What Are the Best Beers in Krakow?

Krakow, Poland is known for its vibrant nightlife, delicious food and drink, and iconic outdoor and indoor breweries. With so much available, it can be hard to figure out what beers are the absolute must-tries while visiting this historic city. We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the ten best beers in Krakow, along with some tips on where to find them.

1. Jan Olbracht Brewery Dark Lager

The Jan Olbracht Brewery is a Krakow favorite, and its dark lager is a signature of the brewery. It’s a classic dark lager—the flavor is smoky and malty, with a roasted finish. This beer is called ‘Black Pride’ (in Polish Czarna Duma), and can be found in many places around Krakow, as well as in some of the city’s excellent craft beer bars.

2. Warka Strong Lager

Warka is one of Poland’s most famous lagers, and for good reason—it’s strong, full-bodied, and absolutely delicious. This strong lager is brewed with water from the nearby Warka Hills, giving it its unique taste and aroma. It’s easy to find in any bar or supermarket in Krakow.

3. Zywiec

Zywiec is another classic Polish lager that is incredibly popular in Krakow. It’s quite a bit different from Warka; it’s slightly lighter and more balanced, but still full of flavor. This beer has been made since 1881, so it’s no surprise that it has plenty of fans in Krakow. You can usually find it anywhere that features Polish beers.

4. Karmi Krupnik

This one is something unique—a honey-flavored lager from the Karmi Brewery located outside of Krakow. It’s quite sweet, with a smooth finish and nice carbonation. If you’re looking for something sweeter than the average beer, this might be just what you’re searching for.

5. Van Pur Classic Brewery

Located in Nowe Brzesko, about 30 minutes south of Krakow, Van Pur is the best craft brewery in the area. They specialize in all sorts of styles, but their take on the classic lager is especially noteworthy. You can buy it in cans at many beer stores in Krakow, as well as at the brewery itself.

6. Amber Premium Beer

Amber Premium Beer has become increasingly popular in recent years, and is consistently rated as one of the best Polish beers you can buy. It has a full body, pleasing balance of hop bitterness, bready maltiness and subtle sweetness. You’ll find this beer fairly often on tap throughout Krakow; it’s definitely worth seeking out if you’re in the area!

7. Piwne Podziemie – Mellinium Ale

Piwne Podziemie makes some great craft beers in their own underground brewery—in fact, it’s the first such brewery in Krakow! The best of their selection is the Millennium Ale, a smooth and flavorful pale ale with a nice balance of malty sweetness and hoppy bitterness. It’s a great choice if you like more traditional ales with a modern twist.

8. Browar Grodzisk Browar Piekarniczy – Raj APA

This American Pale Ale from Browar Grodzisk Browar Piekarniczy is definitely worth seeking out if you’re in Krakow—it’s an incredibly flavorful beer with a great balance of hop bitterness and malty sweetness. And if you’re into craft beers in general, you’ll love the variety of styles this brewery has to offer!

9. Kazimierz – Tyskie

Tyskie is a great classic lager from Poland that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s full-bodied and flavorful, with a nice balance of bready maltiness and bright fruitiness that makes it easy to drink. You can find it on draught in many bars across Krakow—definitely give it a try if you’re looking for an authentic Polish beer experience!

10. Amber Brewery – Olbracht Ekspres

Another great beer from Amber Brewery is Olbracht Ekspres, which they describe as an English IPA with a modern twist. The hop bitterness is definitely prominent in this one, but it’s balanced nicely by bready malts and a pleasant citrusy finish. Look out for this one on tap around Krakow—it’s definitely worth seeking out!

Touring Krakow’s Best Breweries

If you want to experience the best of what Krakow’s brewing scene has to offer, we recommend taking a tour of some of its best breweries with Krakow Beers of tour. This 4 hour tour takes you to three or four local breweries, where you can sample delicious craft beers while taking in beautiful views of Krakow’s old town district. The knowledgeable guide will explain the history of each brewery and walk you through the tasting process so you can learn all about the different types of beers available in Krakow and experience first-hand why this city is becoming known as one of Europe’s best beer destinations. Let us assure you—this tour will not disappoint!

We hope that this guide has inspired you to hunt down some of Krakow’s best beers – and we look forward to hearing about your favorites! And don’t forget to book your Krakow Beers of tour today so you can discover the city’s breweries on your own!