It’s a question that has long plagued humanity through the generations…. Which country has the best beer? Surely the Germans you might say. Or the Belgians for god’s sake.
But as we progress in the 2020s times have changed, and so have the beers. We’re not just limiting ourselves to ales and lagers anymore. Beer has evolved. Our taste buds have to. So let’s take a look at the best countries in the world for beer enthusiasts, shall we?
When I’m travelling to a country for the first time one of the things I always need to do is try as many local beers as I can. With this experience I’ve assembled a list of the best countries for beer enthusiasts. You’ll note immediately that there are no countries from South America, Africa, or Asia.
While I can’t say for certain that there are no great breweries in any of the countries that make up these continents, I’ve yet to find a great microbrew in any of my trips to those continents. And as of 2023, those continents are still light years behind Europe, North America, and Oceania when it comes to tasty brews. So without further ado, let’s get started!
10) Ireland
The Irish are known for drinking, but there is more to Ireland than Guinness and Jameson. You can find some delicious craft brews all over the country, including a beer literally called “Galway Hooker Pale Ale”. It’s delicious.
An Irish pint is well over a half liter so you’ll be satisfied with the taste and the quantity. Do be sure to drink a fresh Guinness too while you’re there. It just tastes better in Ireland. Time for a pint lads!
- Brewery not to miss: Western Herd Brewing Company
- Beer style to be sure to try: Vanilla Porter (or obviously your standard Irish stout)
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: June-August
9) The Netherlands
While most tourists flock to the Heineken brewery in Amsterdam, the Dutch are quietly picking up steam in craft brewing. There are now many local breweries spread around the country making great beer.
I lived here for four years and my favorite brewery is a little brewery in Haarlem called Uiltje (which means little owl). These guys make some damn good beer. You can find it at any grocery store and sometimes on tap in bars so be on the lookout!
- Brewery not to miss: Brouwerij ‘t IJ
- Beer style to be sure to try: Double IPA
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: May-September
Visiting the Netherlands? Make sure to check out the top ten breweries in Amsterdam!
8) Canada
The Canadians still have a ways to go to catch up to the Americans in the craft beer industry, but they’re working on it. Forget the Molson and grab a beer at a local brewery next time you’re in Canada. There are plenty now no matter what city you’re in. As Canada is massive and craft brews are regional, it’s sort of hard to recommend a particular beer or brewery.
- Brewery not to miss: depends where you are, but if you’re in Toronto check out Eastbound Brewing
- Beer style to be sure to try: Pale Ale
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: Like one week in late July (I’m just kidding Canada; I know sometimes you have nice summers)
If you’re interested in wine, Canada’s wine country might pleasantly surprise you!
7) Iceland
Beer in Iceland is brewed with fresh Icelandic glacier water. Maybe that’s what makes it so damn good. For a small country, Iceland packs a punch in the craft beer industry. And you don’t even have to go to Iceland to experience it.
Take Iceland Air on your way to Europe next time and grab a few local beers in the Reykjavik airport! Or if you live near a Total Wine and More, they stock multiple different brews from top Iceland microbrew Einstok. But for the true Icelandic beer experience, you’ll want to head to this incredible volcanic island in the middle of nowhere. Maybe you’ll even get to have a beer under the norther lights!
- Brewery not to miss: Einstok Beer
- Beer style to be sure to try: Arctic Pale Ale
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: July-August (unless in a hot tub under the northern lights)
6) Latvia
Most people can’t even find Latvia on a map, but any beer lover would be in heaven in Latvia. The Latvians can make some damn good beer. Riga has tons of local craft brews on top of their more traditional beers.
The more traditional beers will remind you of Germany but on the darker side. But their craft brewing scene is exploding with numerous spectacular breweries.
- Brewery not to miss: Labietis Brewery
- Beer style to be sure to try: Smoked Beer
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: June-August
5) Belgium
The Belgians have been making beer for centuries and have their own style of brewing. Belgian beers are usually very strong and a good triple or blonde will make an IPA seem like a light beer. Just having a couple can wipe you out for the night.
While I’m personally not the biggest fan of Belgian style beers, I do love drinking them when I’m in Belgium. Belgian cities are loaded with quaint beer cafes where you can choose from a giant list of local beers. Just thinking about it is making me long for another trip to Bruges or Ghent.
- Brewery not to miss: Too many to choose from, maybe Brouwerij Corsendonk
- Beer style to be sure to try: Belgian Dubbel or Triple
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: May-September
4) Germany
We have to go with tradition here and give a nod to Germany. The Germans make a fine lager and no matter where you are in Germany you’ll find a fresh local beer that quenches your thirst. In fact, beer in Germany is often cheaper than water.
The Germans are also up and coming in the craft beer scene too. Walk into a supermarket in Berlin and you’ll see a plethora of local craft brews on the shelves. A true German beer drinking experience should involve the traditional beers though. Nothing beats a stein of German lager at an outdoor beer garden in Bavaria!
- Brewery not to miss: So cliched, but Hofbrauhaus in Munich for the experience
- Beer style to be sure to try: Lager
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: May-October
3) Poland
You might be surprised to see Poland ahead of Germany and Belgium in a list of the best countries for beer. But once you walk into a craft beer bar in Krakow you will immediately understand. Of all my trips around Europe, Poland was really the country that stood out the most for beer. I know, strange right? Who knew the Poles could brew up such a tasty stout!?
The craft beer revolution has taken over Poland and you will find beer pubs everywhere in the cities. Krakow and Warsaw are full of fresh local beers that are to die for. I long to go back to Poland just to drink the beer!
- Brewery not to miss: Hopium
- Beer style to be sure to try: Imperial Black IPA
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: June-August
2) New Zealand
New Zealand has an incredible craft beer culture that is still mostly unknown to folks in the northern hemisphere. New Zealand has hands down the best IPAs in the world.
I don’t know what it is about Nelson Hops – hops that grow in a specific region in the northwest corner of the South Island – that makes them so good, but they produce the finest hoppy beers you’ll ever have the pleasure of tasting. You can find any beer style you want in New Zealand and chances are whatever beer you try will be delicious.
- Brewery not to miss: Tuatara
- Beer style to be sure to try: Aotearoa Pale Ale
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: Year round
Unfortunately Tuatara has recently been bought by Heineken (Americans can relate to when Heineken bought Lagunitas). Luckily this doesn’t change anything about their amazing beer and they still make by far the best beer I’ve ever had in my life. It’s possible to find Tuatara in a few other countries, but it’s rare. So you’ve really got to make a trip to New Zealand to taste these fine brews.
Ready for a trip to New Zealand? Be sure to check out my epic New Zealand itineraries:
1) USA
Call me biased all you want, but in no country on earth will you find better beer than the United States. Sure, you’ll also find all of the worst beers on the planet, but no one is forcing you to drink Miller Lite. The craft beer revolution started in the US and the country still dominates craft brewing internationally.
These days there are microbreweries on every street corner it seems. Original pioneers like New Belgium and Dogfish Head are still going strong, but you’re likely to find a small brewery making delicious brews wherever you go.
When visiting a town for the first time you can always find something local on the menu. If you want the best of the best, head to the Pacific Northwest. You can’t go to Oregon and leave without thinking you find the Mecca of brewing. But even on the east coast, you’ll find awesome breweries in places like Washington DC, New York, and south Florida.
Craft breweries in the US are mostly regional. The beer list at a bar in Los Angeles will be completely different that the beer list at a bar in New York City. So it’s hard to recommend any particular brewery for a country as vast and with as many breweries as the United States. My personal favorite beer is the peanut butter milk stout made my Belching Beaver in Oceanside, CA.
- Brewery not to miss: There are too many to list
- Beer style to be sure to try: IPA and Peanut Butter Porter
- Best time of year to drink beer outside: Totally depends where you are
Final Note on Which Country has the Best Beer
The craft brewing revolution has taken the world by storm since the turn of the 21st century. Starting in the United States, it’s spread like a virus to the rest of the planet and nearly every country has caught the bug. These days you can find craft breweries from Mumbai to Turks and Caicos.
But not all countries are created equally when it comes to beer. The countries on this list have really set themselves apart. So if you’re into beer-related tourism, you’ll want to focus on one of the countries we went over here. Good thing there are some amazing places to explore in these 10 beautiful countries!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number 1 selling beer in the US?
in 2023 Modelo Especial surpassed Bud Lite to become the number 1 selling beer in the United States. Just don’t bring it to a NASCAR race.
What country invented beer?
As ironic as it is, beer is thought to originate in modern day Iraq, in Mesopotamia. The first records of beer making date back to about 5000-6000 BC.
What is the best beer in the world?
According to members of the Untappd community, the highest rated beer in the world is Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout by Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah, Iowa, USA. With an average ranking of 4.83 out of over 4,000 reviews, it must be freakishly good.
What is the largest beer company in the world?
With an annual revenue of nearly $60 billion USD, Anheuser-Busch is the largest beer company in the world.
