Food & Drinks

The Ultimate Beer Bucket List: 17 Beer Brands You Must Try

It’s become a norm to see beer bottles and pints at parties. After all, nothing hits the spot better than an ice cold pint of beer! Given the amount of beer brands available, it can be confusing to decide which lager to go for. To help you craft your own (beer) bucket list, here are some best beer brands in Singapore to get the party going!

What are the main types of beer in Singapore?

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Apart from knowing what are the best beer brands in Singapore, it’s also helpful to understand the different types of beer there are and how they differ in terms of taste. Here are some of the main types you’ll find when shopping for beers or when you’re bar-hopping!

Type of beer Taste notes Best food pairing
Pale ale Medium-bodied, malty, with citrusy, herbal, or floral notes Burgers, meat pies, pizza
India Pale Ale (IPA) Bitter, strong, with citrusy, herbal, or floral notes Spicy food, buffalo wings, nachos
Lager Light, malty, easy-to-drink Seafood, grilled pork or chicken, spicy food
Stout Full-bodied, dark, creamy, bitter, and often likened to coffee Roasted food, smoked food, braised dishes
Porter Chocolatey, dark, roasted Steak, barbequed meats, chocolate

Best crowd-favourite beer brands in Singapore

1. Heineken

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Few of the best beer brands in Singapore can match the iconic status of Heineken. Try as you might, you can never miss its green and red design! Some fans even liken Heineken to the McDonald’s of the beer market. This European beer differentiates itself from other beer brands by providing a richer lager flavour. Instead of doubling down on bitterness, Heineken Lager Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket)  delivers a fizzy taste that’s peppered with bits of barley and hop spice, allowing it to stand tall above other best beer brands. Heineken lager beer is also one of the cheapest beers that you can find in supermarkets in Singapore!

2. Guinness Draught

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Fancy a taste of the original Irish dry stout? Detractors might dismiss the Guinness Draught Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket) as an old man’s beer but look past the robust roasted barley flavour and you’ll discover a beer that’s brimming with smoothness and richness! One fun fact about this dark beer is that Guinness uses nitrogen to carbonate its draught instead of traditional carbon dioxide. This lowers acidity levels and gives the Guinness Draught Beer a creamier head and smoother taste!

3. Tiger Beer

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We can’t talk about the best cheap beers in Singapore without mentioning the classic Tiger Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket)! Apart from being the number one choice of your relatives during your family gatherings, Tiger Beer has established itself as a big player in the affordable booze market. Despite being one of the cheapest beers you can get at supermarkets in Singapore, Tiger Beer doesn’t disappoint with its excellent combination of premium malted barley and hops. This gives each sip a signature smoothness that you wouldn’t usually find in other best beer brands!

Pro Tip: Those who prefer a more refreshing beverage, opt for the Tiger Radler Lemon Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket) which is additive-free with a splash of lemon juice!

4. Carlsberg

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One of the most well-loved beer brands in the market, Carlsberg’s distinct green packaging is definitely a classic among alcohol-drinkers. With a heritage that dates back to 1904, the Carlsberg Pilsner (Single Can) (available on Shopee Supermarket) is strongly rooted in Danish cultural heritage. What’s more, it boasts a perfect balance between bitterness and the sweetness of apples, with a bright golden color and bubbly like foam.

Apart from this, its aroma contains a mix of pine, straws, hazelnuts and sorrels which will definitely draw you in. With an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 5%, the Carlsberg Pilsner is one of the best beer brands in Singapore for a light, refreshing mid-day drink.

Psst, want to enjoy the taste of beer but can’t afford to be hungover the next morning? The Carlsberg Alcohol Free Wheat Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket) offers you fantastic mouthfeel and aroma – but without the alcohol and sugar!

5. Hoegaarden

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Originating from a small Belgian town of the same name more than 500 years ago, Hoegaarden is the original kickstarter of the Belgian white beer trend! One of our favourites is the Hoegaarden White Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket). Featuring a cloudy yellow colour that’s characteristic of unfiltered wheat beer, the Belgian beer is spiced with coriander and orange peel. This provides an aromatic spiciness and sweetness that fans know and love. Also, its low alcohol content makes Hoegaarden White Beer one of the best beer brands at dinner parties!

Pro Tip:  For drinkers who prefer their beers on the sweeter side, get the Hoegaarden Rosee (available on Pacific Beverages Official Store) – a pink wheat beer with only 3% alcohol!

6. Sapporo

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As one of the oldest and best beer brands still functioning in Japan, Sapporo Premium Draft Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket) is perfect for providing a refreshing taste! Attracting beer enthusiasts worldwide with its signature dark-gold colour, Sapporo’s rice-based beer enhances the taste of Asian food.

Instead of focusing on having an inviting aroma like other best beers in Singapore, Sapporo Premium beer keeps fans coming back for more with its light-bodied mouthfeel and superb dry finish! We also love how its bitter-sweet combination also helps to cleanse the palate. This lets you dive right in for another serving without feeling too overwhelmed!

6. Kronenbourg Blanc

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As a one of the best beers in Singapore that’s quickly gaining popularity for its bright zesty flavours, the French-based Kronenbourg Blanc (available on Shopee Supermarket) is a breath of fresh air in today’s wheat flavoured beer market! Housed in a premium blue bottle, Kronebourg’s cloudy yellow beer initially draws you in with its unique fruity aroma. This beverage is perfect for non-beer drinkers because it lacks the stale aftertaste present in other beers. Instead, Kronenbourg Blanc presents a mesh of sweet wheat flavours with clues of citrus acidity.

7. Asahi Super Dry

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Crisp, dry and refreshing — this is the praise commonly conferred upon Asahi Super Dry (available on Shopee Supermarket) as it competes with other beer brands for the crown of best Japanese beer in Singapore! As advertised, the beer has a dry finish, meaning it’s fully fermented and leaves no residual sugar. This ultimately contributes to the clean and crisp taste profile that Asahi Super Dry is renowned for! Given that it’s the number one selling beer in Japan, we recommend following the unwritten rule of pairing Asahi beer with Japanese food for maximum satisfaction.

9. Budweiser

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Light, malty, and smooth, Budweiser Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket) has been an all-time favourite for many. It’s exactly what you need if you’re looking for something that is crisp and refreshing to pair with your seafood dishes! We’d recommend this beer for light drinkers, and not for those who prefer stronger alcohol content and taste notes. Apart from its crisp, medium-bodied taste, Budweiser is also one of the cheapest beer brands that you can find in supermarkets in Singapore. This beer is definitely the best value-for-money option for hosting large parties! 

10. Cass Beer

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If you love somaek (a cocktail of soju and beer), we highly recommend you stock up on Cass Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket) for the perfect concoction. Cass beer is known for its crisp, fresh taste that’s much less bitter compared to other beers on the market. It is also well-carbonated for that invigorating mouthfeel! What’s more, it is one of the cheapest Korean beer brands that you can find in supermarkets in Singapore. Pair it with the best soju flavours for your somaek party! 

Best craft beer brands in Singapore

11. Brewerkz

(Credit: Brewerkz Official Store)

When discussing the best beer brands in Singapore, Brewerkz is definitely on the cards for craft beers! As Singapore’s longest-running craft brewery, Brewerkz provides an assortment of curated craft beers that’ll appeal to a multitude of liquor preferences. If you’re spoilt for choice, we recommend checking out this Singapore beer brand’s best-selling Brewerkz Golden Ale (available on Brewerkz Official Store)! Using premium British malts as the base, the Brewerkz Golden Ale evokes a biscuit-like maltiness that’ll light up your taste buds. This is further accented with mild floral and citrus cues that keeps fans coming back for more!

12. Brooklyn Brewery

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India Pale Ale (IPA) is a great option to go for if you’re just starting to try out craft beers! Whether you’re a beer geek or a beginner when it comes to craft beer, you’ll appreciate the Brooklyn Brewery Defender IPA Craft Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket). It is one of the best craft beers in Singapore that’s easy-to-drink, with fruity and tropical notes of hops. We recommend pairing this craft beer with spicy food or with a good barbecue skewer!

13. Lost Coast Brewery

(Credit: Thirsty)

Keen on changing things up from your usual preferred beers in Singapore? Lost Coast beers are constantly reinventing the wheel with their varied flavours and ingredients! With unique names like 8 Ball Stout and Great White, you’ll certainly discover a craft beer that’ll wow your taste buds. Personally, we loved the twist that Lost Coast Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk Stout (available on Thirsty) offers on the conventional stout formula. By throwing in layers of peanut butter and rich chocolate, the stout offers elevated creaminess and a milky mouthfeel that’s perfect for sweet tooths!

14. Archipelago Brewery

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Like other best beers in Singapore with microbrewery roots on this list, Archipelago Brewery beers are highly coveted and come with their share of awards and accolades! Specifically, we’d recommend the Archipelago Brewery Singapore Blonde Ale (available on Shopee Supermarket) for its local take on the golden ale formula!

Instead of hammering your taste buds with heavy flavours and spices, the Singapore Blonde Ale keeps things simple and smooth with ample zest from its citrusy additives. Thanks to hints of lime to pandan leaves, the beer’s tartness and sweetness gives it a bright edge. It’s no wonder fans think craft beer from this best Singapore beer brand is the perfect complement for grilled and spicy dishes!

15. 4 Pines Brewing Company

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Pining for a road trip to Australia along Great Ocean Road? Transport yourself there (air-ticket-free) with a bottle of 4 Pines “Freshy” Extra Refreshing Australia Session Ale (available on Thirsty)! With an idyllic packaging featuring relaxing wave graphics in its background, this craft beer combines Melba with Pride of Ringwood hops for a refreshing taste. Overall, this mid-strength beer is smooth, dry and quenching, making it one of the best craft beer brands in Singapore that you have to try!

16. Little Creatures

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For those who love a more intense flavour, the Little Creatures Pale Ale Craft Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket) will do the trick. Specially brewed in Australia, this craft beer uses direct sourced hops to deliver a strong citrus and grapefruit flavour and aroma that will definitely leave you feeling refreshed. Additionally, the Little Creatures Pale Ale features a balanced taste with a careful selection of specialty malts and local pale malt. What’s not to love about a beer that is refreshing yet smooth?

17. Jing A Brewing Co

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For those who want to explore unique beer flavours, Jing A Brewing Co. is one of the best craft beer brands in Singapore that won’t disappoint with their selection of beers. This brand uses rare ingredients to concoct interesting flavours such as the award-winning Jing A Brewing Co Worker’s Pale Ale (available on Shopee Supermarket). It features notes of grapefruit and pine, coupled with pale and specialty malts. This craft beer also has 5.2% alcohol by volume, and is recommended to be paired with dishes like curry, meats, and burgers!

Kanpai to the best beers in Singapore

From fan-favourites to niche craft beer flavours,  we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the best beers in Singapore! Join our alcohol VIP lounge for exciting offers on all kinds of liquor! For more bang for your buck, stock up your beers during our 9.9 Super Shopping Day, where amazing deals await! With all that alcohol, you’ll probably need some way to entertain the crowd. Read our guide to the best card games and best Nintendo Switch games that are sure to engage party guests! Don’t forget to stock up on the best Korean snacks on Shopee Supermarket to pair with your beers too!

This article was updated on 13 July 2022. Additional research done by Liang Shi Nan.

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Bryant Tay

When he's not telling others why Tom Holland is the best Spider-man, Bryant can be found indulging in football banter and exploring the vast world of gym fitness. He'll also buy you a cup of coffee if you can name a video game he's never heard of!

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Bryant Tay