Tour of European beer cities for your corporate events

This drink, a specialist in brewing emotions, will strengthen the bonds between your teams as they learn about its storied history and enjoy its many flavours. Discover our list of European cities of beer.

Dublin, The spiritual home of stout

If you walk into any of Dublin’s 700-plus pubs and ask for a pint, you will most likely be met with a knowing nod of approval; for no further words will be necessary. Exactly 119 seconds later, you will be served a creamy pint of Dublin’s most famous export, Guinness.

Dubliners take their pints of plain seriously. There are multiple social media accounts that rate the best pints in the city while ridiculing those that fall below our lofty standards. On any given night in the city, there are likely to be hundreds of heated discussions about the black stuff, from the best serving temperature to the cream-to-beer ratio, right down to how many mouthfuls are required to finish a serving correctly. The answer to the latter is seven!

But don’t let this level of pinty pretentiousness fool you. Guinness aside, most Irish people would baulk at the idea of their capital as a pretentious city. Survey after survey has found Dublin to be one of the safest and most welcoming destinations for tourists. And if you’re looking to endear yourself to the locals, then a pint of plain is your only man.

Our top pick of the best pubs in Dublin

The Long Hall

One of Dublin’s oldest drinking establishments with a beautifully maintained Victorian bar. Bruce Springsteen is known to visit here on occasion. If it’s good enough for The Boss, then it’s good enough for us!

Davey Byrne’s

Indulge your literary side in this famous Dublin landmark pub, featured in the most iconic of Dublin novels, Ulysses by James Joyce.

Mulligan’s

You won’t find any flatscreen TVs or flashy sound systems in this local favourite. But you will find plenty of 18th century charm and what some consider to be the best pint in the city.

When to come to Dublin for your corporate event

We recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons when the crowds are smaller, and the weather is more consistent. But bring that umbrella along just in case.

Finally, no trip to Dublin is complete without a visit to the famous Guinness Storehouse.

Munich, the most city beer of Bavaria

Beer is a real institution in Bavaria, and this is reflected in the annual festivals! Whether it’s the Spring Festival or Oktoberfest, there’s always a good opportunity to sample this popular beverage. Held from late September to October, the Oktoberfest is one of the most famous beer festivals in the world. For almost a month, the population of the Bavarian capital is multiplied by 4! During the second weekend of the Oktoberfest, it’s not unusual to hear only Italian spoken in the streets and underground stations. Traditionally, and thanks to the proximity of the two countries, a large number of Italians visit the city during these few days to enjoy the folk atmosphere.

On the other hand, beer isn’t the only thing on offer at beer festivals. All over the region you’ll find beer gardens. These are open-air breweries, either in the brewery’s garden or in a park. You won’t find 33cL beers here. The minimum is 50cL, and mugs and masses (1L) are always swirling around the tables, whatever the season.

The Bavarians’ love affair with this hoppy liquid is nothing new. In the early 16th century that a law was passed to protect beer production. Since then, Munich’s beers have been made exclusively from three ingredients: water, hops and malt.

These beers include:

• Helles Blonde, a light, bottom-fermented beer
• Pils, also bottom-fermented, but less sweet than Helles and more hoppy
• Dunkel, a thicker beer with a creamy head, which tends to be mild, if slightly bitter
• Festbier, with a stronger fermentation than the previous two, it is still sweet but has more alcohol (six degrees more than a Helles or Dunkel)
• Starkbier, a dark, strong beer, sweeter and more concentrated, with a pronounced hoppy flavour.

Our picks for the best beer gardens and breweries in Munich

Augustiner Cellar

The Augustiner is Munich’s oldest brewery. Founded by Augustinian monks in 1328, it is located in the heart of the city. It produces mainly Helles, a refreshing beer that is very popular in the region.

On entering, there are two different atmospheres, but still huge rooms. The first room takes us back to the time when the brewery was founded, when everyone gathered to drink beer on brown wooden benches. The second gives the impression of being in a cellar where the hoppy, malty mixture ferments, with stone and wood lining the walls and ceilings.

Paulaner

Again, the Paulaner brewery was run by monks. In fact, the monk is the brand’s emblem and can still be found on bottles and cans. Unlike Augustiner, Paulaner produces stronger beers, such as Starkbier. Every year in March, at the beginning of spring, it organises the Starkbierfest, a large festival dedicated to this type of beer.

Viktualienmarkt Biergarten

The Viktualienmarkt beer garden is a Munich institution. Located right in the city centre, this oldest beer garden attracts crowds not only for its location, but also for the atmosphere it exudes; experience the breweries, the waiters and waitresses are dressed in traditional costume (dirndl and lederhosen), and a good majority of the patrons (mostly locals) are proud to wear them as well. The best thing about this beer garden is that it’s right in the middle of the Viktualienmark market, which offers quality produce. After a gourmet break at one of these tables, we recommend exploring this traditional market.

Chinesischer Turm Biergarten

At the centre of Europe’s largest city park, the Englischer Garten, is the Chinese Tower. This oriental-style tower is surrounded by the English Garden and trees that provide much-needed shade during the hot summer afternoons and evenings in the Bavarian capital.

Here, in addition to the traditional costumes, a group of musicians play traditional tunes familiar to all locals.

When should you go to Munich for your corporate event?

If you’re looking for a season to go to Munich for your corporate events, you won’t be disappointed: two out of four will be favoured, although the city is beautiful in all seasons.

From April to June, you can enjoy the first warmth of the sun and discover the Spring Festival. Then, in autumn, from September to October, come (back) to Oktoberfest and discover all the madness that this great festival has to offer.

What else can you do in Munich?

As well as the seasonal festivities, the city is packed with museums, whether automotive or technological. On the other hand, if you don’t just want to drink beer, but also want to learn more about its history, check out the exhibition at the Stadtmuseum.

If you’re looking for something else to do in the city, many of the breweries in the city centre offer tours and tastings.

Bruges, the capital of Belgian beer

Not far from Germany, further north in Europe, lies Belgium and its city of Bruges. This city of Belgian beer is full of breweries offering not only draught beer (the Brugse Zot, typical of the city) but also food. Many breweries, large and small, prepare traditional dishes with beer, much to the delight of locals and tourists alike.

Incidentally, to understand just how important this is in the country, Belgium’s beer culture has been part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2016.

Our choice of the best breweries in Bruges

Cambrinus

Situated in the city centre, the Cambrinus Brasserie is perfect for a gourmet break surrounded by the city’s historic monuments. Choose from more than 400 different beers to accompany one of their signature dishes, or to enjoy on their own for an epicurean tasting. If you’re not an expert, their waiters and waitresses will be happy to advise you.

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan

If you’re looking for a traditional, family-run brewery where even the name is Dutch, Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan (literally, Half Moon Brewery) is a must-do! But be warned; this is not just a brewery. You can also take a guided tour to find out how their beers are made and visit a museum that displays old brewing techniques.

What are the other activities in Bruges?

As in any city beer, you and your teams can visit the city’s dedicated museum, right in the historic centre. Once that’s done, make the most of the time you have left to wander the narrow streets or book a guided tour. Not to be missed are the Belfry of Bruges, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Sint-Salvatorskathedraal cathedral, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk church and the famous Bonifaciusbrug bridge.

Prague, a city beer with national pride in the Czechia

With more than 110 breweries (both industrial and family-run), Prague is one of the largest beer-producing cities: in 2021, more than 20 million hectolitres were produced in the city, mainly for domestic consumption (only 1/4 was exported). Beer and beer production have been the pride of the locals since the 19th century, and it is even said that “no meal is complete without beer”.

Our selection of breweries and pubs in Prague

Loď Pivovar

Lod’ Pivovar is an innovative and trendy concept: it’s a brewery on a three-deck boat, where even the brewing takes place on the water. This offers an extraordinary experience for customers who come as experts or to discover the local drink. You’ll find traditional beers such as Pilsner, but also some from other countries, brewed on site, Pale Ale, American APL Beer, Irish Stouts and many others.

Jihoměstský pivovar

The reputation of Jihoměstský pivovar (South City Brewery) is growing thanks to the opinions of its customers. Considered the best brewery in the city, it offers top-quality beers and ciders, as well as well-prepared dishes and a warm atmosphere. This traditionally decorated tavern also has a brewing vat in its main room.

Pivovar U Tří růží

If you and your teams want to take a trip back to the 15th century, the Brasserie des Trois Roses (Pivovar U Tří růží) must be on your to-do list. The strength of this tavern lies in the in-house production of six exclusive beers and the preparation of traditional menus with the world-famous local dish: goulash.