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Which beers sold as foreign are brewed in Britain, and what to buy instead

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Work in progress. We are still reading cans and settling where listings disagree. Seen a beer whose small print contradicts its label? Tell us.

Where is Budweiser Budvar Original brewed?

Genuine import Verified Last checked 5 September 2026

Budweiser Budvar Original is genuinely imported from the Czech Republic, at the same strength as at home.

Listed by Tesco when last checked. The product pages are among the sources below.

5.0%
UK
5.0%
Czech Republic
The UK version matches the strength sold in the Czech Republic.

Every beer on the shelf by strength

Brewed for the UK in
Imported from Czech Republic
Imported
Sold as a beer from
Czech Republic
Czech name, Budweis/Ceske Budejovice heritage on label
Brewed in (country)
Czech Republic
Brand owner
Budejovicky Budvar, narodni podnik (national enterprise)
HQ: Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
UK strength
5.0%
Strength at home (Czech Republic)
5.0%
UK 500ml bottle is 5.0% abv, matching the Czech Original.
What the UK label says
“Country of origin Czech Republic; 'imported directly from Ceske Budejovice'; brewer Budweiser Budvar N.C., K. Svetle 512/4, Ceske Budejovice”
Source: www.tesco.com
More about the brand: rights, style, when it was created, where it is brewed at home
UK rights held by
Budweiser Budvar UK Ltd, Bristol (as importer and distributor)
Style
Czech pale lager
Brand created
1895, Czech Republic
Brewed at home in
Ceske Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic

In short

Budweiser Budvar Original is imported. The UK product is brewed at Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Republic. It is also the same strength as at home, 5.0%. The brand belongs to Budejovicky Budvar, narodni podnik (national enterprise). In the UK it is imported and distributed by Budweiser Budvar UK Ltd. The label says: "Country of origin Czech Republic; 'imported directly from Ceske Budejovice'; brewer Budweiser Budvar N.C., K. Svetle 512/4, Ceske Budejovice."

Who has brewed it here

YearsBrewerSiteSource
Dates not establishedNot establishedImported throughout; UK import arm Budweiser Budvar UK Ltd, Bristoltesco.com

Questions people ask

Where is Budweiser Budvar Original brewed?

The UK product is imported. It is brewed at Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Republic.

Is Budweiser Budvar Original brewed in the UK?

No. The UK product is brewed in the Czech Republic.

Is Budweiser Budvar Original really Czech?

Yes, on origin: the UK product is brewed in the Czech Republic.

Who owns Budweiser Budvar Original?

Budweiser Budvar Original is owned by Budejovicky Budvar, narodni podnik (national enterprise), headquartered in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. In the UK the brand is handled by Budweiser Budvar UK Ltd as importer and distributor.

What strength is Budweiser Budvar Original in the UK?

Budweiser Budvar Original is 5.0% ABV in the UK. In the Czech Republic it is 5.0%.

Is Budweiser Budvar Original weaker in the UK than in the Czech Republic?

No. It is 5.0% in both the UK and the Czech Republic.

See also

Kozel Lezak
Imported from Czech Republic · sold as Czech
Partly verified
Pilsner Urquell
Imported from Czech Republic · 4.4% · sold as Czech
Genuine import Verified
Pravha
Burton upon Trent · 4.0% · sold as Czech
Brewed here Verified
Staropramen Premium Czech Lager
Burton upon Trent · 5.0% · sold as Czech
Brewed here Verified

Side by side with Staropramen Premium Czech Lager.

Every beer sold as Czech Republic

Sources

  1. Tesco (tesco.com), 5 September 2026: 5.0% abv, Czech Republic origin, brewer address in Ceske Budejovice, UK importer Budweiser Budvar UK Ltd Bristol, 'owned by the Czech Republic'
  2. second research pass (northeastbylines.co.uk): cited by second research pass
  3. second research pass (thegrocer.co.uk): cited by second research pass

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