Countries

Move over, Malbec! While Argentina is most well-known for its wine and beef, it does have a budding beer industry. As in many countries in the Americas, beer was brought to Argentina by European settlers. Argentina's most famous breweries is Quilmes, which was founded in 1888 by German immigrant Otto Bemberg.

Beer and brewing has enjoyed a long history in Austria, where you'll find considerably more variety than in neighboring Germany. Austria is home to many small breweries, the most recognizable of which is Stiegl.

Long heralded as a mecca for beer lovers, Belgium boasts a wealth of beer history and culture dating back to the 12th century. From traditional Trappist monasteries to monster macro conglomerates like AB InBev, Belgium has something for everyone. Belgium is at (or very near) the top of every beer fan's bucket list. It offers a fantastic experience of beer culture, from brewing methods to glassware, beer cuisine, beer festivals, and much more.

Stephen Beaumont famously wrote, "Along with back bacon, winter, and hockey, beer practically defines Canada." European settlers brought beer to Canada in the 17th century. Its most famous breweries include Labatt's and Molson.

Beer's history in China dates as far back as 7000 BC. Mostly dominated by pale lagers, Chinese beer is known for the use of adjunct grains such as rice, sorghum and rye, in addition to the traditional barley. China's most famous brews include Tsingtao and Snow Beer.

Beer brewing started up in the region that is now the Czech Republic all the way back in 993 at Břevnov Monastery. Since then, Bohemian beers have been long enjoyed by people all over the world. The familiar terms "pilsner" and "budweiser" come from the Czech Republic, though not without a significant amount of drama. The most famous Czech brews are undoubtedly Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar.

In Denmark, the beer market is dominated by Carlsberg, a famous brand of pale lager. J.C. Jacobsen founded Carlsberg in 1847 and famously bred a new strain of lager yeast called Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, which enabled the mass production of consistently flavored lager beer. The Danish market has been so dominated by Carlsberg, but a desire for more variety and quality is now leading to the opening of more small craft breweries and brewpubs.

In the Dominican Republic, beer is synonymous with Presidente, the country's national offering. Cervecería Nacional Dominicana brews and exports the pilsner all over the world. Established in 1929 by industrialist Charles H. Wanzer, the brewery's iconic beer was named for then-President Rafael Leónidas Trujillo.

Beer in England goes back hundreds of years. Its most famous styles include bitter, mild, brown ale and old ale. Other notable styles that originated in England include stout, porter and India Pale Ale. Real Ale, or beer that's top fermented in a cask, is also a staple of the English beer industry. England's most famous brands include Fuller's, Samuel Smith's, Bass, and Newcastle.

Beer existed in present-day Estonia as far back as 500AD, and was mostly used as a sacrificial drink. Its oldest continuously operating brewery, A. Le Coq, was established in 1807 by Albert L.J. Le Coq. A. Le Coq continues to be Estonia's largest beverage maker.

While Finland's history with beer dates back to the Middle Ages, its current industry climate has become more well-known as an international market than a local one. Danish giant Carlsberg dominates the Finnish market. Since 1985, small microbreweries have been slowly growing in number.

France, known around the world for its elevated cuisine, wines, ciders, and cheeses, has a largely macro-centric beer scene. Light beers dominate the market, which is 90% controlled by major macrobrewers. The region, however, is more notable in that it is Europe's largest producer of barley, and the world's largest exporter of malt.

Germany and beer go together like bread and butter. Known around the world as a country of meticulous precision and superb craftsmanship, Germany maintains strict brewing standards known as the Reinheitsgebot, or "purity decree". Famous for festivals like Oktoberfest, wheat styles (weizens), and big glass boots full of beer, Germany remains one of the must-visit countries for beer enjoyment.

Beer from Ireland? Have a Guinness. The number of breweries in Ireland fell drastically during the 19th and 20th centuries, but the country remains well-known for its alcoholic beverage offerings, which in terms of beer include lagers, stouts, Irish red ales, and real ale. Some of Ireland's most famous brands include Guinness, Murphy's, Beamish, Smithwick's, and Harp.

Don't forget, we have Italy to thank for the whole pizza and beer thing. Obviously famous for its wine and cuisine, Italy does boast a decent beer industry. It all dates back to the 7th century BC, when the Phoenicians brewed, drank, and traded beer. The most famous brewery in Italy today is undoubtedly Peroni, which opened in 1846 in Vigevano.

Japan, a country with deep cultural history, did not feature beer until the 17th century when Dutch traders opened a beer hall for sailors in Nagasaki. Among Japan's most famous breweries, Kirin Brewing Company began in Yokohama in 1869, and Sapporo Brewery was founded in 1876. Asahi Breweries, another notable Japanese brewer, traces its origins to the Osaka Beer Brewing Company, which opened in 1889. Today, the Japanese beer industry is home to a growing number of craft breweries that brew just about the full spectrum of styles.

Like many countries, Kenya features a fairly young and one-sided beer industry. Tusker Lager is the flagship national brew, made by Kenya Breweries limited, which was founded by George Hurst in 1922. George was apparently trampled to death by a rogue male elephant in 1923, which is where the Tusker name originated. Yikes. Nairobi now boasts a couple of craft breweries in Big Five Breweries and Sierra Premium.

Lithuania has a long farmhouse beer tradition, which dates back to the 11th century when it was brewed for ancient Baltic festivals and rituals. Beer is the most common alcoholic beverage in Lithuania, and while the country isn't known for its beer industry, it is unique in that it has maintained its own independent traditions. Utenos Alus is Lithuania's largest beer maker.

Mexico has a long history of fermented beverage making, but barley-based cerveza didn't truly come on the scene until the colonial era that followed the Spanish conquests of Hernan Cortes. After Mexico won its independence and German immigrants arrived, the rest was, as they say, history. Today, Grupo Modelo holds the keys to the Mexican beer industry and independent microbreweries are rare by comparison. Notable Mexican brands include Bohemia, Dos Equis, Corona, Negra Modelo, Sol, Tecate, and Pacifico.

The French brought beer to Morocco in the 20th century, and today that tradition continues through Societe des Brasseries du Maroc, which oversees production and distribution of beer in the country. Heineken is the best selling beer in Morocco, and is brewed locally under contract with Heineken International. Other notable local beers include Stork, Casablanca, and Speciale Flag.

The Netherlands, famed for introducing beer to many countries around the world, is a market dominated by pale lagers, and home to some of the largest beer companies in the world. Heineken, Grolsch and Bavaria are the big three, with the latter two being significant global exporters. The Netherlands exports the largest proportion of beer of any country in the world—about 50% of production. The country also boasts two of the ten Trappist breweries: Koningshoeven (La Trappe) and De Kievit (Zundert).

Apparently, the first New Zealand beer was brewed by Captain James Cook while anchored off the shores of Queen Charlotte Sound in 1770. After its introduction in the late 18th century, beer in New Zealand inherited the traditions of European brewers, specifically England and Ireland, on its way to becoming the industry it is today. The top New Zealand breweries include Lion (now Japanese owned) and DB Breweries (Heineken owned).

Norway's history with beer is both deep and wide, going back about 1000 years. Every Norwegian farmhouse—until the early 19th century—had a brewhouse. Government restrictions have kept the beer industry in Norway from rapid growth and the ABV from going much higher than 6 or 7%. Carlsberg-Ringnes and Hansa-Borg are the largest two brewers, but a number of craft microbrewers enjoy succcess, such as Nogne-O, Austmann, and Haandbryggeriet.

The Romans brewed and drank beer in the province of Lusitania, or modern day Portugal. Despite this relatively ancient history, modern brewing did not start in Portugal until the 19th century under the Estado Novo regime. Today, Portugal is a notable producer and exporter of beer. Notable brewers include Central de Cervejas, Cereuro, and Dois Corvos.

In Russia, beer is vodka's little brother. It is the world's fourth largest beer market. The Russians categorize their beer by color rather than fermentation technique, as Light, Red, Semi-Dark, and Dark. The main Russian breweries include Baltic Beverages Holding, Baltika Breweries, and Tinkoff Brewery.

Scotland, true to its heritage of ancient beverages, boasts a rich history of beer brewing that dates back nearly 5,000 years. Herbs such as heather and myrtle were used as bittering agents for centuries, and these ancient traditions remain in Scotland today. By the 20th century, modern brewing had emerged in Scotland. Notable Scottish breweries include Brewdog, Tempest Brewing Company, Fyne Ales, and Harviestoun.

Slovakia has a long history with beer and brewing, a history shared with its neighbor, the Czech Republic. The Slovak beer tradition has centered around lower-ABV beers, and dates back to the Middle Ages. Modern brewing in Slovakia developed in the early 20th century, following in the footsteps of the Czech beer industry. The largest operations were nationalized after World War II, and today Slovakia is enjoying a growing microbrewery scene. Herbanovo's Zlaty Bazant, or Golden Pheasant, is the country's most famous brand.

Spain has Charles V to thank for its introduction to beer during the 16th century. After the ruler brought brewing to Iberia, small breweries began popping up operated by Flemish, Alsacian, and German immigrants. Beer was not popularized in Spanish culture until the 20th century however, when Spain's current breweries were born and the Spanish people developed a legitimate taste for it. The notable Spanish beer brands of today include Mahou, Aguila, Cruzcampo, and Damm.

The Sri Lanka beer industry is small: a teardrop in the vast ocean of global beer making. Beer entered the scene in the late 19th century primarily to satisfy the needs of colonial tea planters. Three brewers make up most of the local market, including Lion Brewery, Asia Pacific Brewery Lanka Limited, and McCallum Brewery.

Although beer existed in the United States from its birth (and before), it wasn't until Prohibition that the state of beer in America was truly united. Today, the United States is arguably the world's most important beer market, where brewers enjoy the most freedom to practice and advance their craft. The market is a true melting pot of brewing styles and traditions, and the beer community is as vibrant as it is diverse. While things really got started during and as a result of the Prohibition Era (1919-1933), fermented drinks pre-date the country's founding in 1776. Hailed as a land of opportunity, huge macrobrewing enterprises like AB InBev and MillerCoors co-exist alongside a growing number of small craft beer companies. A country built by immigrants, America has heavy European brewing influences. The number of influential breweries are too great to number, and the list continues to evolve as independent brewers push innovation in the craft and give the world more and more interesting lagers and ales to explore.