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Beer in Switzerland

This may be somewhat of a odd question for this forum, but I wanted to get peoples' opinion on beers in Switzerland. I tend to like more hoppy beers like IPAs, but I can do dark beers as well. Let me know what you think.

Posted by
2527 posts

Beers and opinions of beers...

My recollection from several trips to Switzerland is the beer is good (no doubt the best in the world if you talk with a Swiss person) and expensive. I'm not into hoppy beers, so happily never consumed such there.

"When I was a kid, I used to think about bears all day. Now that I am an adult, I realize that was just a typo."

Vince Bullhonkey, Black Star drinker

Posted by
1054 posts

I've only had one and that was Rigi Beer. Wish I could buy it here in the states. We had it a few places around Mt Rigi off lake lucerene.

Posted by
8889 posts

Not as much range in Switzerland as the beers in Germany. Basically all clear lager type beers.
In a supermarket about CHF 1.20 per ½ litre can for the brand names, some up to 2.40, and cheap cans at 60 Rappen.
In a restaurant, expect to pay about 4.50 up for a glass, which is usually ⅓ litre. If you ask for a "Grosse" (large) you get ½ litre.
If you want a "Dunkel" (dark beer), go to Germany.

Posted by
271 posts

I am sorry to say, most of the Swiss I have met do not like Swiss beer (or sausage) as much as the German versions. The sausage is Weisswurst, not Bratwrust. Think calves/veal. And the beer is lighter, too.

I am gluten free so this does not come up THAT often. ie I do not actually look for beer as it contains gluten. ;)

They seem to love their wines and I love their wines and distilled specialties :)

Posted by
12040 posts

The only domestic Swiss beer I've seen, both in restaurants and in stores, tends to be the typical pale lager stuff. I don't ever recall being disappointed with any that I've tried, but neither did anything strike me as particularly memorable. Even in Germany, hop-heavy beers are pretty rare.