Beer in Estonia: history, traditions and breweries
Two traditional breweries, home-brewed ale from the islands and one of the most exciting craft scenes in northern Europe.
History
Beer is first mentioned in writing in what is now Estonia in 1284. On farms, especially on the western islands such as Saaremaa, people brewed “koduõlu”, home ale, for centuries.
The Saku brewery was founded near Tallinn in 1820. In Tartu the brewing tradition of today’s A. Le Coq brewery goes back to 1800. From 1913 it was named after the London firm A. Le Coq, which sold Imperial stout to Russia – and now had it brewed in Tartu.
In the Soviet era the Tartu brewery was simply called “Tartu Õlletehas”, Tartu Brewery. After independence the breweries were privatised; in 1997 the Finnish brewer Olvi bought the Tartu brewery, which has been called A. Le Coq again ever since.
Craft beer has boomed since the 2010s: in 2013 the small breweries founded their own association, and by 2017 this country of only 1.3 million people already had almost 30 microbreweries. Põhjala from Tallinn is now known internationally.
Traditions and drinking culture
Traditional “koduõlu” is flavoured with juniper and bog myrtle. The wort is not boiled, and the beer has only its natural carbonation.
People often order beer simply by colour: “hele” means pale, “tume” dark. Midsummer at the end of June means bonfires, grilled meat and beer. The toast is “Terviseks!”.
Fun facts
- Many Finns take the ferry to Tallinn to buy beer there more cheaply.
- The Pihtla farmhouse brewery on Saaremaa describes its island ale as “cloudy, yeasty and unpredictable”.
- Both Saku and A. Le Coq run their own beer museums.
- Small breweries producing less than 300,000 litres (about 79,252 gal) a year pay only half the beer tax in Estonia.
Typical beer styles
- Koduõlu (home ale)
- Lager (Hele)
- Porter
- Craft beer of all styles
Beer cities and their stories
Tallinn
Põhjala, one of the best-known craft breweries in northern Europe, brews in the capital. Since 2015 it has hosted the Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend every year.
Saku
Beer has been brewed in this village south of Tallinn since 1820. Saku is now the largest brewery in Estonia.
Tartu
A. Le Coq brews in this university town. Imperial stout for the Russian market used to be brewed here.
Saaremaa
Home ale with juniper is still brewed on Estonia’s largest island, for example at the Pihtla farmhouse brewery.
Breweries and their stories
Saku
Founded on the Saku estate near Tallinn. Today the brewery belongs to Carlsberg.
Known for: Saku Originaal
A. Le Coq
The brewery goes back to 1800 and has been named after the London firm A. Le Coq since 1913. It has belonged to the Finnish brewer Olvi since 1997.
Known for: A. Le Coq Premium
Pihtla
Farmhouse brewery on Saaremaa that brews traditional island ale.
Põhjala
One of the best-known craft breweries in northern Europe, famous for big stouts and porters.
Known for: Öö (Baltic Porter)
Timeline
- 1284whole country
Beer is mentioned in writing for the first time in what is now Estonia.
- 1800Tartu
The brewery that later becomes A. Le Coq is founded in Tartu.
- 1820Saku
A brewery is founded on the Saku estate near Tallinn.
- 1907Saaremaa
The Pihtla farmhouse brewery is founded on Saaremaa; it still brews island ale today.
- 1913Tartu
The brewery in Tartu is now called A. Le Coq and brews Imperial stout for Russia.
- 1997Tartu
The Finnish brewer Olvi buys the Tartu brewery, which is called A. Le Coq again.
- 2015Tallinn
Põhjala hosts the first Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend.