The European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU) has announced the results of its European Travel Beer Survey, celebrating the best places to enjoy a quality beer while in transit.
April 2025 – Brussels
The European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU) has announced the results of its European Travel Beer Survey, celebrating the best places to enjoy a quality beer while in transit. After gathering input from travellers across the continent, two names stood out above the rest: Copenhagen Airport and Sheffield Railway Station.
Best Airport for Beer: Copenhagen Airport (Denmark)
Copenhagen Airport was praised for its dedication to local and independent craft beer. The Mikkeller Bar was frequently mentioned as a standout destination for its rotating tap list and modern design. Respondents also highlighted the ÅBEN bar, located landside, as another excellent option for travellers seeking quality beer before takeoff. Together, these venues have helped turn Copenhagen Airport into a genuine beer destination rather than just a place to pass through.
Honourable mentions went to:
- Munich Airport (Germany), home to Airbräu, Europe’s first airport-based brewery, serving fresh Bavarian beer in a classic beer garden setting.
- London Heathrow (UK), appreciated for its decent pub-style venues, where travellers can still enjoy a proper pint before flying.
Best Railway Station for Beer: Sheffield Station (United Kingdom)
Sheffield took the top railway spot thanks to the much-loved Sheffield Tap, a beautifully restored Edwardian pub located directly on the platform. With an impressive range of both local and international craft beers, it’s a must-visit for any beer enthusiast traveling through northern England.
Honourable mentions included:
- York Station (UK), known for its nearby pubs and beer-friendly atmosphere.
- Brussels Central (Belgium) and Munich Hauptbahnhof (Germany), both praised for their easy access to excellent beer venues just outside the station—proof that a great beer is often just a short stroll away.
Travellers Share Their Beer Tales
Respondents also shared personal anecdotes, with some admitting to paying as much as €12–15 for a single beer at airports in Scandinavia or Switzerland. Others described disappointing experiences like being served warm, bland lager at major transit hubs or finding themselves in terminals with no beer at all.
On a more positive note, the survey also unearthed some hidden gems—including praise for the Stalybridge Buffet Bar in the UK, smaller bars tucked just outside major train stations in multiple cities and Lumen Craft – a brewery located inside Chisinau airport in Moldova.
“We launched this survey to shine a light on how beer culture can thrive even in places of transit,” said EBCU Chairman André Brunnsberg. “Copenhagen and Sheffield show what’s possible when quality and locality are put first. These aren’t just places to wait for your flight or train — they’re places worth arriving early for.”
EBCU hopes the results will inspire more airports and railway stations across Europe to raise the bar for beer-drinking travellers.
About EBCU
The European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU) represents beer drinkers in over a dozen countries, promoting consumer rights, access to quality beer, and the preservation of local beer traditions.
