Ursus Premium 4Pk Cans

Ursus Premium 4Pk Cans is a Romanian pale lager brewed with 100% malt and two hop varieties, packaged in a convenient 4-pack of cans at 5% ABV. Brewed at one of Romania's oldest breweries — founded in Cluj in 1878 — Ursus Premium earned a Monde Selection Silver Medal in 2005 and holds longstanding recognition as Romania's most iconic lager.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Cluj-Napoca, Romania  |  Style: Pale Blond Lager  |  Brewery: Ursus Breweries S.A.

Production & Heritage

Ursus Breweries traces its roots to 1878 in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania, making it one of Romania's longest-running brewing operations. Originally part of SABMiller, the brewery has been owned by Japan's Asahi Group since 2016. Ursus Premium is a pasteurized blond lager built on a straightforward recipe of water, malt, hops, and yeast — distinguished from many mainstream European lagers by its commitment to 100% malt rather than adjunct grains, combined with two distinct hop varieties for balanced bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a musky, cereal-forward malt character. Faint grassy and herbal notes follow, along with subtle hints of dried oregano and light hop presence.

Taste: The entry is crisp and moderately carbonated, with grainy pale malt and a slight sweetness on the front palate. Mid-palate brings bread-like cereal flavors with a dry pivot, leading to an earthy, herbal bitterness that defines the finish of each sip.

Finish: Dry and moderately bitter with a clean, slightly lingering grain character. The carbonation remains lively through the close, keeping the overall impression refreshing and straightforward.

How to Drink Ursus Premium

Serve well chilled at 3–5°C (37–41°F) directly from the can or poured into a pilsner glass to appreciate the pale golden color and frothy white head. Its clean, dry profile also works in simple beer cocktails: a Shandy (with lemonade) plays off its grainy sweetness for a summer refresher; a Michelada benefits from the lager's dry bitterness against lime and hot sauce; and a Boilermaker paired alongside a Romanian țuică or plum brandy creates an authentic Eastern European combination.

Best For

• Casual outdoor gatherings and barbecues where a crisp, easy-drinking lager fits the setting
• Introducing friends to Romanian beer culture with an accessible, well-known brand
• Pairing with grilled meats and traditional Eastern European cuisine
• Stocking a refrigerator with a dependable, imported European lager for everyday enjoyment

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ursus Premium taste like? Ursus Premium is a crisp, dry blond lager with prominent cereal and bread-like malt flavors, moderate carbonation, and an earthy hop bitterness on the finish. It drinks clean and straightforward with a slightly grainy sweetness on the mid-palate.

How does Ursus Premium compare to Ciuc? Both are mainstream Romanian lagers, but community reviewers often note that Ciuc has slightly more body and liveliness on the palate. Ursus Premium leans drier and more grain-forward, while Ciuc tends toward a marginally fuller mouthfeel.

Is Ursus Premium good for casual drinking? Yes — its 5% ABV, high carbonation, and clean malt profile make it a sessionable lager designed for easy, everyday consumption rather than contemplative sipping.

Where is Ursus Premium made? Ursus Premium is brewed by Ursus Breweries S.A. in Cluj-Napoca, located in the Transylvania region of Romania. The brewery was founded in 1878 and is currently owned by Japan's Asahi Group.

What foods pair well with Ursus Premium? Grilled sausages and mititei (Romanian skinless sausages) match the lager's dry, malty character. Sarmale (cabbage rolls) complement its earthy bitterness. Pizza and lighter pasta dishes work well with the crisp carbonation. Sharp cheeses like telemea balance the grain sweetness, and fried fish benefits from the beer's cleansing fizz.

What sizes does Ursus Premium come in? This product is sold as a 4-pack of cans; Ursus Premium is also commonly available in single cans and bottles in various formats depending on the market.

Is Ursus Premium worth the price? Ursus Premium positions as an entry-level imported European lager, priced competitively against other mainstream continental brands. Its 100% malt recipe and historic Romanian pedigree offer genuine character at an accessible price tier.

Why Ursus Premium?

Few mainstream lagers can claim an unbroken brewing heritage stretching back to 1878, and Ursus Premium carries that distinction as Cluj-Napoca's flagship beer. The 100% malt recipe — without the corn or rice adjuncts common in many mass-market lagers — gives it a more defined cereal backbone than typical competitors in this price range. Its Monde Selection Silver Medal (2005) and widespread recognition across Romania underscore a consistency that has survived multiple ownership changes. For drinkers seeking an honest, imported European pale lager with genuine provenance, the 4-pack format makes Ursus Premium an easy entry point.