Hungarian beer
Encyclopedia
Beer in Hungary has been brewed for well over a thousand years, but in the modern age, most beer is mass-produced. Beer has been made there for around a thousand years and the country has a significant history of commercial beer production.
in 1845 by Peter Schmidt. During the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
, the Kőbánya
district of Budapest became the centre of Hungary's brewing industry. The Dreher brewery is named after Anton Dreher
, the creator of the Vienna lager style. He created the brewery in Budapest in 1862 and it came to dominate the Hungarian market before the Second World War.
).
Lately, some microbreweries have also set up in Hungary, such as Ilzer and Blonder, though Ilzer is now closed.
has about 90% of sales.
History
The first commercial brewery in Hungary was established in BudaBuda
For detailed information see: History of Buda CastleBuda is the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest on the west bank of the Danube. The name Buda takes its name from the name of Bleda the Hun ruler, whose name is also Buda in Hungarian.Buda comprises about one-third of Budapest's...
in 1845 by Peter Schmidt. During the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
, the Kőbánya
Kobánya
Kőbánya is the 10th district of Budapest and one of the largest by territory. It is located in southeast Pest, easily accessible from the downtown by Metro 3, whose terminus is named Kőbánya-Kispest....
district of Budapest became the centre of Hungary's brewing industry. The Dreher brewery is named after Anton Dreher
Anton Dreher
Anton Dreher was an Austrian brewer who was an important figure in the development of pale lager....
, the creator of the Vienna lager style. He created the brewery in Budapest in 1862 and it came to dominate the Hungarian market before the Second World War.
Breweries
Today, Hungary has four large commercial brewers which produce mainly light lagers and German-style dark beers ' onMouseout='HidePop("12863")' href="/topics/Bock">BockBock
Bock is a strong lager of German origin. Several substyles exist, including maibock or helles bock, a paler, more hopped version generally made for consumption at spring festivals; doppelbock, a stronger and maltier version; and eisbock, a much stronger version made by partially freezing the beer...
).
- The Dreher (Kőbánya) Brewery (Dreher Sörgyárak) in BudapestBudapestBudapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
is now owned by SABMillerSABMillerSABMiller plc is a global brewing and bottling company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's second-largest brewing company measured by revenues and is also a major bottler of Coca-Cola. Its brands include Grolsch, Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell...
. Its main products are the Dreher Classic, Arany Ászok and Kőbányai Világos pilsener-style lagers but it also brews Dreher Bak (a double bockBockBock is a strong lager of German origin. Several substyles exist, including maibock or helles bock, a paler, more hopped version generally made for consumption at spring festivals; doppelbock, a stronger and maltier version; and eisbock, a much stronger version made by partially freezing the beer...
). Kanizsa Brewery also belonged to the group. Until its closure, it produced beer under the Kanizsai Világos, Kanizsai Kinizsi, Balatoni Világos and Paracelsus brands. - The Borsod BreweryBorsod BreweryBorsod Brewery or Brewery of Borsod is a brewery located in the village of Bőcs, near Miskolc, the capital of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county in northeastern Hungary.-History:...
(Borsodi Sörgyár) is 60% owned by InBevInBevInBev is a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev. The company existed independently for several years - since the merger between Interbrew and AmBev and until the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch. InBev has operations in over 30 countries and sales in over 130 countries...
. In addition to local brands Borsodi Világos, Borsodi Bivaly, Borsodi Póló and Borostyán ("Amber"), it brews (under license) Beck's, Löwenbräu, Stella Artois and Rolling Rock. - Heineken HungáriaHeineken HungáriaThe Heineken Hungaria Breweries Plc., as a Hungarian subsidiary of the international Heineken Group, is a key player of the Hungarian market with its internationally recognised brands, relying on 113 years of experience in brewing...
(formerly Brau Union Hungária Breweries) has breweries in SopronSopronIn 1910 Sopron had 33,932 inhabitants . Religions: 64.1% Roman Catholic, 27.8% Lutheran, 6.6% Jewish, 1.2% Calvinist, 0.3% other. In 2001 the city had 56,125 inhabitants...
and Martfű. Its brands include Soproni, Talléros, Arany Hordó , Soproni Kinizsi, Sárkány Sör . Under licence they also brew HeinekenHeinekenHeineken is a Dutch beer which has been brewed by Heineken International since 1873. It is available in a 4.6% alcohol variety in countries such as Ireland. It is the flagship product of the Heineken company and is made of purified water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. In 1886 H...
, AmstelAmstelThe Amstel is a river in the Netherlands which runs through the city of Amsterdam. The river's name is derived from Aeme stelle, old Dutch for "area abounding with water"....
, GösserGösserGösser beer is the main brand of the Göss brewery in the Styrian city of Leoben, one of the largest and most-well known Austrian beer breweries.Style: Lager, Lager, Dunkel / DarkAlcohol: 5.2% ABVBrewery: Gosser BreweryCountry/Region: Austria...
, Kaiser, Steffl, Zlaty BažantZlatý BažantZlatý Bažant is a Slovak beer brand. It was founded in 1969 and is produced at the brewery in Hurbanovo. It was purchased by the Heineken International group in 1995.It is distributed in the United States under the name Golden Pheasant....
, Schlossgold and Buckler. - The Pécs BreweryPécs BreweryPécs Brewery or Brewery of Pécs is a brewery located in Pécs, the capital of Baranya county in southwestern Hungary.- History :...
is majority-owned by the Ottakringer Group. Its brands are Pécsi Szalon, Szalon Barna, Tavaszi Sör (Spring Beer), Három Király (Three Kings) and, under licence, Gold Fassl.
Lately, some microbreweries have also set up in Hungary, such as Ilzer and Blonder, though Ilzer is now closed.
Economy
In the 1980s beer consumption was roughly 100 litres per person, but since then it has declined to nearer seventy.Pale lagerPale lager
Pale lager is a very pale to golden-coloured beer with a well attenuated body and a varying degree of noble hop bitterness. The brewing process for this beer developed in the mid 19th century when Gabriel Sedlmayr took pale ale brewing techniques back to the Spaten Brewery in Germany and applied it...
has about 90% of sales.