Whether you consider yourself a beer expert or just a simple beer lover, drinking a pint (or two) at one of the best beer destinations in the world should be in your travel plans. Enjoy Belgian beer during Brussels beer tours or go to the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam. Some cities are best known for their unique craft beers, while others boast long-standing traditions.
Discover six beer destinations that present unique tastes and attractions for beer lovers everywhere!
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is not only one of the easiest places to have an old drink, but it is also a fantastic place to study the history of beer. Travelers to Brussels will find pubs anywhere in the city, but Grand Place in the central square is a great place to start. The historic district is full of local bars and elegant clubs and is also the perfect place to sign up for a pub crawl, where tourists can visit the pubs in the area and taste the best beers in Brussels.
Things to do in Brussels for beer lovers
• Brussels Beer Project, Rue Antoine Dansaert 188, 1000 Brussels – a bar that grows its reputation for its passion for beer and community, Brussels Beer Project prepares bold beer bottles for regular beer drinkers.
• Brasserie Cantillon, Rue Gheude 56, 1070 Anderlecht – this traditional brewery has not changed its process since the establishment of the brewery in 1900. Tours include tastings, viewing of the original brewing equipment and walks through the cellars.
• Belgian Brewery Museum, Grand Place 10, 1000 Brussels – Get a sip of traditional Belgian beer in a beer café after watching 18th-century kettle displays, teapots and bizarre tools.
•Brasserie de la Senne, Chaussée de Ghent 565, 1080 Molenbeek-Saint-Jean – sample of bold dishes prepared by Brussels-based Yvan de Baets and Bernard Leboucq. The duo promises unpasteurized goodies, without additives, in every glass.
Dublin, Ireland
Travelers do not have to wait until St. Patrick to enjoy a beer in Dublin. The Guinness Store is open all year round, as are the countless bars and pubs in the city. Make a toast at The Church, which was literally a church until 1964, and participate in the history of Ireland.
The Church’s café, bar and restaurant have been famous at the intersection of Marty Street and Jervis Street since the early 18th century, when it was named the Church of St Mary in Ireland. Several historical personalities arranged the grounds of the early church. Some of the famous participants are George Frederic Handel, who regularly used the organ at church, and the author Jonathan Swift, who attended regular services there. Arthur Guinness, the founder of the Guinness Brewery, was married in the church, and John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, gave his first Irish service in the pulpit in 1747.
Things to do in Dublin for Beer Lovers
•Explore brew pubs – pull up a barstool at some of Dublin’s most popular micro-breweries. Start with The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge Hotel, Porterhouse Temple Bar and Guinness Open Gate Brewery.
• Guinness Storehouse – Take a tour of this brewery that offers stories about Irish beer, beer tastings and a rooftop bar.
• Plan a DIY crawl – sample some of Dublin’s best beers at Camden Exchange, The Beer Market and 57 The Headline. Add some local options to the list!
Portland, Oregon, USA
It’s hard to visit Portland when there’s no beer festival in full swing, and this city boasts walled bars as much as classic craft beer blends. The city is home to over 80 renowned breweries, many of which offer unique beers along with unique cuisine. Wash creative organic food at Hopworks Urban Brewery and book a bus tour with Brewvana to discover the best breweries, cider houses – and even donut shops! – in Portland.
Best craft beer houses and micro-breweries in Portland:
•Cascade Brewing Barrel House, 939 SE Belmont St. – considered one of Portland’s finest brewpubs, this bar serves handcrafted sour beers on an open, street-side patio.
•Level Beer, 5211 NE 148th Ave. – set in a former greenhouse, this brewery serves refreshing beers with unique twists.
•Baerlic Brewing Company, 2235 SE 11th Ave. – try an oat beer in this simple bar, which specializes in craft beer and craft beer only.
•Culmination Brewing, 2117 NE Oregon St. – tap into a refreshing microbrew at this modern bar, which serves beers next to the local bar.
Munich, Germany
Who hasn’t heard of Oktoberfest ?! But Munich is an obvious choice for taking brewery tours, even when it’s not Oktoberfest. The city has some of the oldest breweries in the world, and breweries can be found around every corner. Head back under the chestnuts to Augustiner-Keller, one of Munich’s oldest beer gardens, or plan your own tour and include stops at the Hecker-Pschorr Brauhaus and Olympiapark near Munich’s Olympic Stadium..
Best beer halls in Munich
•Löwenbräukeller – Das Original, Nymphenburger Straße 2 Stiglmaierplatz – a longstanding brewery with a restaurant, Löwenbräukeller – Das Original features a large beer garden and plenty of Bavarian dishes on the menu.
•Hofbräuhaus München, Platzl 9 – a favorite place of tourists, this 16th-century beer has three floors and offers evening shows in a luxurious atmosphere.
•WEISSES BRAUHAUS, Tal 8, 80331 München – choose an outdoor table to enjoy handcrafted beers and late-night food.
•Augustiner Bräustuben, Landsberger Str. 19 – This Bavarian restaurant follows a tradition with wooden paneling for decoration, classic menu dishes and German tap beer.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s beer traditions were firmly established in the late 1800s with the production of Heineken and Amstel beers. Since then, the city has been known as one of the best beer destinations in the world. Beer lovers go to Amsterdam for the Heineken Experience, a practical tour that delves into the history of beer in the region and ends with a beer tasting. However, in addition to the famous units, Amsterdam has dozens of hidden treasures. Take a tour of the central canals to find local pubs with Dutch tradition and beer that can only be found in Amsterdam.
Best Craft Beer Bars in Amsterdam
•Proeflokaal Arendsnest, Herengracht 90, 1015 BS – with a view of Herengracht Canal, this traditional pub pumps out more than 100 draught beers under copper pipes and wood-paneled walls.
•Oedipus Brewing, Gedempt Hamerkanaal 85, 1021 KP – with colorful labels for beer bottles to match the decor, this pub is famous for its unique creations, especially Mama pale ale, a house favorite.
•Bierfabriek Amsterdam, Nes 67, 1012 KD – order a private tap of craft ale at your table, and enjoy the naughty thrill of throwing peanut shells on the floor!
•Kauffmann – Falafel & Beer, Reinier Claeszenstraat 4b, 1056 WJ – as the name suggests, this late night bar offers handmade falafel alongside craft beers from neighboring Holland.
•Butcher’s Tears, Karperweg 45, 1075 LB – guests will not find attractive decor or hectic crowds at this pub, but they will find a fantastic beer selection and that is all that matters here.
Prague, Czech Republic
Leading the world in beer consumption for the last 25 years, the Czech Republic has two beer destinations that cannot be missed just an hour and a half away. Of course, Prague is a beer destination worth exploring, but don’t forget near Pilsen, where Budweiser beer was born. Every May, the 17-day Czech beer festival attracts millions of tourists to the region, but beer lovers who miss the event can find plenty of places to quench their thirst.
Stop on U Fleků, known for its medieval atmosphere and dark camps, or spend an evening at Letna Beer Gardens (Letná Zahradní restaurace). This outdoor venue focuses on a select few beers that guests can enjoy from a quiet corner of Letna Park overlooking the Vltava River. The Riegrovy Sady Brewery is another great place to find a variety of pubs and breweries, and beer lovers should definitely take a trip to Hospůdka Na Hradbách, located right at the gate of Vyšehrad Castle.
Best breweries to visit in Prague
•The Two Cats (U Dvou koček), Uhelný trh 415/10, 110 00 Staré Město – enjoy live accordion music while enjoying regional beers in the former historic coal market. The restaurant dates back to the late 1700s and is centered on the historic Staré Město or Old Town.
•Strahov Monastic Brewery (Klášterní pivovar Strahov), Strahovské nádvoří 301/10, Hradčany, 118 00 Praha-Hradčany-Praha 1 – this 17th-century brewery was restored and opened in 2000 as an open-air craft brewery.
•The Three Roses (U Tří růží), Husova 10/232, 110 00 Staré Město – one of the oldest breweries in the country, The Three Roses produces six beers on site and offers a menu of local dishes.
•U Medvídků, Na Perštýně 345/7, 110 00 Staré Město – stop for a beer or spend the night in this hotel, which houses one of the oldest breweries in Prague.
2 thoughts on “Best destinations for beer lovers: brewery tours, tastings and craft brews”