republic.
I recommend their dark beer. Excellent!
Tim
Pottstown, PA USA Tue 09/30/2008
Apple Ale
I had the Irish Ale in London. It's made from Apples and tastes great ice cold. For those that are not real alcohol fanatics this is something you'll love!
Lisa
Vassar, KS USA Tue 09/30/2008
Sandemans New Munich/New Europe Tours Munich Beer Challange
Here is our advice to anyone considering Sandemans New Munich/New Europe Tours Munich Beer Challenge: don't waste your money or your time. The Tour was a rip-off and an insult. Avoid like the plague.
The advertised services were "...complete with a stop at arguably the most famous beer hall in the world, the Hofbrau Haus. We discover how beer is made,
including the importance beer halls play in the history of Germany and Bavaria. We also learn drinkng traditions and songs along the way. Sing along with the umpa bands and enjoy some of the world's finest beer, bratwurst and other classic German cuisine." Ha.
To start, the tour began 40 minutes late due to the inebriated tour guide's determination that everyone should wait while they recruited additional
particpants so the tour was "worth their trouble". After the proud admission that she had spent the day at Octoberfest, the "lead guide" introduced herself as Alyssia, but that since her name tag said "Dorby" we could call her Alyssia, Dorby, or, "sh*&head". She went on to say that if we could not remember any of those we were "stupid, anyway".
After further inappropriate comments, the "tour" began. The first stop was one of the markets in the train station. The second stop was the Hofbrau Haus.
Unfortunately, they would not let the tour in, although we noted plenty of space. Our suspicion was that the leader was not welcome, nor was her ugly attitude welcome. After a 30 minute delay in which the staff frantically made phone calls in an attempt to find the next stop, it became clear that there was no pre-planning done prior to the start of the tour. We were then led to the Viktualienmarkt Beer Garden, which was closed due to inclement weather. At this point, there was a great deal of complaining by Alyssia regarding the fact that she did not expect beer garden closures during Octoberfest. (Note: The closures were due to inclement weather, not Octoberfest.)
The guides then took us to a restaurant, where the outside garden was also closed. Alyssia told the the tour participants to sit down anyway and that we would get served. When the restaurant staff again indicated to Alyssia that the garden was closed, her response was that she had "40 f*&*ing people coming in behind her and that they had better f**ing find a way to serve them".
While we were waiting for service, another gentlemen/guide attempted to tell the participants something about the area's history. Alyssia stopped him and said to him "I am sorry, but you need to f*&% off". When he attempted to explain that some of the participants wanted to hear the history as advertised, Alyssia told him that she "liked him personally, but f*&$ off". He became upset and tried one more time, indicating to her that he was attempting to provide the services for which the particpants had paid, to which Alyssia again responded "f&%$ off". He gave up his attempt to provide the service we had paid for, and left the area. Had we not been so stunned, we would have gone with him, as it was clear he was much more capable of providing the services advertised by your company than was Alyssia. To his credit, he spoke with an appropriate level of professionalism which we found lacking in Alyssia. At that point, we also left the Beer Challenge tour.
Our goal in taking this tour was to learn more about Munich and the history of the beer gardens....This tour was an embarassment.
Mr & Mrs B. Kamp
Jacksonville, FL USA Wed 09/24/2008
Weltenburger
I would love to try Weltenburger. Anyone know where to get it in California?
Patty
Rancho Cordova, CA USA Sat 09/20/2008
sehr gutes Bier !!!
Not sure of what the "Best Beer" in Europe is… however, the "Best Beers" that I have had (so far) in Europe come from Germany (in and around the Magdeburg area) and are as follows:
• Maisel Weisse (all great):
o Hefeweizen: speaks for itself.
o Kristall: a clear, filtered version of hefeweizen.
o Dunkel: a term used to describe dark wheatbeers as well as dark lagers.
o http://www.maisel.com
• Köstrizter:
o Schwarzbeir: a "waaayyy smooth" black beer.
o http://www.koestritzer.de
• Duckstein (from Germany… not the Australian Duckstein Brewery):
o Rotblondes Oberbrau: a great red-blonde beer.
o http://www.duckstein.de
Just click "Ja" to say you are old enough to enter the websites.
Just a note, these all are best when served on-tap in Germany… the beer that is imported to the U.S. just does not seem to have that same great taste… something seems to be lost. That means, get your butt to Germany and sample some of the best beer out there!!
Garth
Moorpark, CA USA Sat 09/06/2008
Eggenberg Beer
Eggenberg in Czech Republic (made in Cesky Krumlov) Both light and dark are marvelous.
Kim
Chicao, IL USA Wed 09/03/2008
Salzburg< Austria!!!!
I have spent the last 2 years in the surrounding area and this was by far the best beer I have ever had. Does anyone know where to get it in the States? Preferably in Colorado?
Augustiner-Mülln Bräustübl
Salzburg, Austria Wed 09/03/2008
Gulden Draak is the winner!
Well, I have been into lots of beers over the years and come from Cleveland, Ohio, which has lots of gold medal winners at Great Lakes Brewing Company. However, the best beer that I have ever had is Gulden Draak from Belgium! Sorry, Great Lakes, you have some awesome beers, but Gulden Draak is incredible!
Michael Segal
Cleveland, Ohio USA Mon 09/01/2008
Kozel
Kozel; a dark, delicious pivo from the Czech Republic. I had it my last night in Prague and it is reason enough to go back. I have heard that it might be available on a very limited basis in the US but I have never been able to get one.
Every beer I had in Czech Republic was better than any I've had in US and were at least as good as the Dutch, Belgium and German flavors I've tried in those countries. If you find a Kozel, try it.
Tim
Prairie Village, KS USA Sun 08/31/2008
Saris and Zlaty Bazant
We just returned from Vienna, Krakow, and Slovakia and got a chance to branch out a bit on the beer side. I would put in a big plug for Saris' (pronounced smarish?) dark beer in Slovakia. Very smooth and flavorful. I would put it up there with the dunkel from the Andechser monastery in Bavaria and ahead of Kostritzer (quite good in its own right). The Zlaty Bazant helles was also quite refreshing.The Saris and Zlaty both run about 11 or 12 percent alcohol.
Dave Murray
Avon, IN USA Sat 08/23/2008
Europe's Best Beer
I haven't tasted every beer in Europe, so I really don't know which one's best. I'm originally from Salzburg, though, and I've sampled just about all of the beers in the area. Quite a few of them are excellent. Nonetheless, the best beer I've tasted is brewed in Germany. The brothers at Weltenburg Kloster near Kelheim have been practicing their art for around 1000 years and they've perfected a Barock Dunkel that's out of this world. The draft in their beer garden is better than the one you can buy in a bottle.
Roland
Westminster, CO USA Wed 08/20/2008
Best Euro Dark Beers
Over the years, I've developed a fondness for the strong, dark Bavarian lenten dunkles (dark) beers. Here are three of my very favorite: 1. Ettal Monastery's doppelbock(Southern Bavaria); 2. Schneider's Aventinius doppelbock (Munich); and 3) Salvator doppelbock (Munich). Careful though: more than one and your head will soon be spinning.
As mentioned below, Okocim from Poland brews a surprisingly delicious dark brew.
JN
Iowa City, IA USA Tue 08/19/2008
Great German Beer!
If you're in Munich, Germany, you'll find great beer everywhere you go! This city takes pride in local varieties, from Hofbrau to Augustiner. Munich's beer provides many options for different tastes. Dunklebier is the darkest, while Weissbier is light and crisp. For my particular taste (I'm the sort of girl who could have a white wine anytime) I always love a good Radler: beer (Hofbrau being my favorite) with sprite. It may not sound appealing, but it's really excellent. It was made for bikers who wanted to stop for drinks without being too drunk to ride. Therefore, you can afford to drink a couple pints without feeling too many effects.
Taya Z
St. Louis, Mo USA Wed 08/13/2008
Beer Bier Pivo Piwa
Look, the best beer is the one that you enjoy in an outdoor biergarten, in a pub, while rafting the dunaj, after hiking the dolomites, with tears after touring Verdun, or while chatting up fellow travelors or friendly locals. It's contextual.
That said, as a Madisonian, transplanted to Seattle and now living in Munich, the best German brew is Augustiner's Edelstoff. I also recommend Zlaty Bazant from Poland and Union Beer from Slovenia. If you are planning on visiting Munich, the best guidebook you could pick up is The Beer Drinker's Guide to Munich. This book not only lists the places, but gives you the history and the context. Prosit!
John
USA Tue 08/12/2008
Best beer and experiance was at Oktoberfest in Munich. I topped off my 40th birthday tent hoping in 2006. The Hofbrau House tent with its standup section was great. We met and made friends with many Australians, Canadians, Italians, and Germans. We are going back again this year.
John L
Springfield, IL USA Thu 07/31/2008
Best beers
Cheers to Viceroy for his acknowledgement and support of Swiss beers. They are incredible, and I concur that it's a shame they don't export. Eichof is a long-standing favorite of mine, and their Braugold line is superb.
I also had my first Pilsener Urquell in Engelberg, Switzerland in 1982 - been my favorite ever since, especially over there. The Czechs seem to have a corner on the market, between Pilsener, Czechvar, Hollandia, and others.
The Dutch also do it up well - Heineken (local, in-country brew), Amstel (NOT the watered-down swill we get here), Grolsch, and Oranjeboom are great.
Note: there are 3 different Heineken breweries in Holland: one for Holland, one for the Continent and elsewhere, and one for the US. This is why ours here tastes so different than theirs, as they do not have to conform to our laws.
There were a couple of beers in Zagreb and Karlovac (called Karlovac), Croatia I had last year that were terrific, as well as one in Ljubljana. Awfully good.
Finally, there are so many of English beers that it's impossible to even begin. Cheers to them as well.
Tough call, all around. I can't wait to sample them all over again...
cmason
Georgetown, TX USA Sat 07/26/2008
Kaiser Beer
The best beer is Kaiser ... which i found in southern southern germany and in Austria. I wish I had some right now!
Kevin
Merrimack, NH USA Wed 07/16/2008
Italian Suds
Maybe not the most exotic but... A cold Birra Moretti (Rossa or red) on tap on a hot day in Rome is simply heaven. Sitting in the shade of a small cobblestone side street watching the beautiful Italians walk by clearly does something to enhance the flavor of this brew.
Al Q
San Diego, CA USA Tue 07/15/2008
Greatest beers and places to drink them!
1) A Mass of Helles and a picnic lunch with good friends under the Chestnut trees at the Augustiner Biergarten in Munich.
2) A Dunkels, a pork knuckle, and a hot Pretzel at the Andechs Monastery in Southern Bavaria.
David A. Fiala
Melbourne, FL USA Sat 07/12/2008
Czech Beer
Brno, Moravia, Czech Republic
Try the brew pub at Hotel Pegas. Great cheap Czech food--think dumplings--and freshly brewed beer. Pleasant hotel in interesting small city.
Christine
Devon,, PA USA Sat 07/12/2008
Beer in London
Ages ago I posted a comment about Bob Steel and his London pub architecture/Beer tours (aletrails.com)and his excellent book on London pub walks, well I just noticed its now available in America. Its not just about the amazing pub architecture and good beer, theres lots about the areas you walk through from pub to pub. Recommended especially for those leaning left or turning green! Also spotted a new book from him in UK only on Pub walks in the Peak district. Will be checking that out soon.
Graham Garner
Upper darby, PA USA Thu 07/10/2008
Belgium beers
We just returned from Belgium and even my wife loved the beers. In Belgium forget the wine and drink artisan or trappist beers
Erwin
Chicago, IL USA Mon 07/07/2008
Salzburg Hands Down
Salzburg has the best beer. We loved the Augustiner Brewery - the beer was so crisp and fresh. Steigl beer was also really great - and you can get it in the states if you look hard enough. (It's not quite as good though.) We had a few good German beers too.
Daniell
Centennial, CO USA Thu 06/26/2008
Trip to Gorlitz
I just spent a week in Gorlitz and Weisswasser and have to agree that Landskron's Pilsner is one of the finest brews I've ever had the privilege of tasting. I've been scouring the web looking for stores in the US that carry it so I can continue the torrid affair I started with the beer while in Germany.
Steve
Milwaukee, WI USA Wed 06/25/2008
Best Beer shall remain nameless
The best beer I've ever had is whatever they serve at U Zlateho Tygra, an easy to miss pub right off the main drag. Surprisingly untouristy, this place caters to locals and tourists in the know. Most tourists pass it by, its not even labeled. On Rick's recommendation, we entered. After four mugs I fell in love. I wanted to know her name, this frothy angelic creation. But I was determined to speak only Czech there, and couldn't decipher the origin of the brew. Maybe its a house beer or Czech potato soup leftovers from the night before. Whatever it is, it's reason enough to go to Prague.
Tyler
Forever Traveling, WA USA Sat 06/21/2008
European beer
To my taste Krusovice (CR) is the best. Other Czech beers - Budvar, Pilzner Urquell are also great. Pilzner U. is available in the U.S. but its not the same.I have enjoyed Austrian brews Gosser, Stiegel,Ottakringer etc. In Hungary I mostly drank wine.
David
Phoenixville, PA USA Wed 06/18/2008
Sad Day...
I'm truly saddened and (also slightly ashamed) that there is a dearth of recommended British beers (Although high five to the guy who gave Yorkshire a good shout).
If you're in Scotland then the more remote you get the better chance you have of getting a good beer..Black Isle Brewery is a name to look out for.
And to back up the guy who said "who said the US don't make good beer" I recently visited a small but perfectly formed pub in Edinburgh that served over 30 quality US beers and not a bottle of bud in sight...Brooklyn Chocolate Stout anyone?
Jen
Edinburgh, UK Mon 06/16/2008
European favorites
Lived in Germany two years and these were my favs: Czech: Krusovice (Imperial-Lager) Belgium: Chimay & Duvel Germany: Schofferhofer Hefeweizen $ Paulaner Salvatore(seasonal) US: Anything from New Glarus Brewing
USA Wed 06/11/2008
Gose in Leipzig
Although I have to agree with two things: a) Landskron does make incredible beer, their Hefeweizen is the best in the country (sorry Bavaria, the truth is difficult to handle)and b) the Beer Purity law is a total load of BS--American Budweiser is brewed according to it.
Anyway, one of the most interesting beers and a great relief on a summer day is Gose from Leipzig. You can only get it there, from the great Bayrischer Bahnhof restaurant and from a Bauer bier. It is a light top-fermented lager, where coriander, salt, and lactic acid are added to the wort. The result is one of the finest beer experiences around. Gose originated in Goslar, but became THE Leipzig beer style at the beginning of the 18th century. It is a very difficult beer to make right and the East Germans shut down production in the 60's. Go to Leipzig and taste a tradition reborn.
Dr. Dan
Springfield, KS USA Fri 06/06/2008
Germany has the best beer hands down. Best pils: rothaus. Best Hefeweizen: Erdinger. Best Dunkel: Franziskaner. And I'll take a Das Schwarze over a Guinness any day. And the stuff they brew at the Kreuzberg monastery beats any Belgian beer any day of the week. Oh, and American beer is piss.
Matt18e
APO, AE USA Thu 06/05/2008
Don't mess with my Heine!
Heineken (in the brown bottle only!!). Hands down! Soooo much better than that skunky garbage water in the green bottle they serve in the US. You don't realize how good it is until you have a Heineken in Amsterdam.
AP
Detroit, MI USA Fri 05/30/2008
Beer in France
We just returned from Paris, where we were pleasantly surprised at how good Kronenberg and 1664 were. Both brands are everywhere, including a McDonald's! Stella Artois, Belgium's Budweiser, is on lots of signs and awnings but isn't nearly as popular as the two tasty French brews.
David K. Wright
Madison, WI USA Mon 05/26/2008
Beer
Union Beer in Slovenia is pretty good too.
Scott Cooper
Chattanooga, TN USA Mon 05/26/2008
BBIJ
BBIJ Brewery in Amsterdam makes the best beer!! I liked Kwak beer mainly because it is so fun to drink. The Hofbrau Haus had okay beer but in a fun environment
Kate Buechler
Winnipeg, MB Canada Thu 05/22/2008
Belgium
Belgium; Struise, Rochefort, Westvleteren, Chimay, Rodenbach, DeDolle, Cantillon, Orval, Westmalle, Dupont, Fantome, Duvel, Leffe. There are many other high quality breweries. No other country really comes close, not even Germany, England, or the Czech Republic.
Dan
Providence, RI USA Sat 05/17/2008
Purity law
FYI, beers don't have to pass the German purity laws to be considered beer. That's an almost unbelievably narrow definition of beer. In fact, while the purity law has generally produced qualty beers, it has stifled creativity. Germany lags far behind Belgium and the US for beer quality.
Dan
Providence, RI USA Sat 05/17/2008
Best Beer In Europe
The best beers have got to be in Switzerland. We just came back from a 10-day trip and just lapped it up. Favorite brands: Feldschlosschen, Rugenbrau, Cardinal, and Eichhoff. It's too bad they don't export!
Viceroy
Washington, DC USA Sun 05/11/2008
Beer Define
For those who care, as defined by the Beer purity law, beer should only contain malt, hops, yeast, and water - nothing else. If anything else is added, it's not beer. The label may say it's beer and it may taste good, but if, for instance, it is cherry flavored or has anything else in it, it is not beer.
ExpatGore
Ansbach, USA Sat 04/19/2008
Bier auf Deutschland
The family just returned from a wedding in Saxony and while we were there had a tour of the Landskron Brewery in Gorlitz. This is a "must see" for anyone within reach of this town. They serve an awesome pilsner that has the taste almost of a white wine. Their schwartz bier is Pupin Schultzes - a very smooth, sweet flavored dark beer that goes down like chocolate milk. (not to mention the beer and sausage/bread&spread buffet after the tour) The brewery is looking to import to the US. During the week in Germany this was by far my favorite.
Bruce Hoover
Lancaster, PA USA Thu 04/17/2008
Beer
Belgium is the mecca of beer. I've lived in Australia, England and Germany and they all think they have the best beer but I was amazed at the Belgian beer. Try kriek, a cherry beer. My friends and I were sceptical but a waitress convinced us to try it and we got hooked - it's not sweet but very cherry flavored and refreshing.
Kay
Pompano Beach , FL USA Sat 04/12/2008
Best Beer
Belgians do it best! My all time favorite is Palm, but there are so many other great beers across Europe. After all they've been doing it for thousands of years! England has something similar to the Radler. It's called a "shandy", a beer mixed with lemonade.
Jay
Attleboro, MA USA Fri 04/11/2008
Yummm...Radler...
I fell in love with Radler Beer in Munich (beer mixed with "lemonade" although I think it was more like beer mixed withlemon/lime soda). Too bad it was our last stop on the trip!! Honestly, I think the best part of the beer we drank was that it was consumed IN Europe on vacation!
Lauren
Ft Walton Bch, FL USA Mon 04/07/2008
Best Cider!
Bulmer's on tap in Ireland (called Magner's in the UK) is the best! They don't have anything like this in the USA. It is actually not a beer, but a cider. Some mix it with beer and blackcurrant juice, and this is called a "Snakebite." I also love the alcopops in Ireland- the blue WKD, the many flavours of Bacardi breezers, and West Coast Cooler (an Irish-made wine cooler).
Courtney
Austin, TX USA Fri 04/04/2008
Augstiner- Salzburg
Augustiner-Mülln Bräustübl in Salzburg is the best beer hall I've ever visited. The beer is the freshest, most easy-to-drink sudsy goodness, poured straight from cask to mug. It's popular among tourists since it's easy to reach from the city center on foot. But locals typically make it a destination for after work or a weekend or holiday family picnic (family friendly, no hooligans here- it IS a monastery after all). Get there early in the summer if you want to sit outside in the garden under the chestnut trees.
Bryan
Atlanta, GA USA Wed 04/02/2008
Beer Beer Beer!
I prefer the polish beer the most. The smooth feeling as it goes down your throat is to die for.
PS. I was in the background of the Rick Steves Edinburgh video!
Em Duff
Dallas, Texas USA Thu 03/27/2008
Belgium Beer Festival 2008
Something to consider in your planning for 2008 is the Belgium Beer Festival, which is held each fall in Brussels.
The dates for 2008 are 5-7 September. They have a website that can be found; if your schedule doesn't work out, you can always go to the Delerium Cafe for a Delirium Tremens or Delirium Nocture ... or one of the 2000 others that they stock here.
-hh
Denville, NJ USA Mon 03/24/2008
Alcohol Free Beer
Some time you just don't want to be under the influance or your doctor doesn't want you under the influance, then you may be surprised to know that the brewries in Germany produce an alcohol free version of their good beer, so just ask - enjoy!
Darrell
USA Wed 03/12/2008
Polish beer
Poland makes some of the best beer in Europe. Zywiec, Tyskie, Lech, Zubr, Okocim, Okocim Strong (7% alc.)and Lezajsk are all real nice, with fine after tastes. They are not water downed and are a perfect refreshment on a hot summers day. I read that the Polish beer market is the 5th biggest in Europe now (exports and all) and it doesn't surprise me. Any large city in North America with a decent Polish community will have those beers I mentioned imported.
Mike
Toronto, Canada Thu 03/06/2008
The best beer I have ever tasted is in the Prater Biergarten on Kastanienallee in the Prenzlauerberg neighborhood of Berlin--they only serve their homemade Pils at the beer garden! Runner up is Puntigamer beer served in Graz, Austria.
USA Sun 03/02/2008
In Munich we loved drinking Radlers at the Hofbrauhaus. It is beer mixed with lemonade and tastes great, plus the Hofbrauhaus is an experience in itself. In Brussels, we had a strawberry beer at the beer museum in Grand Place that was amazing!
Kaiser
Macon, GA USA Sat 03/01/2008
Gollem in Amsterdam
If you are in Amsterdam. Take the time to check out Cafe Gollem. There are two so make sure you go to the one at Raamsteeg 4. Between Singel and Spuistraat. I suggest Orval which you can get any time. But if you are there in December get Chouffe N'Ice. A wonderful seasonal.
If you can not choose from the over 200 choices just ask the barkeep for a suggestion.
Oh, say hi to the cat for me. If I recall his name was Felix.
Kurt
Ivoryton, CT USA Mon 02/25/2008
Europe's Best Beer
I have yet to meet a European beer that is bad. I love the vast selection and local creations!!!
Pete W.
Minnetrista, Mn USA Sun 02/17/2008
Belgians and Beer
Without question, the Belgians make the best beer in the world. If you like your beer with a kick, Try Hoeggarden's Grande Crue. A white beer with great flavor and a high alcohol content. Of course there is Duvel. For lighter drinks, Palm amd the flavored beers like Kriek are well done too.
Lee
Eliot, ME USA Fri 02/08/2008
Ulei Beer
I love beer! All kinds of beer! However, the best beer I've EVER had was Ulei Beer. It is the oldest brewery in Switzerland and can only be enjoyed at the little brewery in Basel.
Must try if you are ever there. Great, fun atmosphere also!
Phyllis
New Orleans, LA USA Wed 01/30/2008
The Best European Beer?
Smithwick's-Ireland, is Dark beer, with a great taste.
Pilsner Urquell-Czech Republic, another good tasting beer, light.
Those two are my favorites along the beer spectrum
Joe
Madison, WI USA Wed 01/23/2008
Europed best beer
Kinsale Lager, brewed and served in the Pub located at the brewery in Kinsale.
John Driscoll
Laceyville , PA. USA Wed 01/16/2008
Wonderful Beer
I'm a beer fanatic, so I try any and every kind I have time for. Someone else here recommended Carlsberg, and I second that. Excellent! Tuborg (another Danish brew) is very good as well. As far as Belgian beers go, I've never had one I DIDN'T like, but a raspberry Lambic (tastes more like fruit juice than beer) is really a treat.
If you're in Germany or Austria, be sure to order a "Radler" at least once. It's a mixture (usually half-and-half, but it varies by brewery) of beer and a citrus soda. It was originally popular with athletes, but is now a universal favorite. Sometimes you'll find a Radler with a bit of raspberry or cherry soda in it as well. If it does have this, it'll be fairly bright red in colour. I like it so much that I often mix one for myself with Heineken and Sprite or Sierra Mist.
Anna
Lansing, MI USA Tue 01/15/2008
The Belgians
Having lived in Italy for 5 years and travelled all over Europe, the Belgians have the best beer in Europe. While Westmalle Tripple is my personal favorite, you can't go wrong with any Double or Tripple Fermented Trappist Ale. Unless you just can't take the full bodied beers, don't waste time with Jupiler & Stella Artois. They are just slightly better than American style light beers like Bud & Miller. I do give Jupiler the edge over Stella in the light beer category. By the way, if you are looking for authentic Belgian beer brewed in the US, then try Weyerbacher's Quad. It's a quadruple fermented Trappist style ale that competes with the best Belgian beers at competitions around the world.
Douglas
VA USA Tue 01/08/2008
beers
Add my compliments to Ye Olde Mail Coach pub on High Street in Conwy (northern Wales)try a Old Speckled Hen real ale.
Don't forget the Grohlsch in Holland or the Stella Artois in Belgium and France.
Ed Wilson
Lincoln, NE USA Fri 01/04/2008