Dreher Classic

This says enough (sourced):

It's tough being Hungarian. You like tourists, but they keep showing up in armored tank divisions. The last time you were part of an empire, you played second fiddle to a country that's best known for being the setting of a Julie Andrews movie, and the last time your people actually intimidated anyone, your leader was a psycho named Attila. Plus, smart-asses everywhere think your countrymen are nothing but a bunch of swarthy Gypsies, prone to stealing, palm-reading and high-wire circus tricks. And, you're better known for wine then beer, much like the French. So, when you're sitting in your home, dwelling on your inferiority complex, take heart: Hungarians can indeed brew a good beer. While it's not their bread and butter, it's done with the care and quality that is more often seen across the border in the Czech Republic. If lounging in a spa in Budapest, or chilling along the Danube, you can do so with a quality Hungarian beer, Dreher. It's no Czechvar, but when in Hungary, do as the (mad) Hungarians.

Arany Aszok

Yes, this one was a 'super market' pickup! Arany Aszok is a rather nasty and cheap, chemical tasting lager which strangely tastes a lot like Bergenbier! I am going to be bold and assume that it is brewed near the Romanian border? I really do not have much to say about it as it was pretty plain and tasted pretty bad, although it is probably a few notches above the Anna house lager! They do have a wacky website though (http://www.aranyaszok.hu/) and I did manage to find some interesting videos! Enjoy.

Paulaner Premium Pils

Not a supermarket pickup, but a beverage found in a homely Hungarian restaurant: Paulaner Premium Pils was an ideal companion to the pork knuckle I ordered for dinner. The only problem was that they didn't serve me up Pork Knuckle, but bits of sliced pork. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised as it wasn't the first, or last time I got ripped off on the weekend!

Paulaner Pils is what is generally known as a Bavarian Pilsener. The style differes from Bohemium Pilsner in that it is driven more by a malty and low hop profile rather than a bitter, fragrantly hopped profile. All in all it is a cracking beer and did manage to go well with my pork, potato and oil meal! In terms of the style it can be considered a pretty ordinary example and is at the mass production end of the brewing scale, but with things being the way they are it is an excellent lager none the less. Anyhow the mission has been put forward, I need to consume some knuckle!

Dreher Bak

As I often do, I went to a dodgy Hungarian supermarket and bought a bunch of local beers. the first cab off the rank was Dreher Bak (7.3% abv) which is a rich dark dunkel bock style beer. I have to say that this beer was delicious! It is a deep brown colour with delicate chocolate and coffee notes, minimal bitterness and a solid roast character. Breweries take note - this is how dark lager is supposed to taste!

The upside of drinking such a strong beer has also got to be the warming effects of the alcohol which surely did help to dry me out after the terrible weather. The Hungarians are a little behind and I couldnt find a kooky website to go with this one, but I urge you all to seek it out.