Zhigulevske beer: history, overview, types, interesting facts
The legendary Soviet light beer, which at its peak was produced at more than 700 breweries, dates back to the 1930s.
Today, the famous drink is produced by different breweries in different countries, and the modern assortment includes completely different varieties: from traditional Samara, with a strength of 4.5%, to craft, unfiltered and special high-strength.
History of the legend
The official version states that the technology for the production of Soviet beer was developed by specialists of the relevant research institute in 1935. After 3 years, the recipe of Zhyhulivske became part of the standards that clearly defined the characteristics of the drink: the type of fermentation is bottom, the density is not less than 11%, the alcohol content is not less than 2.8% (by weight), the inclusion of unsweetened raw materials is up to 15%...
However, alternative sources claim that the prototypes of the famous lager appeared much earlier - at the end of the XIX century.
As for the name, it is not so clear here either. Legends say that long before the official registration, the general term "Zhigulevskoye" was used to refer to all foam products produced by the Samara plant of the same name.
One of the oldest varieties, known since 1881, called "Vienna", attracted the attention of the party leadership represented by Anastas Mikoyan, who demanded that the overly "bourgeois" name be changed to something closer to the Soviet citizen. Without hesitation, the brewery's specialists named the variety "Zhyhulivske".
According to another version, the legendary name was given to a Samara product that won an all-Union brewing competition.
One way or another, by the middle of the XX century, the drink had become a national drink, produced at hundreds of breweries, and accounted for about 80% of all beer consumed in the USSR. Therefore, an attempt by Samara brewers to appropriate the legendary trademark after the collapse of the Soviet Union was unsuccessful.
This beer, which has been a favorite of many generations, is still brewed in different regions of Russia, as well as in Belarus, Ukraine, and the Baltic states. Most producers try to stick to classic Soviet technology.
Overview of types
It is not possible to list all types of the famous lager. So let's focus on the main ones:
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Russian Zhigulevskoye
Made according to the classic recipe. Ingredients: barley, water, malt and hops.
Strength: 4-4,7%. Density: 10-11%. Supplied in glass, kegs, plastic.
Famous manufacturers: JSC Zhigulevskoye Beer (Samara), JSC Vyatich (Kirov), PE Varnitsa (Smolensk region), OJSC Balakovsky Brewery, LLC Baltika Brewing Company, SAN InBev, PE Tryokhsosensky (Ulyanovsk), JSC MPBK Ochakovo (Moscow).
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Ukrainian Zhyhulivske
Strength: 4-4,7%.
Popular brands: "Zhyhulivske Zaporizhzhya Bottling (Carlsberg Ukraine), Zhyhulivske and Zhyhulivske Export (Obolon PJSC), Zhyhulivske (Umanpyvo), Zhyhulivske light (RIVNIEN LTD).
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Belarusian Zhigulevskoye
Strength: 5,2%. Density: 11%.
It has a mild flavor with a slight acidity, dense but unstable foam, and a sweetish aftertaste.
Produced by the Leeds brewery since 1940.
Interesting facts
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Mentions of Zhyhulivske can be found in the texts of many writers and musicians: Sergei Lukyanenko, Ivan Bunin, Sergei Antonov, Vladimir Vysotsky.
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The taste of the first Zhigulevskoye was less bitter than its modern counterparts and featured brighter tones of hops and malt.
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Repeated attempts to promote the national brand outside the CIS have failed.
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In the 1980s, one of the employees of the Research Institute of Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beverages noted that "the best samples of Zhigulevske are brewed in Kirov.".
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The cost of "people's beer" in the USSR ranged from 35 to 50 kopecks depending on the region.
Update: 22.07.2019
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale