Super Bock Review: Portugal’s Number One Beer, Tasted

3.8/5
Super Bock is a smooth, malt-forward pale lager that has dominated the Portuguese market for more than three decades. It is a step up in body from most mass-market lagers without losing the easy-drinking character that made it a national favorite.

Super Bock has been brewed since 1927, originally under the Companhia Uniao Fabril Portuense before the company restructured into Unicer in 1977 and later rebranded as Super Bock Group in 2017, now part-owned by Carlsberg. It became Portugal’s best-selling beer in 1992 and has held that position ever since, a fixture on cafe terraces from Porto to the Algarve. If you have visited Portugal, there is a good chance this is the beer you drank most.

Check Availability on Saucey →

Super Bock Review at a Glance

StylePale lager
ABV5.2%
BrewerySuper Bock Group (Unicer)
CountryPortugal
Serving temp3 to 5 C (37 to 41 F)
Where to buy (US)Saucey
Bottle of Super Bock Portuguese lager with red and gold label on a studio background
Bottle of Super Bock Portuguese lager with red and gold label on a studio background

How It Tastes

Super Bock pours a deep gold with a creamy off-white head that holds up better than most lagers in this price bracket. The aroma leans toward bread crust and a touch of honey. On the palate it feels slightly fuller-bodied than a typical Euro pale lager, with a rounded malt sweetness upfront that gives way to a clean, moderately bitter finish. It is not complex, but it has more character than the average supermarket lager, which goes some way to explaining why it has stayed on top in Portugal for so long.

It has just enough malt weight to feel like a real beer rather than fizzy water with a label on it.
Malt
3/5
Hops
2/5
Bitterness
2/5
Body
3/5
Drinkability
4/5
Our tasting scores, 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Pros
  • Fuller malt character than most mainstream lagers
  • Consistent, well-brewed quality
  • Dominant reputation backed by decades of sales
  • Pairs well with grilled fish and seafood, a natural match for Portuguese food
Cons
  • Slightly heavier than some drinkers want in a session lager
  • Not always easy to find fresh stock outside Portugal
  • Standard lager profile if you are looking for something more adventurous
Final score3.8 / 5
Buy It on Saucey →
See how Super Bock stacks up in our guide to the most popular beer in every country, or read the full Best European Beers guide.

FAQs

Is Super Bock a Portuguese beer?

Yes. Super Bock is Portugal’s best-selling beer, brewed by Super Bock Group, and has held the top market position since 1992.

What percentage alcohol is Super Bock?

The classic Super Bock lager is 5.2% ABV.

Who makes Super Bock?

Super Bock is made by Super Bock Group, formerly Unicer, which is part-owned by Carlsberg.

Can you buy Super Bock in the US?

Yes. Super Bock is stocked by select US retailers including Saucey, usually in 6-packs of 12oz bottles.

Dan Smullen Beer is my life profile

Hi, I'm Dan, founder of BeerIsMyLife. I've been an avid homebrewer for over ten years, and beer is my true passion. I've traveled all over the world, visiting breweries, tasting beer, as well as making my own batches. I set up this blog to share that experience with you.