- Founded
- 1873
- Brewed in
- Bremen, Germany
- Owner
- AB InBev
- Known for
- Pilsner, Alcohol-free
- Try first
- Beck’s Pilsener
- In Australia
- Stocked by most big Australian bottle shop chains, such as Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Liquorland.
- Beer types
- Pilsner
- Official site
- becks.com
Beck’s, with its green bottle and red key logo, is probably the most recognisable German beer in the world. It has been an export beer from the very start, and in Australia it is the German lager you’ll find in almost any bottle shop.
The story of Beck’s
Beck’s was founded in 1873 in Bremen, the old Hanseatic port city in northern Germany, by brewer Heinrich Beck and his business partners. Bremen’s harbour made it easy to ship beer abroad, and Beck’s won early international awards that helped it build a name overseas.
The key on the label comes from Bremen’s coat of arms. Today Beck’s is owned by AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer, and remains one of Germany’s top-selling export beers.
Beck’s beers to try
- Beck’s Pilsener (about 5%): The flagship. Pale, crisp and bitter in the northern German style.
- Beck’s Blue (alcohol-free): One of the most widely sold alcohol-free beers in Australia. More options are in our alcohol-free German beers guide.
What does Beck’s taste like?
Compared with Bavarian lagers such as Paulaner or Löwenbräu, Beck’s is drier and more bitter, with a clean, slightly grassy hop finish. It is brewed to the German Purity Law using only water, malted barley, hops and yeast. Serve it well chilled in a tall pilsner glass.
Food pairing: Fish and chips, salt and pepper squid, sausages and anything off the barbecue. The bitterness also cuts through fried food and spicy dishes.
Where to buy Beck’s in Australia
Beck’s is about as easy to buy as a German beer gets:
- Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor sell bottles, cans and slabs
- Most pubs and bars with an imported range have it in the fridge
German beer costs more than local beer here. Our German beer prices guide uses Beck’s as an example and explains why. For more northern German pilsners, try Jever, Warsteiner and Krombacher.
Beck’s FAQs
Is Beck’s a German beer?
Yes. Beck’s was founded in Bremen in northern Germany in 1873 and is still brewed there for Germany and much of the world. It has been owned by the global brewer AB InBev since 2002, and some markets are supplied from breweries outside Germany, so check the label if you want the Bremen-brewed version.
Where can I buy Beck’s in Australia?
Beck’s is sold at most Australian bottle shops, including Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Liquorland, in bottles, cans and cases. Beck’s Blue, the alcohol-free version, is also widely available.
How much is a case of Beck’s in Australia?
Beck’s costs more than local beer because it is imported and sold as a premium lager. Prices change with specials, so compare the big chains and check our German beer prices guide for typical ranges.
What does Beck’s taste like?
Beck’s is a classic northern German pilsner: pale gold, crisp and dry, with a clean malt base and a firm, grassy hop bitterness. It is lighter and drier than Bavarian lagers.
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