If you visit Hanoi, you should definitely try Hanoi fresh beer. (Photo: VietnamPlus)Hanoi (VNA) - Hanoi, home to one of the first breweries in Vietnam under French colonial rule in the late 19th century, was one of the top five beer destinations in the country endorsed by global travelers of US-based travel agency Booking.com.
The capital city, famous for its iconic lager (bia hoi), is said to be a must-visit beer paradise.
It is followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Da Nang.
The first brewery in Hanoi opened in the 1890s. After the Hanoi brewing factory was set up, beer culture caught on quickly. Bia hoi, roughly translated as fresh beer, is locally-brewed and made fresh every day, containing only 3 percent alcohol.
According to Booking.com, the intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets in Hanoi's Old Quarter, dubbed a 'beer hub", is a famous address to enjoy ice-cold glasses of bia hoi on plastic chairs, which has become part of Hanoi culture.
The area is home to dozens of bars, restaurants and street beer stalls, which were often fully packed up until 1-2 a.m. before the pandemic broke out in Vietnam.
A glass of bia hoi, of about 300 milliliters, costs between 7,000-10,000 VND (0.30-0.43 USD), while a bottle or a can of beer can cost anywhere between 25,000-200,000 VND.
International Beer Day is celebrated every year on the first Friday of August (August 6th this year) as a time to come together with friends and enjoy the craftsmanship that goes into one of the world’s favourite alcoholic beverages, Booking.com reported.
From ancient beer cellars in the Czech Republic to Bavarian beer halls in Germany, this brew is celebrated all over the European continent.
Prague in the Czech Republic, Munich of Germany, Brussels of Belgium, Dublin of Ireland, and Amsterdam of the Netherlands are five of the most beer-smitten European cities endorsed by global travelers on Booking.com, and are the destinations to celebrate International Beer Day.
Prague, Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has been brewing beer since the 10th century and is the country with the highest per capita beer consumption in the world. Prague - the largest and capital city of the Czech Republic - sits on the Vltava River and is renowned for being a beer lover’s paradise.
Rumor has it that the best beer in Prague is poured at Zlý časy, but you’ll be spoiled for choice with thousands of places to enjoy a beer from big names to small breweries, many of who have been making beer for generations.
The U Medvidku-Brewery Hotel boasts a famous micro-craft brewery. (Photo: Contributor/VietnamPlus)The grand U Medvidku-Brewery Hotel boasts a famous micro-brewery, with tours available upon request, along with a pub serving home-made beer and Czech cuisine, an impressive beer hall and beer garden.
You’ll even be welcomed with a complimentary home-made beer at check-in! The hotel is in a prime location - only a short stroll away from the Czech National Theatre, the Vltava river and local shops, Booking.com said
Munich, Germany
Brewing beer is an ingrained part of the German culture and Munich is a dynamic city brimming with Bavarian beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus founded in 1589. In recent years, craft beer manufactures have been popping up, offering a bit of competition to the traditional breweries and reflecting local and visitor demands, including organic breweries.
If you are looking for perfect holidays with a stylish bar and peaceful outside courtyard to sip on a foamy beer while relaxing, the Bavaria Boutique Hotel is a good suggestion.
The Bavaria Boutique Hotel is conveniently located near the Oktoberfest site, the world's largest beer festival, as well as the Augustiner-Bräu Brewery, Munich's oldest independent brewery.
Brussels, Belgium
Belgium has a long history of brewing beer that dates back to the 12th century and with a range of unique methods, including Trappist beers (beers brewed in Trappist monasteries). Brussels is a capital with a booming beer culture and known for its range of beers, primarily ales (as opposed to lagers) with an emphasis on malt and fruity yeast flavours.
A craft brewery in the Hotel Brouwerij Het Anker in Brussels. (Photo: Contributor/VietnamPlus)You can experience the best of Brussels beer by joining one of the many award-winning tours to learn more about the golden liquid of Belgium on a beer tasting tour.
The unique Hotel Brouwerij Het Anker is a must for beer lovers. Situated in a 15th-century brewery and a short walk from the enchanting Grote Markt, it also features an authentic brasserie and terrace.
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is a beer lover’s dream, with plenty of craft breweries - most notably the iconic Guinness Storehouse - and traditional Irish pubs to visit. Beer in Ireland traces back to roughly 5,000 years ago, with beer-making commercialised in the 18th century. Some of the Irish beers to tickle your tastebuds are Scraggy Bay, Mescan Brewery Beer and O'Hara's Irish Wheat.
The Fleet is very near to Dublin Castle and Olympia Theater. (Photo: Contributor/VietnamPlus)The Fleet is an avant-garde hotel nestled among the lively Temple Bar district. Guests can enjoy a beer at the hotel’s Café Bar 1920, on Grafton Street or explore the nearby tourist attractions, such as Dublin Castle and Olympia Theatre.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The animated city of Amsterdam is not only celebrated for its artistic heritage and intricate canal system. With a thriving craft beer scene, Amsterdam offers plenty of fantastic beer-related activities, such as tours of a former Heineken brewery and even a brewery in a Windmill! It is filled with cozy canal-side bars, ideal for cracking open a beer while watching the sunset.
Situated on a former naval site in the heart of Amsterdam, Pension Homeland offers an on-site brewery and restaurant with spectacular views over the IJ-river./.
