With so many countries in Europe to travel to, there’s bound to be a time where you’re going to try out their beer. If you aren’t a beer fan, then this might not sound appealing to you, but you have to remember that Europe has served the world a lot of its finest beers.
The taste of beer is different for every country and when you try to ask for a beer in the bar, they would most likely give you their local beer. So if you wan to prepare yourself for the many beers you would be tasting, here’s a rundown of all the beers you should try when you’re visiting Europe.
Because Germany is considered to be the place to get the best beers, it’s hard to name which is exactly the best. Anyone who has visited Germany as a tourist will be amazed at how much beer they give right from the bar. Visit on October and you get to see people chugging not just bottles, but huge beer mugs at Oktoberfest.
Nonetheless, if you find yourself in beautiful Germany, don’t miss out on trying Radeberger Pils, Schneider Aventinus, and Paulaner. Radeberger Pils is one of the classic and light beers you’ll ever taste and it’s very refreshing to complement to any meal. Schneider Aventinus, on the other hand, is more malty so it’s best paired with dairy products. For Paulaner, try their Doppel Bock which tastes dark but you can also taste the toasted spices and caramel in it.
The most famous beer in Holland is no other than Heineken. This pale lager beer was manufactured by Gerard Heineken in 1873 after convincing his mother to buy The Haystack brewery. Today, Heineken is internationally both for its flavor and for its popular green bottle and red star. Heineken is also a major sponsor of a lot of international events and parties in different countries.
Similar to German beer, Austrian beer is light and refreshing that you can easily drink anytime and anywhere. One of the most popular beers in this country is the Stiegl which is Austrian for “little step”. Unlike others that are malty or bitter, Stiegl is a little sour. Another beer you might want to try is the Ottakringer which you will often see in the Eastern part of Austria and very well-known in Vienna. It’s famous because it’s always found in rock festivals.
The two beers you’ll often encounter in Denmark are Carlsberg and Tuborg. Carlsberg is also famous for its green colors and the Carlsberg Group is the fifth largest brewery in the world. The best way to drink it is to accompany it with a shot of aquavit. Interestingly enough, Tuborg is also owned by the Carlsberg Group even if they were two different breweries in the 1800s. Tuborg first produced pale lager in 1894 and then became part of the Carlsberg Group in 1903. Today, its sales and distribution sites have increased to make it more available in the European market.
If beer is not your thing, try other kinds of vacations such as dog friendly holidays, activity breaks and cultural tours. If you have a purpose for travel it makes the experience much more rewarding, even if it is just slurping the local brew!