Looking for the best Swiss beer? When I first arrived in Switzerland almost 25 years ago, the microbrewery scene had yet to flourish. Sure, there were a few contenders, but finding great Swiss beer beyond the usual suspects wasn’t easy.
Oh, have things changed!
Over the last two decades, microbrewers have popped up everywhere in Switzerland — there are now over 1,200 registered breweries across the country. But the real change is at the local supermarkets, which now stock small local breweries right alongside their more established counterparts.
Whether you’re visiting Switzerland or you’ve just moved here, this guide covers both the big Swiss beer brands you’ll see everywhere and the smaller craft breweries worth seeking out.
Popular Swiss Beer Brands You’ll See Everywhere
Before we get into the craft beer picks, let’s talk about the Swiss beers you’ll actually encounter first — in restaurants, at the Badi, and on every supermarket shelf. These are the ones worth knowing about.
Feldschlösschen
Switzerland’s most widely sold beer, brewed in Rheinfelden in Kanton Aargau. It’s the default tap beer in a huge number of restaurants across German-speaking Switzerland. Reliable, nothing fancy, it’s Switzerland’s answer to a solid, everyday lager.
Quöllfrisch (Appenzeller Bier)
If there’s one Swiss beer that locals genuinely enjoy, it’s Quöllfrisch. Brewed by Brauerei Locher in Appenzell, it’s crisp, refreshing and — unlike Feldschlösschen — people actually get enthusiastic about it. You’ll find it throughout eastern and central Switzerland. Their brewery in Appenzell also does tours, which are well worth a visit.
Eichhof
Lucerne’s hometown beer. If you’re spending time in central Switzerland — say, exploring Lucerne — chances are you’ll be offered an Eichhof. It’s a perfectly decent everyday lager with genuine local pride behind it.
Calanda
The beer of Graubünden, brewed in Chur since 1902. As you head into south-eastern eastern Switzerland, you’ll start seeing Calanda on tap everywhere. It’s another solid, no-frills lager.
Schützengarten
Switzerland’s oldest brewery, operating in St. Gallen since 1779. Their Edelspez is a step up from the standard lager — a bit more character, a bit more flavour. A good choice if you’re visiting eastern Switzerland.
Luzerner Bier
A newer player from Lucerne that’s been gaining a loyal following. If you’re spending time in the Lucerne region, keep an eye out for their brews at local restaurants.
Baarer Bier
One for the Zug locals — Baarer Bier is brewed just down the road from Cham (where my other recommendation, Chomer Bier, also comes from). It’s a solid, unassuming regional beer with a loyal following in central Switzerland.
What Types of Swiss Beer Will You Find?
If you’re coming from a country with a strong craft beer culture — like Australia, the US or the UK — you might be wondering what styles to expect in Switzerland.
Lager dominates. Around 70% of the beer consumed in Switzerland is lager, and that’s what you’ll mostly find on tap at restaurants. It’s clean, light and perfectly suited to a hot summer afternoon by the lake.
Wheat beer (Weizenbier) is the second most common style, especially in German-speaking Switzerland. If you like a slightly fruity, easy-drinking beer, look for a Weizen on the menu.
IPAs and pale ales have exploded in the last decade thanks to the craft beer movement (more on that below). You’ll find them mostly at specialty bars, beer shops and — increasingly — at Coop and Migros.
Seasonal and experimental brews are where Swiss craft brewers really shine. Christmas beers, summer ales, beers brewed with local herbs or fruit — the creativity in the Swiss craft scene is impressive. If you’re here in summer, you’ll find plenty of lighter seasonal options.
How to Find Great Swiss Beer
- Always check the local stores first – Whenever we visit a new area, one of our first ports of call is the local Coop, which often stocks the local brews of the area. But make sure you also check out the local Getränkmarkt – a specialised drinks store – that likely stocks even the smallest brands.
- Keep an eye out for local Beer Festivals or Hikes – Throughout the year, there are several Beer Festivals taking place. A personal favourite of mine is the Aegeri Beer hike which takes place in Kanton Zug on September 17th 2022.
- Other events include:
- At restaurants, always ask for the home or local brew – This is how we have discovered some exciting brews, including those from the Zurich Airport or ones made locally at the ski resorts.
- Look out for Beer Tastings or extensive Beer Menus – the best way to find a new beer. My favourite is the Brasserie Federal, which has 50 Swiss beers on offer. Its convenient location right in Zürich’s main train station is a bonus.
- Smart Beer subscription – this option will deliver six Swiss microbrews to your door each month for the period of your subscription (3, 6 or 12 months). Included is a description of the beer, the brewery and where they are located (in German).
- Brew your own – Einhorn Brewery in Hünenberg offers you the chance to brew your own beer. What an excellent present for the beer lover in your family!
- Online ordering options – Amstein offers a large selection of Swiss beers for you to order online and have delivered.
- A website dedicated to beer – Want to know more and see what other people think of certain beers? Check out Bov’s website – the Ultimate Guide to Swiss Beer!
Best Swiss Beers to Try: My Personal Picks
- Chomer Bier – Brewed in Cham in Kanton Zug, I personally enjoy their “Banana Joe” on a hot summer’s evening.
- HOPe Kraftbier – This beer brand is popping up in many restaurants here in Schaffhausen. Their Jungle IPA and Summer Pop are great additions to the rest of their beers.
- Schlathuus – I discovered this beer brand on our cookie-making trip to Emmental in a small Getrankmarkt that we visited during our day. I really like their Sushi (ginger) beer.
- Chopfab – Although this one is easy to find in most supermarkets nowadays, it was one of the first Swiss craft breweries I discovered. My personal favourite is their summer range.
- Pilgrim – Brewed in a Kloster in Kanton Aargau, their Amber beer is a personal favourite.
- Bier Factory CH – Who could resist a beer called Wanderlust?
Frequently Asked Questions About Swiss Beer
Feldschlösschen is Switzerland’s most widely sold beer, but each region has local favourites. In German-speaking Switzerland, you’ll also commonly see Quöllfrisch, Calanda, and Schützengarten on tap.
Yes! Coop and Migros now stock a growing selection of local craft beers. Coop in particular often carries brews from nearby microbreweries. For even more variety, look for a Getränkemarkt (specialised drinks shop) in your area.
Expect to pay around CHF 1.50–3.00 for a bottle at the supermarket and CHF 6–9 for a beer at a restaurant or bar. Craft beers tend to be at the higher end of both ranges.
Swiss brewers aren’t bound by Germany’s Reinheitsgebot purity law, which gives them more freedom to experiment with ingredients. While lager still dominates, Switzerland’s craft scene has exploded with IPAs, sours, and creative seasonal brews.
Quöllfrisch from Appenzeller is a crowd-pleaser and easy to find at any supermarket. For something more special, pick up a bottle from a local craft brewery — Chopfab, Pilgrim or Bier Factory all make great gifts and are widely available. If you’re flying out of Zürich Airport, the duty-free shop often has Swiss beer gift sets.
