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 Tesco, and what to check first

75 of the beers on this site have a Tesco product page on record, read for the producer address and the strength on the pack. 24 are imported from the country on the label, 11 are British and say so and 27 are sold as foreign and brewed in Britain. The most searched-for names in the last group are Cruzcampo Sevilla Orange, Madrí Excepcional, Stella Artois Unfiltered and Cruzcampo Sevilla.

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 Tesco'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 24

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. Guinness Draught
    Imported from Ireland · 4.1% · sold as Irish
    Verified

    Brewed at St James's Gate, Dublin in Ireland. 4.1% here, against 4.2% at home.

  2. Budweiser Budvar Original
    Imported from Czech Republic · 5.0% · sold as Czech
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Republic. 5.0% here, the same as at home.

  3. Super Bock
    Imported from Portugal · sold as Portuguese
    Partly verified

    Brewed in Portugal. Strength here not established.

  4. San Miguel 0.0
    Imported from Spain · 0.05% · sold as Spanish
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Málaga in Spain. 0.05% here, the same as at home.

  5. Heineken 0.0
    Imported from Netherlands · 0.0% · sold as Dutch
    Genuine import Verified

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

  6. Estrella Galicia Especial
    Imported from Spain · 4.7% · sold as Spanish
    Verified

    Brewed at A Coruna, Galicia in Spain. 4.7% here, against 5.5% at home.

  7. Erdinger Weissbier
    Imported from Germany · 5.3% · sold as German
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Erding, Bavaria in Germany. 5.3% here, the same as at home.

  8. Sapporo Premium Beer
    Imported from Japan · 5.0% · sold as Japanese
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed in Japan. 5.0% here.

  9. Grolsch Premium Pilsner
    Imported from Netherlands · 3.4% · sold as Dutch
    Verified

    Brewed at Enschede in the Netherlands. 3.4% here, against 5.0% at home.

  10. Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier Naturtrub
    Imported from Germany · 5.5% · sold as German
    Genuine import Partly verified

    Brewed at Munich in Germany. 5.5% here, the same as at home.

  11. Hoegaarden
    Imported from Belgium · 4.9% · sold as Belgian
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Hoegaarden in Belgium. 4.9% here, the same as at home.

  12. Sagres
    Imported from Portugal · 5.0% · sold as Portuguese
    Genuine import Partly verified

    Brewed at Vialonga in Portugal. 5.0% here, the same as at home.

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

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

  14. Duvel
    Imported from Belgium · 8.5% · sold as Belgian
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Breendonk-Dorp, Puurs-Sint-Amands in Belgium. 8.5% here, the same as at home.

  15. Tsingtao Premium Lager
    Imported from China · 4.7% · sold as Chinese
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Qingdao, Shandong in China. 4.7% here.

  16. Chang Classic
    Imported from Thailand · 5.0% · sold as Thai
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Cosmos Brewery Co., Ltd, Ayutthaya in Thailand. 5.0% here, the same as at home.

  17. Krombacher Pils
    Imported from Germany · 4.8% · sold as German
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Kreuztal, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. 4.8% here, the same as at home.

  18. La Chouffe Blonde
    Imported from Belgium · 8.0% · sold as Belgian
    Verified

    Brewed at Achouffe, Houffalize, Wallonia in Belgium. 8.0% here, the same as at home.

  19. 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.

  20. Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier
    Imported from Germany · 5.0% · sold as German
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Munich in Germany. 5.0% here, the same as at home.

  21. Zywiec Premium
    Imported from Poland · 5.5% · sold as Polish
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Zywiec in Poland. 5.5% here, the same as at home.

  22. Birra Ichnusa
    Imported from Italy · 4.7% · sold as Italian
    Genuine import Partly verified

    Brewed at Assemini, Sardinia in Italy. 4.7% here, the same as at home.

  23. Rosa Blanca
    Imported from Spain · 3.4% · sold as Spanish
    Verified

    Brewed at Barcelona in Spain. 3.4% here, against 4.8% at home.

  24. Birra Menabrea Bionda
    Imported from Italy · 4.8% · sold as Italian
    Genuine import Verified

    Brewed at Biella, Piedmont in Italy. 4.8% here, the same as at home.

British, brewed in Britain, and says so 11

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

  1. Carling Original Lager
    Burton upon Trent · 4.0% · sold as British
    Honest British Verified

    British, brewed at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire and Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. 4.0% here.

  2. Carling Black Label Premium Lager
    Burton upon Trent · 4.7% · sold as British
    Honest British Verified

    British, brewed at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. 4.7% here.

  3. John Smith's Extra Smooth
    Tadcaster · 3.6% · sold as British
    Honest British Verified

    British, brewed at Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. 3.6% here.

  4. Greene King IPA
    Bury St Edmunds · 3.4% · sold as English
    Verified

    British, brewed at Westgate Brewery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. 3.4% here.

  5. Greene King Abbot Ale
    Bury St Edmunds · 5.0% · sold as English
    Verified

    British, brewed at Westgate Brewery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. 5.0% here.

  6. Korev
    St Austell · 4.8% · sold as British
    Honest British Verified

    British, brewed at St Austell, Cornwall. 4.8% here.

  7. Shepherd Neame Spitfire
    Faversham · 4.2% · sold as English
    Verified

    British, brewed at Faversham, Kent. 4.2% here.

  8. Adnams Ghost Ship
    Southwold · 4.1% · sold as English
    Verified

    British, brewed at Sole Bay Brewery, Southwold, Suffolk. 4.1% here.

  9. Banks's Amber Bitter
    Burton upon Trent · 3.4% · sold as British
    Verified

    British, brewed at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. 3.4% here.

  10. Sharp's Atlantic Pale Ale
    Tadcaster · 4.5% · sold as British
    Honest British Verified

    British, brewed at Tadcaster, North Yorkshire and Rock, Cornwall. 4.5% here.

  11. Sharp's Doom Bar Amber Ale
    Rock · 4.3% · sold as British
    Honest British Verified

    British, brewed at Rock, Cornwall and Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. 4.3% here.

Split supply: check the can 7

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. Heineken Original 5%
    Mixed supply · 5.0% · sold as Dutch
    Verified

    Some packs imported, some brewed here, 5.0% here. The pack says which.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  6. Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn Lager
    Mixed supply · 5.2% · sold as American
    Partly verified

    Some packs imported, some brewed here, 5.2% here. The pack says which.

  7. Lucky Buddha
    Mixed supply · 4.8% · sold as Chinese
    Partly verified

    Some packs imported, some brewed here, 4.8% 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. Asahi Super Dry
    Imported from Italy · 5.0% · sold as Japanese
    Genuine import Verified

    Imported from Italy, 5.0% 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 27

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. Stella Artois Unfiltered
    Magor · 5.0% · sold as Belgian
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Magor, Monmouthshire, South Wales and Samlesbury, Lancashire, 5.0% here.

  4. Cruzcampo Sevilla
    Manchester · 4.4% · sold as Spanish
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Manchester, 4.4% here.

  5. Staropramen Premium Czech Lager
    Burton upon Trent · 5.0% · sold as Czech
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire and Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, 5.0% here.

  6. San Miguel Especial
    Magor · 5.0% · sold as Spanish
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Magor, Monmouthshire, South Wales and Samlesbury, Lancashire, 5.0% here.

  7. Carlsberg Expørt
    Northampton · 4.8% · sold as Danish
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Northampton, Northamptonshire, 4.8% here.

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

    Brewed at Northampton, Northamptonshire, 7.5% here.

  9. Carlsberg Danish Pilsner
    Northampton · 3.4% · sold as Danish
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Northampton, Northamptonshire, 3.4% here.

  10. Coors Lager
    Burton upon Trent · 3.4% · sold as American
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire and Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, 3.4% here.

  11. Birra Moretti L'Autentica
    Manchester · 4.6% · sold as Italian
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Manchester, 4.6% here.

  12. Birra Moretti Sale di Mare
    Manchester · 4.8% · sold as Italian
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Manchester, 4.8% here.

  13. Pravha
    Burton upon Trent · 4.0% · sold as Czech
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire and Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, 4.0% here.

  14. Red Stripe
    Manchester · 4.7% · sold as Jamaican
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Manchester, 4.7% here.

  15. Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc
    Wolverhampton · 5.0% · sold as French
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Wolverhampton, West Midlands, 5.0% here.

  16. Kronenbourg 1664
    Wolverhampton · 4.6% · sold as French
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Wolverhampton, West Midlands, 4.6% here.

  17. Sol
    Brewed in Britain · 3.4% · sold as Mexican
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed in Britain, 3.4% here.

  18. Cobra Premium
    Burton upon Trent · 4.5% · sold as Indian
    Brewed here Verified

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

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

    Brewed at Hartlepool, County Durham, 4.5% here.

  20. Mythos
    Northampton · 4.6% · sold as Greek
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Northampton, Northamptonshire, 4.6% here.

  21. Singha
    Faversham · 4.8% · sold as Thai
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Faversham, Kent, 4.8% here.

  22. Skol
    Northampton · 2.8% · sold as Scandinavian
    Brewed here Partly verified

    Brewed at Northampton, Northamptonshire, 2.8% here.

  23. Kirin Ichiban
    Bedford · 4.6% · sold as Japanese
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Bedford, Bedfordshire, 4.6% here.

  24. Birrificio Angelo Poretti 4 Luppoli
    Northampton · 4.8% · sold as Italian
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Northampton, Northamptonshire, 4.8% here.

  25. Foster's
    Manchester · 3.4% · sold as Australian
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Manchester, 3.4% here.

  26. Holsten Pils
    Northampton · 5.0% · sold as German
    Brewed here Verified

    Brewed at Northampton, Northamptonshire, 5.0% here.

  27. 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 3

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

  1. Bavaria Premium
    Origin not established · 5.0% · sold as German
    Unverified

    Where the UK product is brewed is not established.

  2. Miller Genuine Draft
    Origin not established · 4.5% · sold as American
    Unverified

    Where the UK product is brewed is not established.

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

    Where the UK product is brewed is not established.

Other supermarkets: Ocado · Morrisons · Asda · 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]