Lithuanian beer is no worse than Czech beer, and the brands produced are known all over the world. The first mentions date back to the XNUMXth century, the oldest brewery listed below dates back to the XNUMXth century. Beer has been and is an important part of Latvian culture.
In 1940, the government of the USSR banned the brewing of “homemade” beer, but after the collapse of the Land of Soviets, production recovered. Almost 200 breweries brought forgotten technologies back to life.
On the territory of modern Latvia, you can find almost any known style of beer, but local varieties are also produced. These include smoky beer, ice ale, and Baltic porter.
Lighthouse
The brewery appeared in 1784 in the city of Klaipeda. Its creators are the merchant family Raikene. Švyturys (Švitrus) she was named in 1944. Before her, no one in Lithuania dealt with pasteurized beer.
In 1995, they came up with the recipe for Švyturys Extra, three years later it already received the status of “Product of the Year” in its homeland. The lightest in the line, soft and lively. Another popular look is Švyturys Baltijos in Märzen style. The classic recipe appeared back in the 1960s. Dark beer with a deep sweet taste and caramel aftertaste.
The drink matures in tanks located horizontally as well. Products can be purchased in many countries, including Canada, the United States, Israel and others. In 2001, the plant was merged with Utenos alus into JSC Švyturys-Utenos alus. Both are owned by the Carlsberg Group.
Utena beer
Built in Utena in 1970. This is one of the cleanest regions in Lithuania. The brewery is trying to support its region and has even developed an environmental program called the Land of Lakes. In addition, the production uses clean water from its own well.
In 1977, the first batch of Žigulinis (Zhigulevskoye) beer, widely distributed in the USSR, was released.
In 1980, the company supplied its soft drinks to the Moscow Olympics.
As of 2020, Utenos alus is one of the largest breweries in the Carlsberg Group, its products are exported to more than 20 countries, including Russia.
Kalnapilis
The enterprise appeared in 1902 in the city of Panevezys. It was founded by a German, and the original name sounded like Bergschlösschen, which means “a small castle on a mountain” in German. The location of the plant on a hill affected.
In 1935 it was transformed into a joint stock company and the name was translated into Lithuanian.
In 1997, the brewery became the leader in the Lithuanian beer market and released the first product advertisement on TV.
In 2020, it is considered one of the largest manufacturers, it owns a quarter of the local market. The brand is owned by Royal Unibrew.
Of the numerous assortment, Kalnapilis Original, 5% is popular. A typical representative of a lager with a fresh taste and a long pleasant aftertaste. Its unfiltered wheat Kalnapilis White Select, 5% is delicate and has no sour aftertaste.
Tauras
The brewery originally belonged to the Russian Empire because it was built in Vilnius in 1860. The production developed rapidly, in the XNUMXth century it underwent modernization and began to produce beer under the Chopin brand. The process of brewing a foamy drink started a diesel engine, which at that time was something new in European countries.
In 2001, it became part of the Taurus subsidiary. In 2006, brewing was moved to Panevezys.
One of the most popular drinks is light Tauras Pilsneris, 4,6%. It has a malty flavor with a slight bitterness. The aroma is grassy with malt and sourness. Of the dark ones, Tauras Bavariškas, 6,5%, can be noted. Its aroma reveals caramel shades with a hint of fruit. The taste is quite malty with hop bitterness towards the end.
Province
The brewery was built on the outskirts of Siauliai in 1665. It was the estate of the royal court. Her drinks were on the tables of the richest houses in Lithuania.
In the XNUMXth century, deliveries began across the continent due to its favorable location on trade routes.
In the XNUMXth century, the consumption of the foamy drink fell somewhat, on average, a liter per year per Lithuanian, but production did not stop because of this, and the products were successfully exported.
In our time, the company has preserved the traditions of brewing. It delivers to America, Africa and Europe.
The most popular product is the dark side of Gubernija Kunigaiksciu, 7%. The recipe was developed back in 1923-1926, and even then the beer was awarded medals, according to archival records. It has a balanced malt taste. The aroma has creamy, bready and caramel notes.
Relevance: 30.07.2020
Tags: Beer, Cider, Ale, Beer brands