Beer
Beer is brewed almost everywhere in the world - and almost everywhere it tastes different. Water, malt, hops and yeast - that is basically all you need, and yet every country turns them into something else. As a Czech, I have to taste the local beer at least once on every trip, even though I hardly ever drink beer at home. To me it is simply part of getting to know a country, just like tasting the national dish.
And let me lay my cards on the table right away: the best beer in the world is, in my view, brewed by monks.
My Favorite Beers
I will start with the best. The finest beers of all, to my mind, are the Belgian Trappist ales brewed in monasteries. There are around ten certified Trappist breweries in the world today (as of August 2026), and the backbone is the Belgian abbeys of Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren. I have had the chance to taste every single Trappist brand - including the famous Westvleteren, which you can buy practically only at the abbey gate and whose bottles went for many years without a label, because the crown cap carries everything that matters.
One of my fondest beer memories involves a bottle of Westvleteren 12: when I mentioned to our Airbnb host in Belgium that we had tried every Trappist but this one, he brought us a bottle from his own stash.
Among Czech beers my favorites are Zíchovec and Matuška. At Zíchovec my first choice is the assertively bitter West Coast IPA Hotline; with Matuška I like to pick from whatever specials are on. It is not the cheapest pleasure, but the flavor and the bite of these beers will eventually convince you that the price is justified.
And a note on the alcohol-free front: the best alcohol-free beer in Czechia is, for me, Krystus from the Clock brewery. It has become my benchmark, the one I measure alcohol-free beers around the world against, usually in vain.
Beer Hunting Around Prague and Czechia
In Prague I would like to work my way through every stop on the Prague Beer Zoo, the legendary trail of pubs named after animals. Some of them (U Černého vola, U Zlatého tygra) have been going for centuries, and it pays to walk in with a certain humility toward the regulars and the men behind the taps.
Bistro Roesel - beer & food, a few steps from Charles Bridge, is a hidden gem: vaulted ceilings, the hexagonal floor tiles I love and top-class beer at a fair price in a spot where a wary Czech would expect one tourist trap after another. At the Čep & Pec restaurant in Nusle they combine their own craft brewery with a bakery, so alongside a wonderfully drinkable beer you can get, say, fried cheese in a crusty roll baked right there. Pivovarský klub Benedict has been one of my favorite beer pubs since my university days, and I am also fond of Vinohradský pivovar (mainly for their alcohol-free beers, which they brew using a special process).
Beer Discoveries from My European Travels
The biggest beer surprise so far came from Poland. Smoked grodziskie - a beer made from wheat malt dried over oak smoke - is like nothing else I have ever tasted. Honestly, I cannot imagine drinking more than one of them in an evening, but the experience is worth it. Poland is also a world power in Baltic porter; I tried the Komes porter from the Fortuna brewery as well as a porter from the small Szreniawa brewery near Poznań, whose belgian blond I rate as genuinely top class. Szreniawa also has a beer garden right beside the historical aircraft display of the National Museum of Agriculture - I still have not found a better one anywhere. And if you come across mulled beer in Poland - grzaniec, with notes of cinnamon, clove and vanilla - do not be afraid of it. Surprisingly, it is not bad at all.
In Dublin I did not expect much from the tour of the Guinness Brewery and I came away thrilled - you walk seven floors of exhibits at your own pace and you can touch and smell practically everything. The most powerful Irish moment, though, came somewhere else. At Cobblestone pub the guests borrowed the instruments once the live session had ended and carried on spontaneously in the back yard; the only people sitting there with me were locals - the exact opposite of the packed Temple Bar, which mostly put me off. And if you want to experience a proper old Irish pub with a Victorian interior, head for The Long Hall, dating from 1766 - the staff there, incidentally, also let me in on the ritual of the drop of water that opens up Irish whiskey.
In Varna I treated myself to a tasting of six Bulgarian beers at the Key beer bar - the winner was the Pale Ale from the Kazan Artizan microbrewery, and Chipa IPA was a treat that not even a Czech could fault. Over the tasting the manager and I worked our way through Starobrno and the eternal bickering between Brno and Prague. Bulgarian brewing has a Czech connection, by the way: the Shumensko brand was founded in 1882 by the Czech brewmaster František Milde. Spain, in turn, taught me to order beer by the size of the glass - caña, tubo, zurito - and San Miguel became my favorite beer in the Canary Islands.
Beer Where You Would Least Expect It
Countries where beer is anything but a given deserve a chapter of their own. In Turkey, Efes holds roughly three quarters of the market - except that the country is split into "wet" and "dry" zones, and in cities like Konya or Şanlıurfa you can walk for hours without coming across a restaurant licensed to serve alcohol. The easiest way to get a bottle is a tekel, a small shop with a blue neon sign, though after ten in the evening no shop will sell you anything. Locals also say the quality of Efes differs by water source - you will find its code on the can right after the letters TR, and source 35, Izmir, has the best reputation.
In Tunisia, Celtia beer has been brewed since 1951, but in the supermarket you should look for it in a strictly separate corner with its own staff, and in the evening in bars where they tally up your bill from the empty bottles on the table. And did I like it? Surprisingly, yes - a lot. In Iran you cannot buy alcohol at all, yet you will find alcohol-free beer even at a street stall - I had high hopes for the Argo IPA brand because of the name, but it did not deliver. In Israel and Palestine I tasted the kosher Goldstar lager and the Palestinian beer Shepherds from the Birzeit microbrewery, whose shepherd label got past the authorities only on the second attempt - the first design apparently looked too much like Jesus.
In Kyrgyzstan I simply "had to" taste the beer despite the poor reviews - and the gap between the brands was enormous. Unfiltered Zhivoe tasted great, while the description of the national brand Arpa as "soapy beer from Soviet times" is unfortunately fairly accurate. 😢 In Armenia, Gyumri and Ararat struck me as wonderfully drinkable - locals swear it is thanks to the incredibly clean Armenian water. And in Mauritius I opened my first Phoenix after a ten-hour flight from Istanbul and it was unbelievably refreshing; the local The Thirsty Fox IPA also has the most beautiful bottle I have ever seen on a beer.
And what about you: would you try smoked grodziskie, or would you rather stick with the safe bet of a Czech lager?
Cheers and drink responsibly!
Macedonian Beer: Skopsko and Zlaten Dab in a Land of Wine and Rakija
In practice, Macedonian beer means two brands: Skopsko from the capital and Zlaten Dab from Prilep, pale lagers at around 4.5% ABV. Skopsko holds two thirds of the market; the company that brews it was founded by Czechs in 1922 and now belongs to Heineken and Coca-Cola. Statistics say beer is actually the number one alcoholic drink in this land of wine and rakija.
Albanian Beer
The most popular Albanian beer brands include Tirana, Korça, Elbar, Stela, Kaon, and Norga. Beer is widely available throughout the country, even though it is not among the dominant alcoholic drinks (wine and raki still lead the way). Traditionally, it is served with dishes such as qofte, tavë kosi, byrek, or fërgesë.
Iranian Non-Alcoholic Beer
In Iran, the consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited due to Islamic rules, which has led to the development of a market for non-alcoholic beers. Among the most popular local brands are Hey Day and Istak, the latter being considered a pioneer of non-alcoholic beers in Iran. Iranian non-alcoholic beers have a sweeter taste and resemble basic European non-alcoholic beers. Non-alcoholic beers are widely available in supermarkets, restaurants, and stalls, and they are very affordable.
Čep & Pec Restaurant, Prague: A Craft Brewery Combined with a Bakery
Čep & Pec is a pub-café located in Prague's Nusle district. It was founded in 2021 as a space to showcase the beers of the Four Elements brewery. The craft brewery’s offerings are uniquely combined with a bakery. The menu is built on time-tested Czech pub classics such as pickled cheese or pickled sausages.
Tunisian Beer
In Tunisia, alcohol consumption is restricted, but beer is still officially produced. You can find it in specialized sections of larger supermarkets or enclosed bars in major cities. The most well-known Tunisian beer brands are Celtia, Stella, and Golden Brau.
Kyrgyz Beer
The history of Kyrgyz brewing dates back to the early 20th century, when the most prominent brewery producing the Arpa brand was established. This Soviet-style pale beer is popular more for nostalgia, with a simpler flavor profile. The second major local brand is Zhivoe beer. As a beer lover, I tasted both in Kyrgyzstan - Zhivoe pleasantly surprised me with its flavor, while Arpa was more of a disappointment for me.
Automat Matuška: Perfect Craft Beer in Prague's Dejvice
Automat Matuška, opened in 2019 in Prague's Dejvice, offers uncompromising quality beer from its own microbrewery and food inspired by American BBQ. It also features its own nanobrewery, where you can try brewing your own beer.
Bistro Roesel - Beer & Food: A Hidden Beer Gem Near Charles Bridge
Bistro Roesel - beer & food is a hidden gem in the heart of Prague, just a few steps away from touristy spots. The interior with vaulted ceilings and hexagonal tiles creates a unique atmosphere that engulfs you right upon entry. Friendly service and top-notch beer from Czech craft breweries at very reasonable prices are further reasons why this establishment is worth a visit.
Polish Beer
Polish beer is deeply rooted in the local culture. The most popular styles are lagers, wheat beers, and dark beers. The market is dominated by three large groups: Kompania Piwowarska, Grupa Żywiec, and Carlsberg Polska. In addition to these, there are also numerous smaller craft breweries in Poland that brew unique, high-quality beers. Beer styles that originated in Poland include Baltic porter and grodziskie. Polish craft beers are definitely worth tasting and can surprise even experienced beer connoisseurs.
Porter Bałtycki: Strong Dark Beer from the Baltic
Baltic porter is a strong dark beer with a high alcohol content, often referred to as the Polish national beer style. It is characterized by a rich flavor with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, dried fruit, and caramel. It originated as a local substitute for imperial stout during the Napoleonic blockade. Baltic porter is an integral part of Polish beer culture and is definitely worth tasting.