Budapest's Best Beers: A Guide To Hungarian Brews

Budapest is a great destination for beer lovers. The city has a thriving craft beer scene, with new microbreweries popping up all the time, and plenty of bars to visit. If you're looking for a fun way to discover the city's beer culture, you can even take a Beer Bus tour, which offers an hour-long ride around the Hungarian capital with unlimited beer on board. So, what are the best beers to drink in Budapest?

Hungarian craft beers

Budapest is a vibrant hub for craft beer, with new microbreweries popping up all over the city. Hungarian craft beers can be sampled at bars such as Élesztő, which serves a rotating set of 25 beers on tap, ranging from light beers to sour IPAs. The bar is housed in a former glass production plant, with century-old brick walls and exposed fermentation tanks, giving it a unique sense of character.

Another popular spot is Hopaholic, a snug craft beer bar located in the city's party district. Hopaholic offers a dizzying range of international craft beers, with bottled beers from over 250 microbreweries worldwide, as well as ten rotating beers on tap. The bar is known for its knowledgeable bartenders, who are happy to provide samples for those feeling overwhelmed by the extensive options.

For those interested in trying a variety of Hungarian craft beers, the Budapest Beer Week festival is a must-visit. The festival invites breweries from all over the world, with a strong focus on local producers. In 2023, 11 Hungarian breweries were present, including Balkezes, Dealbreaker, Fehér Nyul, First Craft Beer, HopTop, Horizont, Monyo, Reketye, Ugar and Uradalmi. The festival offers an excellent opportunity to discover new beers and explore the city's vibrant craft beer scene.

In addition to the festival, Budapest is home to several excellent craft beer bars and breweries. Gravity, located in the city's pre-war building, is one of the few places where the brewery is located on-site. They offer a range of approachable New England IPAs, rye beers, and imperial stouts. KEG, a below-ground craft beer bar in the Újbuda neighbourhood, offers nearly 30 types of beers on tap, mostly sourced from leading local breweries.

With its thriving craft beer scene, Budapest offers beer enthusiasts a unique and exciting experience, showcasing the best of Hungarian craft beers and providing a platform for local breweries to shine.

International craft beers

Budapest's craft beer scene is thriving, with new microbreweries and craft beer bars popping up all over the city. If you're looking for international craft beers in particular, here are some places to check out:

Hopaholic

Located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, Hopaholic offers a wide range of Hungarian and imported beers. They source bottled beers from over 250 microbreweries worldwide, in addition to ten rotating beers on tap. You can find everything from cloudy, yeasty hefeweizens to imperial stouts and fruity lambic beers. The bar has a minimalist interior, letting the beers take centre stage.

Hops

Hops is a craft beer dive bar in the party district of Budapest. With over 200 types of bottles on offer, it's a beer lover's paradise. They stock beers from well-known international breweries like Denmark's Mikkeller, as well as small producers from Scotland, Belgium, and the US. You can also find a small selection of Hungarian beers that the owners believe can stand up to international comparison.

Madhouse

Madhouse is a large downtown beer hall owned by Mad Scientist, a leading Budapest craft brewery. They have around 25 taps featuring their own creations, as well as beers from other local labels. Their selection includes a wide range of styles, from vanilla-infused wheat beer to classic double IPAs and aged sour ales. Madhouse also serves good bar food and has a mixed crowd of beer enthusiasts, couples, and groups of friends.

Csakajósör

Csakajósör, which translates to 'only good beer', offers a carefully curated selection of beers from all over the world. In addition to the usual pilsners, IPAs, and lagers, you'll find red ales, dark beers, wheat beers, and sour beers. They have six taps with a rotating selection and a variety of bottles to choose from.

Ganz Söröző

This charming, tiny bar is located on a quiet, car-free street in Buda. It's a great spot to enjoy a mix of local and international craft beers, with ten beers on draft and many more by the bottle. Ganz Söröző is especially enjoyable during the summer months when patrons spill out onto the outdoor tables shaded by a towering tree.

Traditional breweries

Budapest is a great place for beer lovers, with a thriving craft beer scene and many traditional breweries to explore. Here are some of the top spots to check out:

Dreher

Dreher is an old Hungarian brewery with a diverse range of beers. Their classic offering is the sweet and crisp Dreher Classic, a pilsner-style lager. They also produce the Dreher Bak, a rich and full-bodied dark double bock, and a complex and fruity pale ale. Dreher has become a well-known brand in Hungary, and you can find their beers in many bars and restaurants throughout Budapest.

Szalon

Szalon is Hungary's oldest brewery, dating back to 1848 and located in Pecs in the southwest of the country. Their pale ale, Szalon Sor, is a popular choice, known for its fresh and fruity taste. As the country's longest-running brewery, Szalon offers a traditional beer-drinking experience and is definitely worth a visit for beer enthusiasts.

Borsodi

Borsodi is a relatively new beer company that has quickly gained popularity. Their signature brew is the Borsodi Bivaly, a strong amber lager with a mild caramel taste and a respectable 6.5% ABV. While they may be a more modern addition to the Hungarian beer scene, Borsodi has made a name for itself and can be found in many establishments throughout Budapest.

Feher Nyul Brewery

The Feher Nyul Brewery is a microbrewery located outside Budapest's city centre. They offer a unique atmosphere, often hosting tours that introduce visitors to the manufacturing process of their craft beers. During the tour, participants can taste different types of malt and hops and learn about beer-making. The Feher Nyul Brewery provides a fun and educational experience for beer enthusiasts.

FIRST Craft Beer Brewery & Taproom

FIRST Craft Beer has three locations in Budapest. The brewery taproom is located just north of the city, while the downtown area features two nearby bars: FIRST Local and FIRST Craft Beer & BBQ. The latter is a popular spot, offering a wide selection of their own beers and a food menu. With multiple locations, FIRST Craft Beer provides a convenient and enjoyable traditional brewery experience.

These traditional breweries offer a glimpse into Hungary's rich beer culture, combining history, craftsmanship, and unique flavours. Whether you're a beer connoisseur or just looking to explore Budapest's beverage offerings, these breweries are sure to provide a delightful drinking experience.

Beer bars and pubs

Budapest has a thriving craft beer scene, with new microbreweries popping up all over the city. Here are some of the best beer bars and pubs to check out:

Élesztő

Located outside the city centre, Élesztő is a craft beer bar housed in a former glass production plant. The century-old brick walls and exposed fermentation tanks give it a unique atmosphere. They serve a rotating selection of 25 beers on tap, ranging from light lagers to sour IPAs. If you get hungry, Butcher's Kitchen, a food stall in the courtyard, serves excellent pastrami and pulled pork sandwiches.

Hopaholic

Nestled in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, Hopaholic offers a dizzying array of Hungarian and international craft beers. They have ten rotating beers on tap and bottled beers from over 250 microbreweries worldwide. The bartenders are happy to provide samples if you're feeling overwhelmed by the extensive selection. Hopaholic has a snug, intimate setting without the typical craft beer bar decor.

Gravity

Gravity is a craft beer bar located in the basement of a pre-war building, where the brewery itself is on-site. They offer a range of approachable New England IPAs, rye beers, and hefty imperial stouts. There are twelve beers on tap, including a few from other Hungarian producers, such as the hops-infused cider by Budaprés. The prices are a bit more reasonable compared to other craft beer bars.

KEG

KEG is a below-ground craft beer bar in the fashionable Újbuda neighbourhood. They have nearly 30 types of beers on tap, mostly sourced from leading local breweries. The brick-arched basement setting and solid burgers make it a great spot to hang out and enjoy a drink.

Madhouse

Madhouse is an oversized downtown beer hall owned by Mad Scientist, a leading Budapest craft brewery. They have 25 taps featuring their own creations and other local labels. The selections include a wide range of beers, from vanilla-infused wheat beer to classic double IPAs and aged sour ales. The prices are on the steeper side, but the crowd is more diverse than your average craft beer bar.

Mélypont Presszó

Mélypont Presszó is a cavernous, below-ground bar located on a quiet backstreet in downtown Budapest. It's a popular spot for students from nearby universities and occasionally attracts a rowdy crowd. Despite this, it's also suitable for a date night, thanks to its many hidden nooks and crannies. They offer local craft beers on tap and by the bottle, as well as top-shelf whiskies.

Beer festivals and events

Budapest is known for its vibrant culture, architecture, and history, and it also has a thriving beer scene. The city hosts several beer festivals and events annually, which have gained popularity among beer enthusiasts locally and internationally. Here is a guide to some of the notable beer festivals and events in Budapest:

Budapest Beer Week (BPBW)

Budapest Beer Week is an annual celebration of craft beer culture, featuring tastings, brewery tours, seminars, tap takeovers, concerts, and professional events. The event showcases local and international craft beer brands, with participation from prominent Hungarian breweries like Armando_Otchoa, Balkezes, and Feher Nyul. BPBW offers a unique opportunity to sample a wide range of beers, from barrel-aged imperial stouts to fruity berliner weisses and classic lagers. The festival usually takes place in May, with the next edition scheduled for May 30 - June 1, 2025.

Beer Festival in Budapest City Center

This festival, usually held in early September, offers a chance to taste a variety of beers from both large beer makers and smaller artisan breweries. The venue is Szabadság tér (Liberty Square), a lovely, spacious park in downtown Budapest, conveniently located near attractions like the Parliament and St. Stephen's Basilica. The festival features around 250 beer specialties, including local, imported, and craft brews. It also offers food trucks, street food, and concerts in the evenings, creating a laid-back, picnic atmosphere.

Craft Beer Festival in Óbuda

A three-day event in late August, the Craft Beer Festival in Óbuda focuses on showcasing the best craft beers. It takes place in the Main Square in Óbuda, District III, and includes concerts in the evenings.

Czech Beer Festival

The Czech Beer Festival, typically held in June, celebrates Czech beers, gastronomy, and music. It is organised in a lovely rooftop park in the city centre, on the Roof Terrace of the WestEnd Shopping Centre.

OktoberFest Budapest

Modelled after the famous Oktoberfest in Munich, the Budapest edition offers a similar experience on the banks of the Danube River. Held towards the end of September or the beginning of October, this four-day event features top Hungarian, Bavarian, and other international craft breweries. It also includes a Farmers' and Gastro fair, with cultural and fun activities for children, making it a family-friendly festival.

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