If you love sampling new beers when you travel and want to plan a truly epic trip, forget about jetting halfway around the world to far-flung destinations and instead spend your time in Europe, tasting plenty of amazing brews along the way.
How you get across the continent will be entirely up to you, but if you want to have lots of freedom, it could be worth driving or hiring a car and planning a road trip (check out this article on the most amazing European road trips). If this is what you intend to do, it’s advisable to pick your most easterly or westerly city and work your way across the continent.
This is also a good point to mention that you should always leave plenty of time between your beer-tasting sessions and driving, so don’t forget to look for suitable parking in the places you visit.
We’ve come up with some top rated cities with amazing beer and nightlife, starting in Amsterdam!
1. Amsterdam
Amsterdam might be most famous for its Heineken, but that’s far from the only brew you can try here. What makes the Dutch capital a great spot for beer aficionados to explore is the range of microbreweries it’s home to.
You’ve got the likes of Bierfabriek (where the tables have their own taps), De 7 Deugden – where you can make your own custom brew or have a beer and cheese tasting experience – and Brewery de Prael.
The final establishment is an excellent place to learn about the brewing process, as it still uses techniques that are hundreds of years old to create its selection of organic beers.
For more tips view our recommendations for the best things to in Amsterdam.
2. Brussels
Another European brewery hub is Brussels in Belgium, with the city renowned for its fruit brews, as well as its white beers and other tipples.
There really is something for every palate in Brussels, with traditional gueuze white beer served in many bars, as well as the likes of framboise and kriek (strawberry and cherry flavoured brews respectively).
There are also a couple of museums in Brussels dedicated to the beer industry, with the Belgian Brewers Museum boasting a selection of production equipment from the 18th century, as well as a modern, high-tech brewing centre.
At the Schaerbeek Museum of Beer, meanwhile, there’s a vast collection of beer bottles, brewing machinery and beer mats – both also offer tasting options.
3. Munich
Munich is possibly the most famous beer-drinking destination in Europe, thanks to its annual Oktoberfest that celebrates many German brews and local culture in its huge beer tents.
If you do make it for the festivities, which usually start at the end of September, you can look forward to drinking beer by the litre, rubbing shoulders with the locals and munching on tasty snacks like pretzels.
Should you be travelling to the city at another time of the year, don’t worry, as there are plenty of breweries and beer halls. Among the brands to look out for are Loewenbrau, Hofbrauhaus, Paulaner and Augustiner Grossgastaette. If you’d like to start your tour of Europe’s breweries at the Oktoberfest, you can arrange car hire from Munich airport.
If you fancy a festive winter break, Munich has one of the best European Christmas markets where you can sample so many tasty local treats and drinks.
4. Prague
Prague is a beautiful city that’s steeped in history and has a rich brewing heritage. There are several prominent breweries in the city, with Staropramen one of the most famous brands to have made it out of the Czech Republic.
One brewery you can’t miss in Prague is U Fleku, where beer has been produced since the 15th century. In addition to the brewery, its city site has a restaurant and a huge beer garden with space for up to 1,200 people – the perfect spot to sit back and relax with a cold drink!
Prague is the best value for money destinations on our list, prices for drinks, food, nightlife, sightseeing and accommodation are really cheap especially compared to cities in western European. It is easy to see why Prague is one of the most popular European stag do destinations.
5. Dublin
Dublin just had be on our list, this city infamous for Guinness, the friendly nature of local people and the amazing festivals.
There are hundreds of pubs, from the really historic to super modern, whilst areas like Temple Bar are a hive of activity with live music and events throughout the year.
For the ultimate local experience plan a trip to Dublin in February to experience St Patricks Day which is one of the most unique and fun festivals in the world.
Other Places to Consider
More places which are highly recommended for drinking but slightly lesser known include:
• Leuven, Belgium
• Krakow, Poland
• Bruges, Belgium
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Zagreb, Croatia
