Hungarian Beer: Where To Buy And Taste The Best Brews

Hungary is known for its delicious beers, and there are several options for purchasing Hungarian beer, depending on your location. If you are in Hungary, especially in Budapest, you can find a variety of local beers, such as Dreher, Arany Ászok, and Sorproni, in stores and pubs throughout the country. For those outside of Hungary, there are online retailers like Amazon, Hungarian Goods, and Beers of Europe that offer delivery services for Hungarian beer. Some websites even offer free delivery if you spend over a certain amount. So, whether you're in Hungary or abroad, you have options to enjoy a refreshing Hungarian beer.

Hungarian beer brands

Hungary has a rich history of beer brewing, with the country's first commercial brewery established in Buda in 1845. Since then, several large commercial brewers have emerged, alongside microbreweries and a thriving craft beer scene. Here are some of the top Hungarian beer brands:

Dreher

Dreher is one of Hungary's oldest breweries, founded by Anton Dreher in 1862. The brewery produces a range of beers, including the sweet and crisp Dreher Classic, a pilsner-style lager, the Dreher Bak, a rich, full-bodied dark double bock, and a pale ale with a complex, fruity taste. The Dreher brand is known for its deep brown colour and powerful body, achieved through a combination of Bavarian, Pilzen, and Caramel malts.

Arany Ászok

Arany Ászok is a widely produced and affordable pilsner lager that can be found throughout Hungary. It has a golden colour, a slightly bitter taste, and a low ABV of 4.3%.

Sorproni

Sorproni is a popular Hungarian beer known for its tasty and affordable IPA. They also brew the Soproni Fekete Demon, a dark German-style Dunkel with nutty and malty flavours and a sweet aftertaste.

Borsodi

Borsodi is a relatively new beer company that has gained popularity in recent years. Their most notable brew is the Borsodi Bivaly, a strong amber lager with a mild caramel taste and an ABV of 6.5%.

Szalon

Szalon is Hungary's oldest brewery, established in 1848 in Pecs, in the southwest of the country. Their pale ale, Szalon Sor, is a popular choice known for its fresh and fruity taste.

Hungarian beer in the UK

Hungary has a significant history of commercial beer production, and you can buy Hungarian beer in the UK from several online retailers.

Best of Hungary

Best of Hungary offers free standard delivery on all orders over £60, with express delivery options available for a fee. They stock a range of Hungarian beers, including:

• Dreher Gold Beer 0.5l
• Soproni Classic Beer 0.5l
• Soproni Sour Cherry Ale 0.5l
• Gösser Radler Lemon Beer 0.5l

Beers of Europe

Beers of Europe offer free delivery on orders over £100. They claim to have the biggest selection of beers from Hungary, as well as the rest of the world.

Amazon

Amazon offers Hungarian beer with free delivery on eligible orders dispatched by Amazon.

Beer Bus Budapest

Although primarily a tour company, Beer Bus Budapest also sells Hungarian beer on its website.

Hungarian Beers to Try

Some popular Hungarian beers include:

• Dreher – a sweet and crisp pilsner-style lager, produced by an old Hungarian brewery
• Arany Ászok – a widely-produced, affordable, and slightly bitter pilsner lager
• Sorproni – a tasty and affordable IPA, as well as a German-style Dunkel called Soproni Fekete Demon
• Borsodi – a strong amber lager with a mild caramel taste
• Szalon – Hungary’s oldest brewery, dating back to 1848, produces a popular pale ale with a fresh, fruity taste

Hungarian beer in the US

Hungarian beer is available to buy in the US, although it may be hard to come by. One source suggests that Dreher beer, a popular Hungarian beer, is not available to purchase in the US. However, another source suggests that it can be purchased at Otto's Hungarian Import Store & Deli in Burbank, California. This store also stocks a range of other Hungarian beers, including Arany Ászok, Kőbányai, and Kanizsai Vilgos.

Another option for purchasing Hungarian beer in the US is through online retailers. Websites such as beerbusbudapest.com, bestofhungary.co.uk, and beersofeurope.co.uk offer a range of Hungarian beers that can be purchased online and shipped to the US. These websites offer a variety of brands, including Dreher, Soproni, and Borsodi, which are some of the most common beers found in Hungary.

It is also possible to find Hungarian beer in some restaurants and bars in the US that specialise in European or imported beers. These establishments may offer fresh draught beer, providing an authentic taste of Hungarian beer culture. Additionally, some European countries, such as the UK, have a wide selection of Hungarian beers available online, which could potentially be shipped to the US.

Hungarian beer in Hungary

Hungary has a significant history of commercial beer production, and the country has a healthy taste for good beer. The first commercial brewery in Hungary was established in Buda in 1845 by Peter Schmidt, and the centre of the country's brewing industry became the Kőbánya district of Budapest during the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, there are four large commercial brewers in Hungary, and they produce mainly light lagers (Hungarian: világos) and German-style dark beers (bocks, Hungarian: barna).

Some of the most common beers in Hungary include Dreher, which is an old Hungarian brewery that produces the sweet and crisp Dreher Classic, a pilsner-style lager, the Dreher Bak, a rich, full-bodied, dark double bock, and also a pale ale with a complex, fruity taste. Dreher Breweries were created by Anton Dreher, the creator of the Vienna lager style, in Budapest in 1862, and it came to dominate the Hungarian market before the Second World War.

Another popular beer is Arany Ászok, a widely-produced and affordable pilsner lager that can be found everywhere in Hungary. It is of a golden colour, slightly bitter, and quite weak at just 4.3% ABV.

Other Hungarian beers include Sorproni, which makes a tasty and affordable IPA, and Borsodi, a relatively recent beer company that has become more popular over the years. The Borsodi Bivaly is a strong amber lager – at 6.5% ABV – that has a mild caramel taste.

Szalon is Hungary’s oldest brewery, dating back to 1848, and is located in Pecs in the south-west of the country. The pale ale named Szalon Sor is a popular choice that has a fresh, fruity taste.

In recent years, a lively craft beer scene has evolved in Hungary, with numerous local microbreweries, festivals and bottleshops. Some of these include Fóti, Legenda, Monyó, Csupor or Mad Scientist.

Hungarian beer tours

Hungary has a thriving beer culture, with many breweries and beer brands to its name. So, it's no surprise that the country offers several beer tours for visitors. Here is a detailed overview of some of the top Hungarian beer tours:

BeerBus Budapest

This unique sightseeing tour offers visitors an hour-long ride through the iconic sights of Budapest, all while enjoying unlimited beer on board. The bus is equipped with a mobile rooftop, allowing passengers to enjoy the city views and sunny weather. BeerBus Budapest is a great way to discover the city and meet new people in a fun and memorable way. The bus departs daily from the bus stop across the road from the Basilika.

SÖR - The Ultimate Budapest Craft Beer Tour

This highly-rated tour takes visitors to some of the best craft beer pubs in Budapest. It offers an insight into the Hungarian craft beer scene and provides an opportunity to sample a variety of local brews. The tour also includes visits to unique ruin bars and street food joints, making it a well-rounded experience of Budapest's nightlife and culinary delights.

Hoppy Hours - A Budapest Craft Beer Tour

Similar to SÖR, Hoppy Hours also takes visitors on a journey through Budapest's craft beer scene. This private tour promises an exclusive experience, perfect for special occasions like stag or hen parties. It offers an in-depth exploration of the city's best craft beer pubs, with a focus on Hungarian beer culture and history.

Budapest Beer Tastings & Brewery Tours

Budapest offers a range of beer tastings and brewery tours that cater to different interests. From boat cruises with live music and unlimited beer to guided pub crawls through the city's ruin bars, there's something for everyone. Some tours even combine beer tasting with other activities like Segway tours, bike tours, or walking tours of historic Budapest.

So, whether you're looking for a fun way to discover the city, sample craft beers, or experience Budapest's nightlife, these Hungarian beer tours offer a variety of exciting options to choose from.

Frequently asked questions