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{{Short description|Overview of the beer in Estonia}}
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[[File:Estonian beers.jpg|thumb|270px|Estonian beers from Saku and A. Le Coq]]
[[File:Estonian beers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Estonian beers from [[Saku Brewery|Saku]] (second from left) and [[A. Le Coq]] (others)]]
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Beer has been brewed in Estonia for over a thousand years. The first written reference to beer in what is now Estonia dates to 1284.<ref>[http://allaboutbeer.com/article/baltic-porters/ All About Beer. ''BALTIC PORTERS.'']</ref> During the Soviet era [[Zhigulevskoye|Žiguli beer]] was brewed in Estonia and many other locations in the [[Soviet Union]]. It was sometimes the only beer available in Estonia.<ref>[http://www.beerguide.ee/viru.html Beerguide.ee. ''VIRU ÕLU.''] (in Estonian)</ref>
[[File:Glass of Pihtla taluõlu beer.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|A glass of ''Pihtla koduõlu'']]
[[File:Põhjala Beery Christmas 2019.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|Põhjala Beery Christmas 2019]]
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Beer ([[Estonian language|Estonian]]: ''Õlu'') has been brewed in [[Estonia]] for over a thousand years. The first written reference to beer in what is now Estonia dates to 1284.<ref>[http://allaboutbeer.com/article/baltic-porters/ All About Beer. ''BALTIC PORTERS.'']</ref> In Estonian, beers are often described as ''hele'' (pale) or ''tume'' (dark).<ref>[http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-000037.html Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter. ''Estonia free to revive its own brewing culture.'']</ref>


==Major breweries==
==Major breweries==
The Estonian beer market is dominated by [[Saku Brewery|Saku]] and [[A. Le Coq]],<ref>[https://news.err.ee/683149/roughly-one-third-of-all-alcohol-consumed-in-estonia-bought-in-latvia ERR News. ''Roughly one third of all alcohol consumed in Estonia bought in Latvia.'']</ref> who in 2013 together possessed over 80 percent of market share.<ref name=Postimees>[https://news.postimees.ee/1295960/the-duelling-beer-biggies Postimees News. ''The duelling beer biggies.'']</ref> Saku was founded in 1820 in the town of [[Saku, Estonia|Saku]] near the capital, [[Tallinn]] and is owned by [[Carlsberg Group]].<ref>[https://www.saku.ee/et/international/#joogid/en Saku Õlletehas.]</ref> A. Le Coq was founded in 1807 in the city of [[Tartu]] and is currently owned by the Finnish company [[Olvi]].<ref>[https://www.alecoq.ee/en/a-le-coq/about-us/ A. Le Coq. ''About Us.'']</ref> Saku is traditionally stronger in north and west Estonia, while A. Le Coq has its heartland in the south and east.<ref name= Postimees />
The Estonian beer market is dominated by [[Saku Brewery|Saku]] and [[A. Le Coq]],<ref name=err>[https://news.err.ee/683149/roughly-one-third-of-all-alcohol-consumed-in-estonia-bought-in-latvia ERR News. ''Roughly one third of all alcohol consumed in Estonia bought in Latvia.'']</ref> who in 2022 together possessed over 90 percent of market share.<ref>[https://news.postimees.ee/7529442/suspicions-confirmed-tanker-sells-lithuanian-beer-for-estonian-production Suspicions confirmed: Tanker sells Lithuanian beer for Estonian production], ''Postimees news'' 23 May 2022. Accessed on 17 June 2022.</ref> Saku was founded in 1820 in the town of [[Saku, Estonia|Saku]] near [[Tallinn]] and is owned by [[Carlsberg Group]].<ref name=saku>[https://www.saku.ee/et/international/#joogid/en Saku Õlletehas.]</ref> [[Tartu|Tartu's]] A. Le Coq was founded in 1807 and is currently owned by the Finnish company [[Olvi]].<ref name=alecoq>[https://www.alecoq.ee/en/a-le-coq/about-us/ A. Le Coq. ''About Us.'']</ref> Saku is traditionally more popular in north and west Estonia, while A. Le Coq has its heartland in the south and east.<ref>[https://news.postimees.ee/1295960/the-duelling-beer-biggies Postimees News. ''The duelling beer biggies.'']</ref>

A. Le Coq states that it is the biggest drinks manufacturer in Estonia,<ref name=alecoq /> while Saku states that its ''Saku Originaal'' is Estonia's most popular beer brand.<ref name=saku /> Both produce non-alcoholic drinks as well as beer and [[mixed drink]]s.


Both Saku and A. Le Coq operate brewery museums at their respective breweries.<ref>[https://www.visitestonia.com/en/saku-brewhouse-and-museum-of-beer Visit Estonia. ''Saku Brewhouse and Museum of Beer.'']</ref><ref>[https://www.visitestonia.com/en/a-le-coq-beer-museum Visit Estonia. ''A. Le Coq Beer Museum.'']</ref>
Both Saku and A. Le Coq operate brewery museums at their respective breweries.<ref>[https://www.visitestonia.com/en/saku-brewhouse-and-museum-of-beer Visit Estonia. ''Saku Brewhouse and Museum of Beer.'']</ref><ref>[https://www.visitestonia.com/en/a-le-coq-beer-museum Visit Estonia. ''A. Le Coq Beer Museum.'']</ref>


Estonia's third-largest brewery is located in [[Haljala]] in [[Lääne-Viru County]]. It housed [[Viru Brewery]] until 2020 and is now the main production site of Finland's [[Pyynikin Brewing Company]].<ref>[https://yle.fi/news/3-11807491 Pyynikin Brewing to reduce Tampere production.] ''YLE News.'' Retrieved 2 December 2021.</ref>
The Estonian Breweries Association (''Eesti Õlletootjate Liit'') represents the interests of the two large breweries, along with the third largest producer, [[Viru Õlu]].<ref>[http://www.eestiolu.ee/liikmed-ja-juhtimine/ Eesti Õlletootjate Liit.] (in Estonian)</ref><ref>[https://xn--lu-bka.ee/viru-%C3%B5lu Õlu.ee. ''Viru Õlu.''] (in Estonian)</ref>


The Estonian Breweries Association (''Eesti Õlletootjate Liit'') represents the interests of the two largest breweries.<ref>[http://www.eestiolu.ee/liikmed-ja-juhtimine/ Eesti Õlletootjate Liit.] (in Estonian)</ref> The Association successfully lobbied the Estonian government into reversing rises in alcohol [[excise|excise duty]] in 2019. This had led to a reduction in cross-border beer sales to Finland, and an increase of sales in Latvia to Estonians.<ref name=err /><ref>[https://news.err.ee/967207/beer-producers-july-beer-sales-more-than-doubled-on-northern-border ERR News. ''Beer producers: July beer sales more than doubled on northern border.'']</ref>
==Taluõlu==

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{{See also|Sahti}}
The production of once popular former Soviet [[Zhigulevskoye|Žiguli (Zhigulevskoye)]] beer was discontinued in Estonia by the end of 20th century.<ref>[http://www.beerguide.ee/viru.html Beerguide.ee. ''VIRU ÕLU.''] (in Estonian)</ref>
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Estonia has a tradition of home-brewed farm beers (''taluõlu'') which are often flavoured with juniper. Unlike many beers, taluõlu is not boiled during the production process and is served with only natural carbonation.<ref>[https://www.beeradvocate.com/articles/14621/baltic-brewing-in-estonia-a-farmhouse-tradition-survives/ Beer Advocate. ''Baltic Brewing: In Estonia, a Farmhouse Tradition Survives.'']</ref>

==Koduõlu==
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{{See also|Farmhouse ale|Sahti}}
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Estonia has a tradition of home-brewed beers (''koduõlu'') and farm beers (''taluõlu'') which survives mainly on the [[West Estonian archipelago|West Estonian islands]]. They are often flavoured with [[juniper]] and other plants such as [[Myrica gale|sweet gale]], also known as bog-myrtle.<ref>[http://www.garshol.priv.no/blog/386.html Larsblog. ''Brewing koduõlu on Hiiumaa.'']</ref> Unlike many beers, koduõlu is not boiled during the production process and is served with only natural carbonation.<ref>[https://www.beeradvocate.com/articles/14621/baltic-brewing-in-estonia-a-farmhouse-tradition-survives/ Beer Advocate. ''Baltic Brewing: In Estonia, a Farmhouse Tradition Survives.'']</ref> Pihtla farmhouse brewery on the island of [[Saaremaa]] was originally established in 1907 and describes its beers as "cloudy, yeasty and unpredictable."<ref>[http://pihtlapruul.ee/index.php/pihtlabeer/ Pihtla õlu. ''Traditional Saaremaa beer.'']</ref>


==Craft beer==
==Craft beer==
[[Craft beer]] came late to Estonia, but that began to change in 2012 when [[Mikkeller]] brewed a custom beer for the Estonian market, called Baltic Frontier. Then one local brewer in particular, [[Põhjala Brewery|Põhjala]], led the way for other Estonian microbrewers such as Lehe, Koeru and Õllenaut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/113322/locally-produced-craft-beer-trend-out-of-the-bottle|title=Locally produced craft beer trend out of the bottle|date=August 6, 2014|website=ERR}}</ref> By 2017 there were nearly 30 microbreweries on the Estonian market, in a country with a population of only 1.2 million. Since 2015 Põhjala Brewery has organised an annual craft beer festival called "Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beer52.com/ferment/article/118/tallincalling|title=Tallinn Calling|website=www.beer52.com}}</ref>
[[Craft beer]] came late to Estonia, but that began to change in 2012 when [[Mikkeller]] brewed a custom beer for the Estonian market, called Baltic Frontier. Then one local brewer in particular, [[Põhjala Brewery|Põhjala]], led the way for other Estonian microbrewers such as Lehe, Koeru and Õllenaut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/113322/locally-produced-craft-beer-trend-out-of-the-bottle|title=Locally produced craft beer trend out of the bottle|date=August 6, 2014|website=ERR}}</ref> By 2017 there were nearly 30 microbreweries on the Estonian market, in a country with a population of only 1.2 million.<ref name=beer52 /> In 2021, one of the country's larger craft breweries, [[Tanker Brewery|Tanker]], was acquired by the Danish company [[Royal Unibrew]].<ref>Kähkönen, Heikki: [https://viisitahtea.com/juoma/viron-pienpanimoiden-karkeen-kuuluva-tanker-siirtyy-tanskalaisen-olutjatin-omistukseen/ Viron pienpanimoiden kärkeen kuuluva Tanker siirtyy tanskalaisen olutjätin omistukseen], ''Viisi Tähteä'' 13 September 2021. Accessed on 28 November 2021.</ref>

Estonian craft brewers are favoured by a system of [[progressive beer duty]]. Producers brewing up to 300,000 litres a year pay just half of ordinary [[excise|excise duty]] rates.<ref name=beer52 />

Since 2015 Põhjala Brewery has organised an annual craft beer festival called "Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend".<ref name=beer52>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beer52.com/ferment/article/118/tallincalling|title=Tallinn Calling|website=www.beer52.com|access-date=2020-04-23|archive-date=2019-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142211/https://www.beer52.com/ferment/article/118/tallincalling|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Estonian Association of Small Brewers (''Eesti Väikepruulijate Liit'') was established in 2013 with the aim of "developing the Estonian tradition of handcrafted beer, wine and cider and furthering the Estonian alcohol culture by providing quality products and educating the consumer."<ref>[https://evpl.ee/#ylevaade Eesti Väikepruulijate Liit. ''Liidust.''] (in Estonian)</ref>


==Gallery of Estonian breweries==
==Gallery of Estonian breweries==
<gallery>
<gallery mode=packed widths="250px" heights="120px">
File:Saku Brewery.JPG|Saku Brewery
File:Saku Brewery.JPG|{{center|Saku Brewery, in [[Saku, Estonia|Saku]]}}
File:A Le Coq.jpg|A. Le Coq Brewery
File:A Le Coq (cropped).jpg|{{center|A. Le Coq Brewery in [[Tartu]]}}
File:A. Le Coqi Õllemuuseumi sisevaade.jpg|A. Le Coq's beer museum
File:A. Le Coqi Õllemuuseumi sisevaade.jpg|{{center|A. Le Coq's beer museum}}
File:Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room 5 - Renee Altrov.jpg|Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room
File:Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room 5 - Renee Altrov.jpg|{{center|Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room, [[Tallinn]]}}
File:Beer House brewery.jpg|"Beer House" brewpub
File:Beer House brewery.jpg|{{center|"Beer House" brewpub, Tallinn}}
File:Haljala alev 25.05.09 (cropped).jpg|{{center|Pyynikin's [[Haljala]] brewery}}
</gallery>
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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[[Category:Beer in Estonia]]
{{Beers of the world|state=collapsed}}
{{Beers of the world|state=collapsed}}
{{Estonia topics|state=autocollapse}}
{{Estonia topics|state=autocollapse}}

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[[Category:Beer in Estonia| ]]

Latest revision as of 09:19, 2 October 2023

Estonian beers from Saku (second from left) and A. Le Coq (others)
A glass of Pihtla koduõlu
Põhjala Beery Christmas 2019

Beer (Estonian: Õlu) has been brewed in Estonia for over a thousand years. The first written reference to beer in what is now Estonia dates to 1284.[1] In Estonian, beers are often described as hele (pale) or tume (dark).[2]

Major breweries[edit]

The Estonian beer market is dominated by Saku and A. Le Coq,[3] who in 2022 together possessed over 90 percent of market share.[4] Saku was founded in 1820 in the town of Saku near Tallinn and is owned by Carlsberg Group.[5] Tartu's A. Le Coq was founded in 1807 and is currently owned by the Finnish company Olvi.[6] Saku is traditionally more popular in north and west Estonia, while A. Le Coq has its heartland in the south and east.[7]

A. Le Coq states that it is the biggest drinks manufacturer in Estonia,[6] while Saku states that its Saku Originaal is Estonia's most popular beer brand.[5] Both produce non-alcoholic drinks as well as beer and mixed drinks.

Both Saku and A. Le Coq operate brewery museums at their respective breweries.[8][9]

Estonia's third-largest brewery is located in Haljala in Lääne-Viru County. It housed Viru Brewery until 2020 and is now the main production site of Finland's Pyynikin Brewing Company.[10]

The Estonian Breweries Association (Eesti Õlletootjate Liit) represents the interests of the two largest breweries.[11] The Association successfully lobbied the Estonian government into reversing rises in alcohol excise duty in 2019. This had led to a reduction in cross-border beer sales to Finland, and an increase of sales in Latvia to Estonians.[3][12]

The production of once popular former Soviet Žiguli (Zhigulevskoye) beer was discontinued in Estonia by the end of 20th century.[13]

Koduõlu[edit]

See also: Farmhouse ale and Sahti

Estonia has a tradition of home-brewed beers (koduõlu) and farm beers (taluõlu) which survives mainly on the West Estonian islands. They are often flavoured with juniper and other plants such as sweet gale, also known as bog-myrtle.[14] Unlike many beers, koduõlu is not boiled during the production process and is served with only natural carbonation.[15] Pihtla farmhouse brewery on the island of Saaremaa was originally established in 1907 and describes its beers as "cloudy, yeasty and unpredictable."[16]

Craft beer[edit]

Craft beer came late to Estonia, but that began to change in 2012 when Mikkeller brewed a custom beer for the Estonian market, called Baltic Frontier. Then one local brewer in particular, Põhjala, led the way for other Estonian microbrewers such as Lehe, Koeru and Õllenaut.[17] By 2017 there were nearly 30 microbreweries on the Estonian market, in a country with a population of only 1.2 million.[18] In 2021, one of the country's larger craft breweries, Tanker, was acquired by the Danish company Royal Unibrew.[19]

Estonian craft brewers are favoured by a system of progressive beer duty. Producers brewing up to 300,000 litres a year pay just half of ordinary excise duty rates.[18]

Since 2015 Põhjala Brewery has organised an annual craft beer festival called "Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend".[18]

The Estonian Association of Small Brewers (Eesti Väikepruulijate Liit) was established in 2013 with the aim of "developing the Estonian tradition of handcrafted beer, wine and cider and furthering the Estonian alcohol culture by providing quality products and educating the consumer."[20]

Gallery of Estonian breweries[edit]

  • Saku Brewery, in Saku
    Saku Brewery, in Saku
  • A. Le Coq Brewery in Tartu
    A. Le Coq Brewery in Tartu
  • A. Le Coq's beer museum
    A. Le Coq's beer museum
  • Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room, Tallinn
    Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room, Tallinn
  • "Beer House" brewpub, Tallinn
    "Beer House" brewpub, Tallinn
  • Pyynikin's Haljala brewery
    Pyynikin's Haljala brewery

References[edit]

  1. ^ All About Beer. BALTIC PORTERS.
  2. ^ Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter. Estonia free to revive its own brewing culture.
  3. ^ a b ERR News. Roughly one third of all alcohol consumed in Estonia bought in Latvia.
  4. ^ Suspicions confirmed: Tanker sells Lithuanian beer for Estonian production, Postimees news 23 May 2022. Accessed on 17 June 2022.
  5. ^ a b Saku Õlletehas.
  6. ^ a b A. Le Coq. About Us.
  7. ^ Postimees News. The duelling beer biggies.
  8. ^ Visit Estonia. Saku Brewhouse and Museum of Beer.
  9. ^ Visit Estonia. A. Le Coq Beer Museum.
  10. ^ Pyynikin Brewing to reduce Tampere production. YLE News. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  11. ^ Eesti Õlletootjate Liit. (in Estonian)
  12. ^ ERR News. Beer producers: July beer sales more than doubled on northern border.
  13. ^ Beerguide.ee. VIRU ÕLU. (in Estonian)
  14. ^ Larsblog. Brewing koduõlu on Hiiumaa.
  15. ^ Beer Advocate. Baltic Brewing: In Estonia, a Farmhouse Tradition Survives.
  16. ^ Pihtla õlu. Traditional Saaremaa beer.
  17. ^ "Locally produced craft beer trend out of the bottle". ERR. August 6, 2014.
  18. ^ a b c "Tallinn Calling". www.beer52.com. Archived from the original on 2019-02-17. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  19. ^ Kähkönen, Heikki: Viron pienpanimoiden kärkeen kuuluva Tanker siirtyy tanskalaisen olutjätin omistukseen, Viisi Tähteä 13 September 2021. Accessed on 28 November 2021.
  20. ^ Eesti Väikepruulijate Liit. Liidust. (in Estonian)
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