Carlsberg and Heineken – Probably the worst big lagers in Europe

The lager category not only commands the largest market share in Europe but also reigns as the most-rated beer style on the Pint Please beer app. Dominated by industry giants, this category sees global brewing leaders such as Ab InBev securing the top spot with an impressive lineup of best-selling lagers. Following closely is Heineken, whose flagship Heineken 5.0% Pale Lager stands as one of the top-selling beers in this style.

We have compiled this list of the top-selling lager beers in Europe, encompassing both the best and worst performers among the big lager brands. This analysis aims to offer a comprehensive view of consumer preferences and market dynamics in the region.

Pint Please is a beer app designed to enhance the beer-drinking experience for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. It serves as a valuable tool for discovering and exploring a wide variety of beers, breweries, and pubs. With a database boasting over 6,000,000 million beer reviews, over 330,000 beer profiles from 32,000 breweries, users can access a wealth of information. This includes details about different beer styles, breweries and user-generated reviews and ratings. Pint Please is a handy companion for anyone looking to expand their beer knowledge and make informed choices when it comes to selecting and enjoying beers.

Based on millions of Pint Please beer reviews what is the best and the worst lager?

The top three best lagers among the big breweries are all really close to each other based on Pint Please ratings. Ratings vary from 3,21⭐ to 3,24⭐ stars on a 0 to 5 scale. The best big lager based on Pint Please’s over 6 million beer reviews is Stella Artois 5,0% with a rating of 3,24⭐. The average rating in the lager category is 2.9⭐. Stella can be a surprise on the list for some people, especially from the UK, as it’s not seen as a high-quality beer in Britain. However, Stella gets better reviews in mainland Europe. It might be that the recipe for Stella in mainland Europe is different to the UK like The Real Ale Craft Beer YouTube channel found out when Stella was tested.

1. Stella Artois

ABV: 5,0%

Style: Pilsner

Brewery: Stella Artois,(Ab InBev)

Rating in Pint Please: 3,24⭐

Stella Artois boasts an impressive customer approval rating, with over 30% of reviews scoring it as 4 out of 5 stars or higher, and a significant portion of those exceeding 4.5 stars. In contrast, Heineken lags behind with just over 10% of its ratings categorized as ‘good.’ When examining lower scores, Stella Artois further outperforms Heineken: only 18% of Stella’s ratings fall below the 2.5-star mark, while for Heineken, that number soars to over 40%.

Commercial description: Stella Artois was first brewed as a Christmas beer in Leuven. It was named Stella from the star of Christmas, and Artois after Sebastian Artois, founder of the brewery. It is brewed to perfection using the original Stella Artois yeast and the celebrated Saaz hops. It is the optimum premium lager, with its full flavor and clean crisp taste. ABV. varies between markets.

2. Corona Extra

ABV: 4,5%

Style: Pale Lager

Brewery: Grupe modelo (Ab InBev)

Rating in Pint Please: 3,22⭐

With the lowest ABV level among the beers in question, Corona Extra is characterized as an easy-drinking beverage according to data from Pint Please, particularly when enjoyed with a slice of lime. It holds an average rating of 3.22 out of 5 stars. Interestingly, Corona is often associated with vacation settings, and our picture analysis indicates that many of its reviews are generated in holiday environments. This raises the question: To what extent does the holiday ambiance influence Corona’s ratings? Would the beer receive comparable scores if the reviews were primarily conducted in domestic settings?

Commercial Description: Born in Mexico and brought up on the beach, Corona is the perfect compliment to life’s simple pleasures. The golden colour, light refreshing flavour and iconic hand-painted bottle, topped off with freshly squeezed lime. When the living is easy, the beer is Corona.

Italian Elegance: Notable Runners-Up

3. Birra moretti

ABV: 4,6%

Style: Pale lager

Brewery: Birra Moretti (Heineken)

Rating in Pint Please: 3,21⭐

Birra Moretti, an iconic Italian lager, has achieved a remarkable feat by consistently earning ratings above 3.2 out of 5⭐ According to our extensive data, Birra Moretti has solidified its reputation as a strong brand, particularly prominent in restaurants and pubs.

Birra Moretti is not only synonymous with Italian craftsmanship but has also found its brewing home in Manchester, England. Impressively, nearly 10% of all reviews for Birra Moretti proudly bear the coveted 5/5⭐ rating. This statistic speaks volumes about the sheer delight experienced by those savouring this beer.

Commercial description: Birra Moretti is a quality beer made in the traditional way. It is the result of a production process that has remained almost unchanged since 1859. The best raw materials are used to make Birra Moretti, as well as a special blend of high quality hops that gives it a unique taste and fragrance, enhancing its perfectly balanced bitter taste. It is a bottom fermented beer with a golden colour. This colouring is a result of the type of malt used in brewing. Its alcohol content is 4.6% alcohol by volume. It is not a strong beer and is therefore perfect for drinking at lunch, at dinner or for evenings out with friends.

4. Peroni Nastro Azzuro

ABV: 5,1%

Style: Pale lager

Brewery: Birra Peroni (Asahi)

Rating in Pint Please: 3,16⭐

Peroni Nastro Azzurro secures its place as the second Italian beer on our illustrious list, trailing Birra Moretti by a mere 0.5 points. This Italian-style lager has carved a formidable niche for itself, commanding a substantial presence in the realms of restaurants and pubs.

Upon closer examination of Peroni’s overall rating, it closely parallels Birra Moretti, reaffirming its steadfast dedication to delivering quality and flavor. However, it’s within the realm of 5-star ratings that Peroni sets itself apart, albeit in a unique manner. In contrast to Birra Moretti’s impressive 10% of 5-star ratings, Peroni boasts a more modest 4% 5-star ratings from Pint Please users.

Commercial description: Peroni Nastro Azzurro’s ABV. varies in different parts of the world. The beer was crafted with typical Italian care, and designed with the Mediterranean palate in mind. Roberto is the third generation from the Cavalli family to be master brewers for Birra Peroni, ensuring the high quality and standards of the beer. Italian passion, attention to detail and craftsmanship are the ingredients that now, and forever, will ensure the superior and authentic Italian taste of Peroni Nastro Azzurro.

5. Becks

ABV: 5,0%

Style: Pilsner

Brewery: Brauerei Becks (Ab InBev)

Rating in Pint Please: 2,99⭐

Beck’s, while undeniably the most recognized German beer in the lager category, surprisingly falls below the coveted 3-star threshold in our ratings. This intriguing contrast between its popularity and its average rating is worth exploring.

Drawing insights from the extensive data gathered by Pint Please, it becomes evident that opinions on Beck’s are quite polarized. Astonishingly, more than 20% of the reviews extol the virtues of Beck’s, earning it a commendable 4-star rating or higher. These reviews undoubtedly highlight the beer’s appeal to a substantial segment of beer drinkers who find it praiseworthy.

On the flip side, an equal number of reviews cast a more critical light on Beck’s, rating it below 3 stars, which is less favourable. This diversity in ratings suggests that Beck’s, while beloved by some, may not align with the tastes and preferences of others.

The unique interplay of high and low ratings underscores the subjective nature of beer appreciation. Beck’s remains a topic of discussion and debate among beer connoisseurs, making it a fascinating case study in the world of lagers.

Commercial description: The world’s No. 1 German beer, Beck’s is renowned for uncompromising quality by consumers in over 85 countries. Since 1873, the brand has been dedicated to innovation and independent thought. True to its original recipe, Beck’s has been brewed in the same way using four key natural ingredients for more than 140 years. The hops used to brew Beck’s today still come from the Hallertau region, and every bottle of Beck’s is brewed according to the uncompromising German Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law). ABV. vary between markets.

6. Carlsberg lager

ABV: 5,0%

Style: Pilsner

Brewery: Carlsberg

Rating in Pint Please: 2,84⭐

Our data presents a compelling narrative that Carlsberg does not claim the title of “the best beer in the world.” In fact, on our comprehensive list, it shares a rather unenviable position, nestled alongside Budweiser as the second lowest-rated option.

Delving into the specifics, Carlsberg garners less than 3% of its ratings as 5-star endorsements, signifying a significant departure from the upper echelons of beer appreciation. Moreover, it falls short of the mark with less than 15% of its ratings earning the distinction of being classified as “good,” which means they receive a rating of over 4 stars.

These numbers place Carlsberg behind the likes of Becks and Italian beers Peroni ad Birra Moretti in terms of consumer satisfaction and perception. It’s a clear indication that Carlsberg, despite its widespread presence, faces certain challenges in captivating the palates of discerning beer enthusiasts. This analysis underscores the importance of nuanced beer preferences and serves as a valuable reference point for those seeking a more refined brew.

Commercial Description: Probably the best beer in the world, and the flagship brand in Carlsberg Group’s portfolio. A regular in millions of bars across 140 countries worldwide, it is a truly international beer brand.

7. Budweiser

ABV: 5,0%

Style: Pale Lager

Brewery: Ab InBev

Rating in Pint Please: 2,84⭐

Mirroring Carlsberg’s ratings, Budweiser, often abbreviated as BUD, occupies a comparable standing regarding consumer appreciation. However, there are some noteworthy distinctions to consider.

Budweiser, a quintessential American beer, offers a curious twist in its reception. Like Stella Artois, it appears to enjoy more favourable ratings in Europe than in its home country. This phenomenon highlights the intriguing interplay between regional preferences and beer appreciation.

While Budweiser does boast a slightly higher percentage of 5-star ratings compared to Carlsberg, it’s essential to acknowledge the considerable presence of lower ratings in its portfolio. This indicates a divided opinion among consumers, with a significant portion expressing less enthusiasm for this American classic

Commercial description: Brewed and sold since 1876, “The King of Beers” is the largest-selling beer in the world. Budweiser has been the world’s best-selling beer since 1957, and is distributed in more than 70 countries. Budweiser leads the U.S. Premium beer category, outselling all other domestic premium beers combined. In fact, one in almost every five beers sold in the United States today is a Budweiser. We know of no brand produced by any other brewer which costs so much to brew and age. Our exclusive Beechwood Aging produces a taste, a smoothness and a drinkability you will find in no other beer at any price.

8. Heineken

ABV: 5,0%

Style: Pale Lager

Brewery: Heineken

Rating in Pint Please: 2,76⭐

While Heineken may hold the title of Europe’s top-selling beer, it lags significantly behind Stella Artois in customer ratings, trailing by a margin of 0.46 stars. Stella Artois leads the pack as the highest-rated beer on the list. Intriguingly, despite its lower rating, Heineken is one of the most-reviewed beers on Pint Please, garnering close to 16,000 reviews.

Commercial description: For over 150 years, a ceaseless commitment to purity and quality have made Heineken® the most iconic beer brand in the world. When you see the red-star on the green bottle, you know every ice-cold, crisp sip will deliver that richly satisfying flavor with subtle fruity notes. A tradition of taste that his lived on for over a century and a half thanks to the simplicity and quality of the ingredients and the meticulous attention to the brewing process. ABV varies between markets.

So what accounts for this paradox—Heineken’s overwhelming popularity despite its subpar rating?

The Heineken Brewery offers a diverse range of 77 beers, including various specialty and non-alcoholic options. Yet, its overall brewery rating, based on the collective reviews of all these offerings, mirrors that of its flagship 5.0% beer, standing at a modest 2.76 stars. This score is notably inferior to Stella Artois’s brewery rating of 3.22 and Carlsberg’s rating of 2.95, indicating that Heineken falls short in terms of consumer approval.

Upon closer inspection of the ratings, nearly 40% of Heineken’s reviews fall below the 2.5-star threshold, which is considered quite low in a broader context. A significant number of these are even worse, plunging below 1.5 stars. Therefore, while Heineken may dominate in terms of sales, the data suggests that it may not be the best lager option for discerning consumers.