Hungarian Beer – Taste The Best Beer in Hungary 

Let’s taste the most popular Hungarian beer such as Arany Ászok, Soproni, Dreher, Borsodi and Pécsi Szalon. Visit the famous brewery and local beer points.

The history of Hungarian beer has started in the mid-1800s.

The first profit-making brewery in Hungary was founded in Buda in 1845 by Peter Schmidt. In the middle of the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Kőbánya region of Budapest developed into the center of Hungary’s brewing corporation. The Dreher brewery is named after Anton Dreher, the inventor of the Vienna lager style. He built the brewery in Budapest in 1862 and it came to influence the Hungarian market in the past the Second World War. 

Recently, Hungary has four large commercial brewers which offer mainly light Hungarian lager (világos) and German-style dark beers (bocks, barna). In Hungary, people as a matter of course do not clink their glasses or mugs when drinking beer. It is also interesting that it is an urban myth in Hungarian lifestyle that Austrian leaders clinked their beer pilseners to celebrate the execution of the 13 Martyrs of Arad in 1849. Many people still adopt the habit, although younger people often reject it, mentioning that the vow was simply said to last 150 years. 

Most popular beers in Hungary!

The history of Hungarian beer is very rich. But only a few people know that good Hungarian beer also has a beneficial effect on health, despite the fact that many believe that Hungary is an ancient wine-drinking nation, even though our ancestors may have known beer before wine. The old Hungarian freedom granted all landowners to brew beer, who also exercised this right but brewed beer in monasteries and guilds, and finally, industrial brewing began in the middle of the 19th century. The good Hungarian beer is basically produced of four main ingredients, with malt, hops, yeast and water. These types determine the taste, color, and strength of the finished beer. 

Discover the Best Beer in Hungary

Dreher is wellknown Hungarian beer. Dreher Bak is a full-bodied dark beer with a taste of malt and caramel. Arany Ászok, is another type from Dreher, follows a lighter pilsner category, and it has a different bitter taste.

Let’s Taste The Incredible Hungarian Beer Brands!

Arany Ászok – the best of Budapest beer

Founded in 1924, the Arany Ászok brand was produced until its nationalization, (1948), and then began to be remanufactured in 1989, more than 40 years later. Arany Ászok is one of the lighter, full-bodied beers, characterized by a clean, barely perceptible aroma. Its slightly bitter, a little malt-flavored, hardly aromatic, medium taste is paired with a silky softness. It has good creaming ability and foam stability, rich in carbon dioxide, alcohol content 4.3% V / V. This beer is directly available in a non-alcoholic, semi-brown, lemon and blood orange variant. 

Borsodi

The truly popular Borsodi beer, which is known as Borsodi Világos, appeared in 1973, it built up its current image in the mid-90s, when its name was reduced. Pils-type light beers have an average alcohol content (4.5%), a pleasantly bitter taste due to the sparkling golden yellow color. A non-alcoholic version is also possible from Borsodi, as well as the Buffalo (Borsodi Bivaly) with higher alcohol content, likewise a variety of fruity, wheat and “short” savor packets.

Dreher

The beloved drink of the older generation, Dreher Classic, has a higher alcohol content than the beers listed above, 5.2% V / V. The recipe was created and developed to perfection by Antal Dreher, and Dreher beer was begun to be made in the late ’80s, following his instructions. Its characteristic bitter taste is derived from the use of the two types of hops, and its moderate body pleasantly harmonizes, complemented by a slight aroma of hops. Its color is golden yellow, sufficiently carbonated and foamy. Three types of Dreher are currently reachable, in addition to the already introduced Classic, the citrus Dreher Summer Moments and the characteristic Dreher Bak.

Soproni

Sopron is one of the original beers in Hungary with a long history. Light beers available in Hungary have a standard alcohol content of 4.5%. It used to be entitled the Soproni Ászok, but a new recipe was developed a few years ago, at that time its name was also changed. The taste is slightly bitter and quite carbonated, the color is clear and bright, sufficiently foamy. In addition to the Sopron Classic, quite a few other drinks are made, such as Soproni 1895, which is a high-alcohol light beer, there is brown beer, which known as the Soproni Démon (Soproni Fekete), but lovers of beers and those who want non-alcoholic pleasures will also find the right brands for them.

The brands of Pécs (Pécsi Szalon and other awesome Hungarian local beers)

Pécs Brewery is the oldest brewing company in Hungary, established in 1848. The company is located in Pécs, the capital of Baranya county in southwestern Hungary. 

Szalon Sör is regarded to be the forerunner of Pécs. It is a pale ale with an alcohol content of 4.6%. If you are looking for some Mediterranean feelings, Szalon Sör can be a good opportunity.  Next to this beer, you can taste Spring Beer, Three Kings and Szalon Barna drinks too.

Explore the extraordinary Dreher Brewery and tank up Hungarian local beer!

You can taste local beer at most pubs and beer craft in Hungary, but it is a good choice to take a tour of the brewery yourself to learn about Hungarian brewing history. The Dreher Brewery can be found in Kőbánya, about a half an hour tram travel from Blaha Lujza tér. Here is a little beer museum, and you can sign up for a brewery tour (booking prior is usually necessary). The company itself was built between 1910 and 1920 in an eclectic style. Furthermore, you can also realize here an approximately 30-kilometer-long cellar system. The building was established art nouveau Zsolnay tiles, fancy plaster molding, and big copper-topped tanks, which declares to be one of Europe’s most elegant breweries. 

It is easy to enjoy Hungarian beers in Budapest 

The best journey to ride a „beer’s-eye view” of Budapest, by all means, with the trip that takes an exclusive spotlight on the gold-colored local beer. You can solve this with the Beer Bus Budapest, which takes a scenic tour of the city, and inspires visitors with a variety of Hungarian beer simultaneously. If you have enough time to discover the wonderful city, it is suggested booking in advance Budapest’s finest beer tour. 

Jónás Craft Beer House which can be found in the heart of the Bálna (Whale) Shopping Center on the waterfront also arranges a brewery tour of his own. Not to mention that here you can taste the beer in Hungary too.

The Simple (Kazinczy Street) in the Jewish Quarter is also a good alternative for a social life raised with a delicious beer. In the city center (Wesselényi street) you can go to the Beer Point Budapest for a pleasant drink.

As you have seen above, the Hungarian beer culture is really interesting and rich. If you are visiting Hungary and love good beer, you should try as much of this delicious drink as possible.

Hungarian beers are extremely tasty, each one unique in its own way, and whether it’s Soproni brewery, Borsodi brewery or the Pécsi brewery, the quality of the end result is guaranteed.

Q & A

What is the most popular beer in Hungary?

Dreher

Where can I taste directly the great local beer?

Beer Bus Budapest and Dreher Brewery

What are the best beer-pubs in Budapest?

Szimpla, Jónás craft beer house, Beer Point Budapest

Does Budapest have good beer?

Yes, in Budapest are many craft beer