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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 Hoegaarden brewed?

Genuine import Verified Last checked 6 September 2026

Hoegaarden is genuinely imported from Belgium, at the same strength as at home.

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

4.9%
UK
4.9%
Belgium
The UK version matches the strength sold in Belgium.

Every beer on the shelf by strength

Brewed for the UK in
Imported from Belgium
Imported
Sold as a beer from
Belgium
Named after the Belgian village of Hoegaarden, Belgian witbier styling
Brewed in (country)
Belgium
Brand owner
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
HQ: Leuven, Belgium
UK strength
4.9%
Strength at home (Belgium)
4.9%
Home-market strength of 4.9% read from Colruyt's page for the home market; the UK pack is 4.9%.
What the UK label says
“Country of Origin: Belgium. InBev Belgium nv/sa, Stoopkensstraat 46, B-3320 Hoegaarden, Belgium”
Source: ocado.com
More about the brand: rights, style, when it was created, where it is brewed at home
UK rights held by
Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I (AB InBev UK Limited) (as importer and distributor)
Style
Belgian Witbier
Brand created
1966, Belgium
Brewed at home in
Hoegaarden, Belgium (InBev Belgium nv/sa, Stoopkensstraat 46)

In short

Hoegaarden is the real thing on origin: the beer in UK shops is brewed at Hoegaarden in Belgium. It is also the same strength as at home, 4.9%. The brand belongs to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, which also owns Bass and Boddingtons in the UK. In the UK it is imported and distributed by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I. The label says: "Country of Origin: Belgium. InBev Belgium nv/sa, Stoopkensstraat 46, B-3320 Hoegaarden, Belgium."

Who has brewed it here

YearsBrewerSiteSource
Dates not establishedImported from BelgiumHoegaarden, Belgiumocado.com

What changed

Questions people ask

Where is Hoegaarden brewed?

The UK product is imported. It is brewed at Hoegaarden in Belgium.

Is Hoegaarden brewed in the UK?

No. The UK product is brewed in Belgium.

Is Hoegaarden really Belgian?

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

Who owns Hoegaarden?

Hoegaarden is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. In the UK the brand is handled by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I as importer and distributor.

What strength is Hoegaarden in the UK?

Hoegaarden is 4.9% ABV in the UK. In Belgium it is 4.9%.

Is Hoegaarden weaker in the UK than in Belgium?

No. It is 4.9% in both the UK and Belgium.

See also

Affligem Blond
Imported from Belgium · sold as Belgian
Unverified
Chimay Blue
Imported from Belgium · sold as Belgian
Partly verified
Duvel
Imported from Belgium · 8.5% · sold as Belgian
Genuine import Verified
Grimbergen Blonde
Imported from Belgium · sold as Belgian
Unverified
La Chouffe Blonde
Imported from Belgium · 8.0% · sold as Belgian
Verified
Leffe Blonde
Mixed supply · 6.0% · sold as Belgian
Partly verified

Every beer sold as Belgium · Every brand owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Sources

  1. Ocado (ocado.com), 5 September 2026: country of origin Belgium, brewery address in Hoegaarden, 4.9% ABV
  2. second research pass (petebrown.net): cited by second research pass
  3. second research pass (tesco.com): cited by second research pass
  4. second research pass (ocado.com): cited by second research pass
  5. Colruyt (Belgian retailer) (colruyt.be), 6 September 2026: Belgian grocery listing for Hoegaarden bière blanche 33cl: '4,9 % vol'.

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