It seems like the beer industry is expanding. Especially in North America, microbrew culture has become a way of life in many cities, where small, family-run breweries have popped up all over the place. Europe, of course, is a veritable playground of beer-guzzling cities and the world’s best beer festivals include the likes of Munich’s Oktoberfest and the Czech Beer Festival in Prague.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic’s beer prowess falls under the radar for many people, as Czech beers aren’t widely exported or drunk around the world. In fact, pilsner was invented in the Czech Republic (in a little city called, surprise, Plzeň ) and Prague, the country’s capital, is home to more beer drinkers per capita than anywhere else on earth.

Germany

Perhaps the best known and most beloved beer culture in the world comes from Germany, where their concept of outdoor drinking has completely informed the rest of the world’s idea about “beer gardens” and where they do better beer food than pretty much anywhere else on earth. While beer is a staple all over Germany, Munich is its best known drinking town, home of the infamous Oktoberfest beer festival.

Belgium

Belgium is to beer what France is to wine, and the Belgians give beer a good name and a refined culture absent in many other beer drinking societies. Belgian beer is stronger and, arguably, more thoughtfully crafted than in other places. In fact, Belgium has such a strong beer tradition that many of their brews are made by monks – giving a whole new meaning to being a “religious drinker”.

Oregon

Heading of the pack of American beers is Oregon, and namely Portland, the state’s hippie-fresh capital city. Portland has more breweries per capita than any other American city, topping out at 46 microbreweries in a city of just under 600,000. Not too shabby.

Ireland

It’s no secret that the Irish love to drink, and after all, they gave us Guinness, right? Drinking in Ireland is an institutionalised part of culture, but that only makes Ireland better, and Irish pubs are perhaps some of the best in the world, which is why, no matter where on earth you go, you are bound to find an Irish pub.

Colorado

America’s other beer haven is, of course, Colorado. While this Rocky Mountain state made its name brewing the rather questionable Coors brand, nowadays, Colorado is the ultimate destination in microbrew beer. Denver, the burgeoning capital city, is home to dozens (if not hundreds?) of brewpubs, and beyond that, almost every town in Colorado boasts some kind of beer brewing tradition. To get off the beaten track, head to the town of Fort Collins, home to several excellent established breweries.