The Best Cities in Europe for Beer Lovers

From the iconic brewing nations of Germany, the Czech Republic and Belgium to lesser-known but excellent beer countries, Europe is full of great beer cities. What makes a destination a great European beer city? Well, for starters, it should be home to a legacy brewer or two, a few up-and-coming craft breweries and perhaps even have a unique beer style to call its own. The following 25 cities in Europe are all known for their beer culture in some way, shape or form and should be on the radar of any beer lover traveling to Europe. Pop a top, pour yourself a brew and click on the slideshow to experience a tour of Europe's great beer cities.

Arguably Europe's most enthralling destination, London often gets overlooked when it comes to beer destinations and that's a big mistake. During its brewing heyday in the 1700s & 1800s, this city had more breweries than anywhere else in the world and it even gave birth to three iconic styles of beer: porter, stout and India Pale Ale. Those great beers sit alongside classic ales and new-school craft beers on taps inside the city's sensational pubs, which are worth visiting the city for alone.

If there is one European city that is synonymous with its suds, it's Munich. The capital of Germany's brewing-mad state of Bavaria, Munich is home to iconic beer halls (Hofbrauhaus and Augustiner Stammhaus among many others), leafy beer gardens and the world-famous Oktoberfest festival each autumn. The beer culture here runs deep and a sunny afternoon spent in one of the aforementioned beer gardens will be a delight for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

This is it, the precise spot where the magic started. Pilsen is the birthplace of pilsner beer (the brew took its name from the city from which it sprung forth) and a pilgrimage to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery is a must for all beer lovers passing through this section of Central Europe.

Pilsner may have been invented in Pilsen, but Prague is the place you'll have the most fun drinking it. From rustic restaurants & beer halls to specialist bars like Pivovarský klub Benedict and the famed Letná Park beer garden overlooking the city, the culture of beer is intertwined with Czech capital. And in terms of quality compared to the price you'll pay, Prague just might offer the best deal on the continent.

Bruges will probably never be considered the "best" place to drink beer in Belgium, but it offers an unrivaled opportunity to quaff quality Belgian suds while being surrounded by one of Europe's most beguiling cityscapes. See the sights of the city before spending an afternoon sipping Belgian ales by a canal or paying a visit to the De Halve Maan brewery for an entertaining and thirst-quenching tour.

To clear up any misconceptions, they most definitely brew great beer in Scandinavia. Head north to Denmark's capital to experience the two of the continent's most revered craft brewers in their hometown (Mikeller and To Øl) before comparing and contrasting them to the city's two most famous big brewers: Carlsberg and Touborg.

The birthplace of kölsch -an ultra-drinkable ale/lager hybrid-and home to characterful bars that proudly serve this great beer in tiny-yet-just-perfect glasses, Cologne is one of Germany's most underrated beer cities. Visit the Brauerei Päffgen or Fruh Brauhaus to sample the city's famed brew, but be aware that the beer halls' famously brusk waiters will keep bringing you refills of kölsch until you wave them off.

Yes, Dublin is the home of Guinness and no self-respecting beer lover would visit here without raising a pint of the dark stuff in one of the city's fine pubs-many that feature handsome interiors complete with snugs-or visiting the Guinness Storehouse, but it's not the only great beer being poured in this city. A visit to brewpubs from craft outfits like Porterhouse-famed for this Oyster Stout-and Rascals will more than satisfy your curiosity for a taste of the current Irish beer scene.

The capital of Belgium is arguably the best place to sample the country's greatest export. Here, you can choose from hanging out at elite-level beer bars or visiting the breweries themselves, like the legendary Cantillon, which has gained an international reputation for itself with its range of spontaneously-fermented beers. Don't forget to grab an order of some of the city's famed golden-fried frites (fries) after a session of sipping Belgian beers.

Bavaria is the undisputed king of brewing in Germany, but Upper Franconia is Bavaria's most prolific beermaking region and this beautiful town beside the Regnitz River should be a must-stop for any beer lover touring the area. Bamberg is renowned for its unique rauchbier ("smoke beer") served up at Schlenkerla brewpub, but it's just the tip of the iceberg as this small town is home to several breweries and just as many tasty styles.

The capital of Switzerland is also the hub of Swiss brewing as it's home to more breweries than anywhere else in this alpine nation. Grab a deliciously cloudy Bärner Müntschi beer from iconic brewery Felsenau before exploring the craft offerings at the Altes Tramdepot or Barbière brewpubs.

Homebase for craft brewing legend Omnipollo-one of Europe's most adored beermakers-Stockholm is overlooked no more when it comes to beer. Head to Omnipollo Hatt brewpub to try out some of their unique creations (and tasty pizza!) before heading to the waterside to sample some of the brews from Stockholm Brewing Co. at their taproom or making for the hip Hornstall neighborhood to sample some of the brews from Pang Pang Brewery at their showcase restaurant.

This lively college town lies a short train ride from Brussels and in addition to being home to a host of great bars pouring and popping the top of great Belgian beers, it's home to global beer icon Stella Artois. Visit the Stella brewery to learn all about this iconic brand before heading into the town center to sip a few beers from one of Leuven's other local beermakers Brewery Breda.

Famed for its altbier-a chestnut-colored lager-style beer with a kiss of fruit-this city on the Rhine River is a beer lover's dream. The best part about a beer-centric trip to Dusseldorf? The city's brewing prowess has managed to slip under the radar to many beer lovers, so it still feels a bit like being let in on a secret. Be warned, the locals will probably will ask you if you prefer their altbier to the kölsch being served in neighboring rival Cologne, and well, you know the right answer to that question.

From the awesome Indian street food & craft beer mashup Bundobust to the renowned Runaway and world-famous Cloudwater, this city sits near the top of the British craft beer game. Visit to go a bit off the beaten path of Britain and quaff some tasty serious suds along the way. If you're into sports, pair up the beer-sipping with a trip to watch either Manchester United or Manchester City play at their pitches, both located near the city center.

It's easy to see why folks would think that Italians are all about wine and wine alone, but those that dig deeper will discover a country in love with its beer and the Eternal City is the spot to sample a fine sampling of the nation's best brews. Sure, you'll be able to score Peroni and Moretti bottles all over the city, but you'll leave more in love with one of the up-and-coming birre artigianali (artisan beer) that you sampled in one of Rome's tap rooms. The best spot? That's easily Open Baladin, which features 40 Italian artisan craft beers on draft.

Ghent sits in the "Goldilocks zone" of the Belgian travel world, as it's just right when it comes to the balance of its gorgeous cityscape and popularity. Visit one of the city's many cozy pubs and waterside bars like Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant to sample beer from across Belgium or visit an esteemed local brewery like Brouwbar or Gruut.

There's been a fair amount of buzz lately about Lithuanian beer and the majority of the hype has been centered around the nation's funky farmhouse ales, which are often the work of homebrewers. You'll be able to taste plenty of these wonderful beers at bars around Vilnius like Alaus Namai, which specializes in serving a spectrum of the nation's finest beers.

Perhaps it's the city's proximity to both Germany and the Czech Republic, but despite giving its name to Vienna Lager-a tasty amber beer-the Austrian capital still manages to fly under the radar of many beef-focused travelers. Any trip here should start at the Ottakringer, as this brewery has been making beer since the early 1800s and has also recently dipped its toe into the creative craft beer game with its Brauwerk line. If you don't make it there, rest assured that any of the city's famed beisls (comfy traditional restaurants) will serve you up a tasty Austrian brew.

Another victim of geography-this time being overshadowed by neighbors Germany and Belgium-The Netherlands never seems to come up on lists like this, but rest assured that the Dutcch know how to brew great beer. Amsterdam is the best place to sample it all, with great bars like Proeflokaal Arendsnest featuring nothing but Dutch beer and craft brewers in the city like Oedipus, Brouwerij 't IJ or Troost brewing with enough skill to compete with anyone on the continent. Oh, and this is to say nothing of the city's most famous big-name beers that are great for a "when in Rome" order: Heineken and Amstel.

Partly due to its close proximity to both Germany and the Czech Republic, this Polish city has a rich brewing heritage, which has recently flourished yet again to become Poland's unofficial capital of craft brewing. Kontynuacja is a great brewpub to start your beer-drinking adventure at as they are renowned for their rotating taps and tasty pub grub.

The German capital is bubbling over with craft breweries these days, with a few of them knocking out stellar versions of the city's signature, ever-so-slightly tart Berliner Weisse. Brewbaker, Vagabund, BRLO and American icon Stone Brewing are some of the best beers and taprooms to seek out during your time in this effervescent city.

Sure wine may be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of France, but here in the northern part of the country, it's all about beer. Lille is located a short hop from Belgium and its citizens enjoy a rich history of brewing and imbibing hops-based beverages. Spend a night or two here sipping local beers and regional craft beer at great bars like Les 3 Brasseurs or La Capsule and you'll leave pleasantly surprised at your off-the-beaten-path beer discovery.

Bristol is one of the UK's coolest cities, full stop and it sits atop the leaderboard when it comes to brewing and craft beer as well. Fierce & Noble, Wiper & True and Lost and Grounded are three of the most acclaimed craft breweries in the city, each open to the public on select dates for imbibing sessions.

Sure, this scintillating city on the sea is known for sangria and cava, but the beer flows here, too. Big-time brewer Estrella Damm is about as synonymous with the city as its soccer team, but craft squads like Garage Brewing, Barcelona Beer Company and La Pirata are giving it a run for its money when it comes to brewing in the city. Visit their tap rooms or one of the many bars around the city pouring craft beers to experience this revolution for yourself.