Finding the brewing location
The country of origin is required on beer labels, but the specific brewing location often isn't. Here's how to find out where your beer was actually made.
What labels must show
EU law requires:
- The name and address of the food business operator (producer, packer, or importer)
- Country of origin (in most cases)
However, the address shown might be a head office, not the brewing facility. A beer might list a London address while being brewed in Belgium.
What to look for
Indicators of brewing location
- "Brewed at" or "Brewed in" followed by a location
- A brewery name with a physical address
- Batch codes that include facility identifiers
- Protected geographical indications (e.g., "Trappist", regional designations)
Common misleading patterns
Location-themed branding
A beer with German-sounding name, German flag imagery, and "German-style lager" text might be brewed anywhere. Unless it says "brewed in Germany", don't assume.
Historic brewery claims
"Established 1847" or similar claims refer to the brand's history, not necessarily continuous production at the original site. The current production might be elsewhere entirely.
Corporate address vs brewing address
The required address might be a corporate headquarters, not the brewery. Look specifically for brewing location information, not just any address.
Note
This page is a draft. More detailed guidance on finding brewing location information will be added.