Are you ready for Euro 2016? Got your fixture list? (Download one here), picked a team to follow? Well all you need now are the beers!
We spoke to our friends at Beers of Europe and visited Good Spirits Co to get some beers from each country for the games. So sit back, relax and open a beer!
Albania
Sadly it doesn’t look like you can buy any Albanian beer from the UK. If anyone knows otherwise please let us know!
Austria
We tried Stiegl Pils and liked it very much. The beer has a thirst-quenching ability. You can find it in Bavaria Bauhaus in Glasgow too.
Belgium
A strong “Triple” beer from Belgium, this hoppy and full of flavour beer will keep you happy (surely the 9% will!). If you fancy something lighter Lidl sell the regular Bornem in store.
Croatia
We’ve had quite a Croatian beers on our travels but unfortunately we’ve struggled to find one that’s available in Britain.
Czech Republic
Hobo Craft Lager £2.00 from Good Spirits Co in Glasgow. A light lager which is easy to drink.
Pilsners may be what the Czech Republic is famous for but they do also produce some good dark beers and one such, Pardubický porter can be ordered online here.
England
Another favourite of ours is Heart and Soul by Vocation Brewery in Hebden Bridge (Worth a visit down there)
France
Forget the Kronenberg and go for something a bit better – Pelforth Blonde is a popular one in Paris and you can order bottles here.
Germany
There’s no shortage of German beer available here but how about what could possibly be the next big thing, sour beer! This traditional gose comes from Leipzig in Saxony and we’ve actually visited the brewery. See here.
Hungary
A black IPA from Hungary? Order it here.
Iceland
Einstok is probably the most well-know and easily found Icelandic beer in the UK so it is readily available but if you can find it, over some here and we found it offline at Good Spirits in Glasgow.
Italy
Menabrea is slowly making its name known on these shores. If you haven’t tried their blonde beer yet keep an eye out for it in pubs and restaurants. Alternatively order here.
Birra Moretti La Rossa. Bet you didn’t think you’d find a dark Moretti beer. This amber ale has toffee, caramel and a roasted aroma. Find it here.
Northern Ireland
Boundary Stout has a roasted coffee taste and aroma and is low carbonated. Click here to buy.
Poland
Glasgow is full of Polish shops. Here’s one we found earlier…Another dark beer for us. This one has big carbonation and is smokey and sweet.
Portugal
The number one beer brand in Portugal, Super Bock has won umpteen awards. Order it here.
Republic of Ireland
Guinness Golden Ale is more of a bitter than a golden ale. Light tasting and some citrus in there as well. Can be found in most shops.
Franciscan Well – Rebel Red. Malty, plum like and full of flavour. You can buy online, or find in many bars as it’s owned by Molson Coors.
Romania
Ursus (meaning “bear”) lager is everywhere in Romania, the Romanian Tennent’s if you will, but when in Romania do as the Romanians do…order some here.
Russia
Baltic classic lager is everywhere but here’s a more unpronounceable one with a story. Click here to read about the history and order.
Slovakia
Sweet and slightly metallic pilsner, easily drinkable. Can be found here.
Spain
Estrella Galicia lager from Spain’s largest independent (and family-run) brewery in La Coruña, north-western Spain, is now available in ASDA, Morrisons, Tesco, Marks & Spencers and Waitrose. If you don’t have one nearby you can order online here, or if you’d like to win a case of Estrella Galicia look out for a competition coming in the next few days.
Sweden
Omnipollo Magic Pineapple Gose from Good Spirits Co £3.70 A pineapple/mango tasting sour beer. This one will wake you up during a boring game.
If you can’t find it then Pistonhead kustom lager is easier to come across, it’s available online as well as at ASDA, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsburys.
Switzerland
Found in Wholefoods Market for £2.29. A hard one to track down. Golden beer with grassy notes to the nose. Easy to drink, worth the struggle to find? Not really….
Turkey
This is a light tasting beer which is easy to drink, especially on a hot day. Available online and in ASDA, Tesco and B&M.
Ukraine
This is another holiday reminder. An easy drinking beer from Ukraine. Heavily influenced by German beers. You can buy Obolon online.
Wales
Snowdonia Ale from Purple Moose Brewery is one we like. We stumbled across them by accident on a visit to Portmadog in Wales a couple of years ago. This is a hoppy pale ale ideal for the summer.
Enjoy Euro 2016 and drink responsibly!
Many thanks to Beers of Europe for allowing us to pinch their images and to Good Spirits Co for stocking some fab beers. We received nothing but help and kindness from these guys so give them a visit!