The Global Ale Trail: Discover Top Craft Beer Destinations Worldwide
Pale lagers like Foster's, Carling, Coors, and Budweiser dominate over 90% of global beer consumption. Yet, vibrant alternatives thrive beyond these giants.
The UK and Belgium have championed ale for decades, while the USA's craft beer revolution boasts over 2,000 innovative breweries. This movement is expanding globally, offering beer enthusiasts exceptional experiences everywhere.
Australia
James Boag's premium label by James Cridland. Creative Commons Attribution licence.
Despite dominance by two major breweries, Australia's craft scene is surging. Microbreweries hold 2% market share but are growing amid declining overall beer sales. Thriving hubs in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney lead the way, but wine regions like Margaret River and Yarra Valley excel for ale aficionados. Savor hoppy American-style IPAs, refreshing Belgian witbiers for summer, and experimental brews with juniper, coffee, or hot rocks.
Margaret River: Cheeky Monkey Brewery (www.cheekymonkeybrewery.com.au) – Features Travelling Monk Red Ale, Hatseller Kiwi Pilsner, Old Reliable Pale Ale, Hagenbeck Belgian IPA. Also: apple cider, pear cider; food available.
Yarra Valley: Coldstream Brewery (www.coldstream-brewery.com) – Includes Coldstream Czech Pilsner, Original Ale, Grand Porter, Crisp Pale Ale. Also: apple cider; food available.
New Zealand
Kiwis drink less beer but opt for premium craft options. Sales are rising, with breweries doubling since 2007. Local hops and barley attract global brewers. Prime tasting: Nelson Tasman region on South Island's northern tip, New Zealand's hop heartland with a burgeoning brew route. Breweries dot Christchurch; Wellington boasts top bars.
Nelson: Sprig and Fern (www.sprigandfern.co.nz) – Extensive range: Ginger Lager, Kiwi Pale Ale, IPA, Scotch Ale, Doppelbock. Also: ciders, alcoholic lemonade, non-alcoholic ginger beer, limited editions.
Christchurch: The Twisted Hop (www.thetwistedhop.co.nz) – Golding Bitter, Challenger Bitter, Twisted Ankle Dark Ale, Hopback IPA. Limited editions available.
Wellington: The Tap Haus (www.thetaphaus.co.nz) – Over 45 local/international drafts; food served.
Japan
Dogo beer by Kanatam. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike licence.
From one microbrewery in 1994, Japan now has over 200, fueled by laws and demand. Brewpubs prevail in central Honshū, near Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Subtle beers pair with cuisine; innovations include sweet potatoes, yuzu, red rice, or shōchū cask aging.
Ibaraki (near Tokyo): Kiuchi Brewery (www.kodawari.cc) – Hitachino White Ale, Pale Ale, Weizen, Stout, Red Rice Ale, Extra High Belgian Brown Ale. Also: sake, shōchū.
Tokyo: Baird Brewing Company (www.bairdbeer.com) – Wheat King Ale, Numazu Lager, Rising Sun Pale Ale, Suruga Bay Imperial IPA. Seasonal: Dark Sky Imperial Stout.
Osaka: Minoh Beer (www.minoh-beer.jp – Japanese only) – Pilsner, Yuzu White Ale, Peach Sour Ale, Imperial Stout.
South Korea
Japan's neighbor is emerging. Seoul's Gangnam brewpubs offer German styles, but expat influence brings hoppy ales to Itaewon. Breweries in Busan, Suwon, Jeju too.
Gangnam: Oktoberfest (www.oktoberfest.co.kr – Korean only) – Weissbier, Pilsner, Dunkel, Radler. Korean-twist German food.
Seoul (Itaewon): Craftworks Taphouse and Bistro (www.craftworkstaphouse.com) – Baekdusan Hefeweizen, Seorak Oatmeal Stout, Jirisan 'Moon Bear' IPA. Western food, merchandise.
South Africa
From lagers to craft: First microbrewery 1983; now ~50, half in Western Cape. Lagers/ales dominate; bold stouts, hopped ales with buchu, naartjie. Routes near Johannesburg, Durban.
Cape Town (Western Cape): Devil's Peak Brewing Company (www.devilspeakbrewing.co.za) – First Light Golden Ale, Silvertree Saison, Woodhead Amber Ale, King's Blockhouse IPA.
Rustenburg (near Johannesburg): Brauhaus am Damm (www.brauhaus.co.za) – Pils, Farmers Draught, Dunkel; seasonals. German cuisine.
Alverstone (near Durban): The Standeaven Brewery (www.thestandeavenbrewery.co.za) – Bohemian Pilsner, Press Club Stout, African Pale Ale, Hefeweizen.
Italy
Amiata Bastarda Doppia by Bernt Rostad. Creative Commons Attribution licence.
Italy blends wine and beer masterfully. Over 400 northern craft breweries innovate with wild yeast, millet, chestnuts. Grape-beer hybrids age in barrels. Taste at breweries or Rome bars.
Borgorose (Northern Italy): Birra del Borgo (www.birradelborgo.it) – Reale APA, Duchessa Saison, Keto Reporter Tobacco Porter, beer-wine experiments.
Rome: Open Baladin Roma (www.openbaladinroma.it – Italian only) – 100+ bottles, 40+ drafts nationwide.
Pair craft beer with global cuisine from Lonely Planet's Food Lover's Guide to the World.
Book stays via our Australia, Japan, and Italy hotels/hostels selection.
