Our Beer Sommelier has been earning her beery flier miles eating and drinking her way through some of Europe's great beer cities. Read Maggie Cubbler's (not-at-all exhaustive) list of ten of her favourite places to enjoy an unforgettable beer dinner.

Hands up: this is not a complete list. As much as I'm sure your local brewpub in the Midlands has a great kidney pie, I haven't (yet!) visited them all. This is, instead, a list of some of the most memorable places I've had both an amazing in-house beer and dinner at. Fresh beer, delicious food, great cities--here are the places I deem worthy for making the trip!

Weisses Brauhaus

Schneider Weisse

Munich

Loud, raucous and always flowing with beer: this could be any brauhaus in Germany but here we're talking about the Schneider Weisse Weisses Brauhaus. Just steps away from the Marienplatz, you're never going to have this place to yourself. Nevertheless, order a Tap 5 with the potato soup and a pretzel, welcome some locals to share your table (although, truth be told, they've probably got their own set aside somewhere so these are probably also tourists) and have a great time. If it gets too loud for you, order another beer or next time make travel arrangements to a Belgian monastery.

 

Zum Uerige

Uerige

Düsseldorf

I've recently visited Düsseldorf and was fascinated by the city's beer culture, partially because I didn't know there was much besides "we drink Altbier" before. I enjoyed a delightful lunch of Könisberger Klöpse with their in-house bier (or two). The original building was bombed by the allies during The War but some bits were saved and used in its restoration. Apparently this is one of the places to be in Düsseldorf during the high season so don't plan on making major business deals in here. Lunch is peaceful, however, and the more-bitter-than-the-others Uerige Altbier goes down really easy.

 

Klášterní Pivovar Strahov

Sv. Norbert

Prague

There are lots of great places in Prague to have amazing food next to the brewery tanks. I love Klášterní Pivovar Strahov because of its peaceful location within the Strahov Monastery complex. Enjoy one of the St. Norbert Amber Ales or IPAs (among other rotating styles but those two are my faves) with some traditional goulash on top of a hill with sweeping views of Prague down below. You'll probably see a tour bus or two stop in but there's plenty of room to cosy up to the locals who are also there.

De Halve Maan

Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik

Brugge, Belgium

With menu items including beer cheese, beer pâté and Brugse Zot beer terrine, I challenge you to find a more suitable place for a beer lunch in the whole of Belgium (ok, the Belgians do beer and food pretty well but go with it). De Halve Maan is a must-stop on your trip to Brugge and enjoying a fresh Straffe Hendrik while looking over the market square is a must-do.

 

De Jopenkerk

Jopen

Haarlem, The Netherlands

Restoring an old church in the center of the Dutch city of Haarlem, Jopen has brought back a glorious brewing tradition to the area. A contemporary interior and red mood lighting create an interesting juxtaposition alongside the beautiful stained glass windows. I enjoyed a beer and dessert pairing evening with sweet treats like a Black Pepper and Raspberry brownies alongside an Export Stout being the most memorable. Seasonal and locally-sourced is the emphasis of the chef and it's almost as, ahem, divine as their beer menu.

 

Brouwcafé De Molen

Brouwerij De Molen

Bodegraven, The Netherlands

Watch pristine white boats sleepily coast through the canal to which Brouwcafé De Molen rests amazingly close. A cosy atmosphere welcomes both families and groups of "beer enthusiasts" to enjoy a beautifully hoppy De Molen IPA with their creamy beer mustard soup. You haven't lived until you've had a beer and an uitsmijter under a windmill.

Omnipollos Hatt

Omnipollo

Stockholm

The showroom, if you will, for these eccentric Swedish brewers, Omnipollos Hatt has numerous taps alongside its beer-smoothie machine. It's a bit on the small side for all of the city's beer-lovers and beer-pilgrims but I visited with a party of seven plus a toddler for lunch and we had no problem getting seated and served a wood-fired pizza with a beer ice cream. It's a rotating pizza theme and we, unfortunately, got there on vegan day. Unless it's your thing, pick off the weird vegan cheese and enjoy the rest--or go on a different rotation.

 

Warpigs

Warpigs (Mikkeller & Three Floyds)

Copenhagen

I admit, I haven't personally visited Warpigs but one of my colleagues did and the strange gutteral noises he made while reminiscing about this famed brewpub's BBQ had me convinced that I better include them on this list. Warpigs is a venture between Mikkeller and Chicagoland's revered Three Floyds brewery and in its short history has become one of the world's must-visit brewpubs. Their website warns they run out of meat most evenings so don't put off your visit until too late.

 

Black Sheep Brewery Bistro

Black Sheep Brewery

Masham, UK

Overlooking the Yorkshire Dales (and rival brewery, Theakston's), I've always liked Black Sheep's clean, easy-drinking and traditional-style cask ales. The bistro does a fantastic traditional Sunday lunch and it's a great way to end one of the more interesting brewery tours I've been on (even if the guides hope you don't ask too many questions off-script). Bring a designated driver and take a cruise around the neighboring fields to see where the brewery gets their barley from. It's a quintessential experience.

 

Drygate Bar & Kitchen

Drygate

Glasgow

Pay no heed to the figurative and literal shadow of nearby Tennent's lager, Drygate Brewery--and its bar & kitchen--are a worthy way to spend part of your time in Glasgow. Child and dog friendly (we had both), the grounds could accommodate all the dead from the adjacent Necropolis. The truffled mac n' cheese, duck confit and the grazing board from the award-winning kitchen team are all complemented nicely by the large tap and bottle list of both in-house, international and collaboration beers. Make sure you save time to visit the bottle shop and pick up some impressive Scottish and international beers.

I know you've got your opinions on this list. Anything you'd add, something I should visit? Tell me!