Lithuanian beer: an overview of 5 brands

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 XI century, the oldest brewery of the ones below dates back to the XVI century. Beer has always been an important part of Latvian culture.

In 1940, the USSR government banned the brewing of "homebrew" beer, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union, production resumed. Almost 200 breweries brought back forgotten technologies to life.

In modern Latvia, you can find almost any well-known style of beer, but local varieties are also produced. They include smoky beer, ice ale and Baltic porter.

Švyturys

The brewery was founded in 1784 in the city of Klaipeda. Its creators are the Raikene merchant family. It was named Švyturys in 1944. Before it, no one in Lithuania had ever brewed pasteurized beer.

In 1995, the recipe for Švyturys Extra was invented, and three years later it was awarded the status of "product of the year" in its home country. The lightest in the line, soft and lively. Another popular type is Švyturys Baltijos in the merzen style. The classic recipe appeared in the 1960s. Dark beer with a deep sweet flavor and caramel aftertaste.

The drink ripens in tanks located, in particular, horizontally. The products are available in many countries, including Canada, the USA, Israel and others. In 2001, the brewery was merged with Utenos alus to form Švyturys-Utenos alus JSC. Both are owned by the Carlsberg Group.

Utenos alus

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 (Zhigulivske) beer, widely distributed in the USSR, was produced.

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, with products exported to more than 20 countries, including Russia.

Kalnapilis

The company was founded in 1902 in the town of Panevezys. It was founded by a German, and the original name was Bergschlösschen, which means "small castle on the mountain". The location of the plant on a hill had an impact.

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 producers, owning a quarter of the local market. The rights to the brand are owned by Royal Unibrew.

Kalnapilis Original, 5%, is the most popular of the numerous varieties. A typical representative of lager with a fresh taste and a long pleasant aftertaste. Its unfiltered wheat Kalnapilis White Select, 5% is characterized by delicacy and has no sour aftertaste.

Tauras

The brewery originally belonged to the Russian Empire, as it was built in Vilnius in 1860. Production developed rapidly, in the XX century it underwent modernization and began to produce beer under the Chopin brand. The process of brewing the frothy drink was started by a diesel engine, which was something new in European countries at that time.

In 2001, it became a subsidiary of Taurus. In 2006, brewing was moved to Panevezys.

One of the most popular drinks is the light Tauras Pilsneris, 4.6%. Has a malt flavor with a slight bitterness. Grassy flavor with malt and sourness. Among the darker ones, we can note Tauras Bavariškas, 6.5%. Its aroma reveals caramel shades with a hint of fruit. The taste is quite malty with hop bitterness at the end.

Gubernija

The brewery was built on the outskirts of Siauliai in 1665. It was an estate of the royal court. Its drinks were on the tables of the richest houses in Lithuania.

In the XIX century, deliveries began throughout the continent due to its favorable location near trade routes.

In the XX century, the consumption of the foamy drink fell slightly, with an average of one liter per Lithuanian per year, but production did not stop because of this, and the products were successfully exported.

Nowadays, the company has preserved the traditions of brewing. It supplies to America, Africa and Europe.

The most popular product is the dark side 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 flavor. Creamy, bread and caramel notes in the aroma.

Update: 30.07.2020

Category: Beer, Cider, Ale