We’re not suggesting for a second that the World Cup is powered by beer… but it might be. For example, Belgium is so dedicated to its football (and its beer) that for the duration of the World Cup the country’s best-selling beer has creatively been renamed to… “Belgium”.
While Belgians enjoy a few Belgiums to support the Red Devils, the rest of the world will be toasting their own teams with a beer of their own. From newly-created craft beers to ancient old beers that monks used to drink, here are each quarter-finals nations’ top selling beers the punters will no doubt be knocking back mid-cheer. All implications that the players themselves will be indulging are strictly for creative purposes only.
Belgium
Belgium's Marouane Fellaini clearly needs a Jupiler/Belgium, stat. Source: Sebnem Coskun / Anadolu Agency /Getty Images
Recognised as one of the leading beer nations in the world, it’s a sure-bet that the most popular beer in Belgium will be a decent brew. As mentioned above, you can’t actually buy Jupiler beer until the World Cup is over. In an OTT marketing stunt, AB InBev has rebranded Jupiler to “Belgium” for the duration of the Cup in order to support the Red Devils. “Belgium” beer is a slightly sour, mostly sweet pilsener with the strong, malty aroma expected from a Belgium-brewed beer.
ABV: 5.2%
Brewed by: AB InBev
Style: Pilsener
Brazil
Brazil gets a helping hand from a bottle of Skol during a stretchy training session. Source: NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images
Brazil is the world’s third largest beer market (only China and the USA are bigger). The tradition of brewing originated during German immigration in the early 19th century, so German-style beers are everywhere. Despite having origins in the UK, Canada, Belgium and Sweden, Skol is the beer most likely to be quaffed. It’s a very pale pilsner with light, crisp finish. Slides down real easy.
ABV: 4.7%
Brewed by: Ambev
Style: Pilsener
Croatia
Goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic bows before a bottle of Ozujsko during a Croatian training session. Source: Sergei Fadeichev Tass via Getty Images
This dry lager has been refreshing Croatians since 1893. It gets slammed in ratings by beer connoisseurs, which defies the fact that every second beer drunk in Croatia is an Ožujsko. Apparently 10 bottles of this grassy, medium-bitter beer go down every second in Croatia. Worth trying then?
ABV: 5.0%
Style: Pale lager
England
Harry Kane just can't wait to sink a cold one after beating Colombia. Source: Fred Lee / Getty Images
Truth be told, more Englanders drink Belgian brand Stella Artois than Carling, but in the spirit of trying to showcase local brews, let’s ignore the fact that a British brew doesn’t even make the top 5 best-sellers. Carling is, however, England’s top selling English beer. Good news is that boutique breweries like Camden Brewery, Hammerton Brewery and Lost Rivers Brewing Co are reviving the English beer scene, producing craft beers that are winning on the international stage.
ABV: 4%
Brewed by: Molson Coors UK
Style: Pale lager
France
Paul Pogba suddenly remembers he forgot to put the Kronenbourgs in the fridge. Source: Michael Regan / FIFA / Getty Images
This brew has got some serious history behind it. As the name suggests, Koronenbourg Brewery was founded in 1664 in Strasbourgh. The brewery may now be owned by Carlsberg, but Kronenbourg 1664 still uses the same Strisselspalt hops its been brewed from since 1885. The result is a crisp, sweet flavour with just a hint of bitterness.
ABV: 5.0%
Brewed by: Kronenbourg Brewery
Style: Pale lager
Russia
It's quite possible Russian fans have been enjoying a few too many Bajithkas during the Cup. No judgement here. Source: Fu Tian / China News Service / Getty Images
This delicate, golden drop is worth side-lining the vodka for. Baltika #3 Classic has won a silver medal at the Superior Taste Awards in Brussels and been awarded over 30 times at international and national beer contests. It’s got a punchy malt flavour with plenty of grain and just a hint of floral.
ABV: 4.8%
Brewed by: Baltic Beverages Holding - Carlsberg
Style: Lager
Sweden
The Swedes race each other to the pub following their win over Switzerland. Source: MB Media / Getty Images
Carnegie Porter is another brew that seemingly got the formula right early and hasn’t changed since 1836. It’s got a lower ABV than most of the beers on this list, which is helpful when drinking while distracted by the football. A dark, roasted malt beer with a sweet, caramel, slight coffee taste.
ABV: 3.5%
Style: Porter
Uruguay
The artisan beer culture has taken Uruguay by storm with craft beers like Volcanica, Cabesas Bier and Oso Pardo a hit with locals. The king of the micro-brewers is Davok. Their popular American IPA is a pale-amber beer with a fruity aroma and a soft, bitter flavour.
ABV: 5.0%
Style: Pale lager
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