PretendPint

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

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

What to buy at Asda, and what to check first

22 of the beers on this site have an Asda product page on record, read for the producer address and the strength on the pack. 5 are imported from the country on the label, 2 are British and say so and 6 are sold as foreign and brewed in Britain. The most searched-for names in the last group are Cruzcampo Sevilla Orange, Madrí Excepcional, Carlsberg Special Brew and Kingfisher Premium Lager.

Read this first. A product page on record means the listing existed on the date shown; it does not mean the beer is in stock today. Prices are not recorded here, because they change weekly and differ by store and by pack: the link on each entry goes to Asda's own page, which shows the price on the day. Nothing on this page is chosen on taste, and no beer pays to appear. How to read the can itself.

Imported from the country on the label 5

The beer sold in Britain is brewed where the branding says. Where the version sold at home is stronger, the line under the card says so.

  1. Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0
    Imported from Italy · 0.0% · sold as Italian
    Verified

    Brewed in Italy. 0.0% here, the same as at home.

  2. Heineken Silver
    Imported from Netherlands · 4.0% · sold as Dutch
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed in the Netherlands. 4.0% here, the same as at home.

  3. Damm Daura
    Imported from Spain · sold as Spanish
    Partly verified

    Brewed in Spain. Strength here not established.

  4. Tyskie Gronie
    Imported from Poland · 5.0% · sold as Polish
    Verified

    Brewed at Tychy in Poland. 5.0% here, against 5.2% at home.

  5. Warsteiner Premium Verum
    Imported from Germany · 4.8% · sold as German
    Partly verified

    Brewed at Warstein in Germany. 4.8% here, the same as at home.

British, brewed in Britain, and says so 2

A British brand, brewed here and sold as British, whoever owns it.

  1. Newcastle Brown Ale
    Tadcaster · 4.7% · sold as British
    Honest British Partly verified

    British, brewed at Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. 4.7% here.

  2. Hobgoblin Ruby
    Burton upon Trent · 4.5% · sold as British
    Honest British Verified

    British, brewed at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. 4.5% here.

Split supply: check the can 4

Some packs are imported and some are brewed here. The producer address on the pack says which one you are holding.

  1. Amstel
    Mixed supply · 3.4% · sold as Dutch
    Partly verified

    Some packs imported, some brewed here, 3.4% here. The pack says which.

  2. Modelo Especial
    Mixed supply · 4.5% · sold as Mexican
    Partly verified

    Some packs imported, some brewed here, 4.5% here. The pack says which.

  3. Leffe Blonde
    Mixed supply · 6.0% · sold as Belgian
    Partly verified

    Some packs imported, some brewed here, 6.0% here. The pack says which.

  4. Desperados
    Mixed supply · 5.9% · sold as Mexican
    Verified

    Some packs imported, some brewed here, 5.9% here. The pack says which.

Imported, but not from the country on the label 3

Genuinely imported, but from a third country rather than the one the branding points at.

  1. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
    Imported from Nigeria · 7.5% · sold as Irish
    Verified

    Imported from Nigeria, 7.5% here.

  2. Asahi Super Dry 0.0
    Imported from Italy · 0.0% · sold as Japanese
    Verified

    Imported from Italy, 0.0% here.

  3. Birra Moretti Zero
    Imported from Netherlands · 0.05% · sold as Italian
    Verified

    Imported from the Netherlands, 0.05% here.

Sold as foreign, brewed in Britain 6

The branding points at another country and the beer is brewed in Britain. Where the rules find enough beers that are what they say, there is a page of what to drink instead.

  1. Cruzcampo Sevilla Orange
    Manchester · 3.3% · sold as Spanish
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Manchester, 3.3% here.

  2. Madrí Excepcional
    Tadcaster · 4.6% · sold as Spanish
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Tadcaster, North Yorkshire and Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, 4.6% here.

  3. Carlsberg Special Brew
    Northampton · 7.5% · sold as Danish
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Northampton, Northamptonshire, 7.5% here.

  4. Kingfisher Premium Lager
    Hartlepool · 4.5% · sold as Indian
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Hartlepool, County Durham, 4.5% here.

  5. Shipyard American Pale Ale
    Burton upon Trent · 4.5% · sold as American
    Brewed here Partly verified

    Brewed at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, 4.5% here.

  6. Murphy's Irish Stout
    Brewed in Britain · 4.0% · sold as Irish
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed in Britain, 4.0% here.

Where it is brewed is not established 2

No source yet says where the UK product is brewed. Mostly own-label lagers whose producer is not published.

  1. Estrella Damm
    Imported from Spain · 4.6% · sold as Spanish
    Partly verified

    Sources disagree about where the UK product is brewed. The beer's page shows both sides.

  2. Lech Premium
    Origin not established · sold as Polish
    Unverified

    Where the UK product is brewed is not established.

Other supermarkets: Tesco · Ocado · Morrisons · Sainsbury's. What to look for on any shelf · The full list of what to buy instead

Spotted an error?Seen a listing or a pack that says something different? Send it and we will check. [email protected]