Beer Crawl in the European Continent – The ultimate guide

• The Czechs and the Germans meet head-on when it comes to per capita beer consumption. At present Czechs are the clear leader

• In the beer houses here, the bartender will refill your glass every time you empty it – I literally had to physically stop him from pouring more!

• The French and The Beer! I was surprised, are you?

• The French have a long history of beer brewing unknown to most. Kronenbourg is a welcome change when touring this wine country

• When in Belgium, do what the Belgian do! Drink Belgian beer. You can never run out of varieties to try!

• Of all the ones I tried, I really enjoyed the “Trappist” beers (brewed in a monastery by monks) and Chimay was my absolute favourite

• When you see Bavaria all over Dutch pubs, hold on your thoughts before you think Germans have taken over the beer scene here.

• Bavaria is as Dutch as it could be and with its own unique and distinct taste

• Greeks have some really weird alcoholic drinks (Read > Raki, Ouzo and Retsina). But they also have been doing conventional things since ages (Read > Brew beer)

• Apparently, the study of beer and beer-making – Zythology is derived from the Greek words “zythos” (beer) and “logos” (study). Thats some real Greek influence!

• Germans are really serious about their beer. They even have a Purity Law which states that only ingredients which can be used to make beer in Germany are Water, Barley, and Hops. Nothing else!

• While HB is widely available across Germany, you must certainly have a pint at their brewhouse in Munich. It is an experience!

• A word of caution: it is considered rude to clink your beer glasses in Hungary.

• The legend goes that when the 1848 Hungarian revolution was defeated, 13 Hungarian generals were executed, and the Austrians clinking their beer glasses after each execution.

• After this, Hungarians vowed to not cheer with the beer for 150 years. That time has passed, but it’s still a custom

• There is nothing more contentious than arguing with a Slovene about the brand of domestic beer they prefer

• Union and Lasko are like Coke and Pepsi here. I have my clear favourite though!

• The Turks are increasingly moving away from the traditional Raki (aniseed-flavored alcoholic drink). It takes guts to try Raki!

• Efes is the Nation’s second favourite after raki and one of the most beloved beers

• Bratislava takes its beer just as seriously as its more famous neighbour, Prague

• Make sure to try their favourite beer when in town.

• Honestly, Croatia is more famous for its cafe-culture than its beer-culture

• But when you are in this country and need a break from coffee, be sure to ask for a Karlovačko

• You can have a Carlsberg anywhere in the world, but it is another feeling to have it where it all began

• When Danish scientist Niels Bohr won the Nobel Prize in 1922, Carlsberg gave him a perpetual supply of beer piped into his house. That some serious extra motivation to win more Nobels in the future!

• The Norwegians really love beer!

• So much so that Norway‘s first aircraft hijacking was resolved after the hijacker surrendered his weapon in exchange for more beer

• Germany and Austria might be politically separated but the beer brewing passion is still the same

• Try Stiegl, but beware the sour notes can come as an unpleasant surprise