Zubr traces its brewing roots back to 1768 at the Dojlidy Brewery near Bialystok, on the edge of the Bialowieza Forest, home to Europe’s largest population of the European bison, or zubr in Polish, which gives the beer its name and its distinctive bison label. The brewery became part of SABMiller in 2003 and now sits under Kompania Piwowarska, which itself is owned by Asahi Breweries Group. Zubr has held the title of Poland’s most popular beer for years running, a lead confirmed again by its 2026 Zloty Paragon retail award.
Zubr Beer Review at a Glance
| Style | Pale lager |
| ABV | 6.0% |
| Brewery | Kompania Piwowarska (Asahi Breweries Group) |
| Country | Poland |
| Serving temp | 3 to 5 C (37 to 41 F) |
| US availability | Limited, check specialty retailers |
How It Tastes
Zubr pours a rich gold with a decent, lasting head for a mainstream lager. It sits stronger than most Euro pale lagers at 6.0% ABV, and that extra strength shows up as a fuller malt body with a light honeyed sweetness. The aroma carries notes of bread and grain with a mild, floral hop presence in the background. The finish is smooth and only lightly bitter, which makes the higher ABV easy to miss while drinking. It is a comfortable, well-made lager built for long evenings rather than quick refreshment.
At 6 percent it drinks dangerously close to a standard lager, which is either its best trick or its biggest risk.
- Fuller malt body than most mainstream lagers
- Long, genuine brewing history dating to 1768
- Smooth finish that hides its above-average strength
- Poland’s consistent number one beer for years running
- Higher ABV than expected for a lager, worth pacing yourself
- Not widely stocked in the US
- Standard lager profile without much hop complexity
Zubr is Poland’s number one beer but is not sold through US delivery apps. Zywiec is a comparable US-available Polish lager.
FAQs
What does Zubr mean?
Zubr is the Polish word for the European bison, or wisent, the animal shown on the can and a nod to the Bialowieza Forest near the brewery.
How strong is Zubr beer?
Zubr is 6.0% ABV, stronger than most standard European pale lagers, which typically sit around 4.5 to 5.2%.
Where is Zubr brewed?
Zubr is brewed at the Dojlidy Brewery near Bialystok, Poland, a site with brewing history dating back to 1768.
Can you buy Zubr in the US?
Availability is limited but it does show up at select specialty retailers and through importers who carry Polish beers, including some listings at Canada’s LCBO for readers north of the border.
