Beer in Poland: history, traditions and breweries
Poland is one of Europe’s largest beer producers: in 2023 it ranked third in the EU, behind Germany and Spain.
History
In the Middle Ages almost every town brewed its own beer. The dark, strong beer from Świdnica (Schweidnitz) was so famous that taverns in Wrocław, Kraków and Toruń were called “Świdnica cellars” after it. From the 16th century, Gdańsk shipped its heavy, almost black Jopenbier as far as the Low Countries.
Beer was part of everyday life in Poland, even at breakfast: “polewka piwna”, a warm beer soup with egg and spices, was a popular morning meal until the 18th century – before coffee arrived.
In the 19th century large breweries such as Okocim (1845) and Żywiec (1856) were founded; in Tychy beer has even been brewed since 1629. After 1989 international groups took over the big brands.
Since 2011 Poland has been experiencing a craft beer revolution. The starting signal is considered to be the IPA “Atak Chmielu” (“hop attack”) from the Pinta brewery. Old styles such as Grodziskie were revived too.
Today Poland is one of the largest beer producers in Europe. Most Polish hops grow around Lublin in the east.
Traditions and drinking culture
Beer with raspberry or ginger syrup, “piwo z sokiem”, is popular, and in winter people drink “grzaniec”, hot beer with spices and honey. The toast is “Na zdrowie!” – to your health.
Strong, dark porters have a long tradition in Poland. They are simply called “Porter” and often have 8 to 10 % ABV.
Fun facts
- The brewery in Tychy was founded in 1629, the year King John III Sobieski was born. The crown on the Tyskie label recalls this.
- On the Żywiec label a couple dances the krakowiak, a folk dance from the Kraków region.
- The Żywiec brewery belonged to the imperial Habsburg family until after the Second World War.
- Grodziskie, a light smoked beer made from wheat malt, used to be called “Polish champagne” because it is so sparkling.
- Since 2016 beer lovers have celebrated Baltic Porter Day on the third Saturday in January – an idea from Poland.
Typical beer styles
Beer cities and their stories
Grodzisk Wielkopolski
Home of Grodziskie, a light wheat beer made from oak-smoked malt. Rules for brewing it existed as early as 1601. The brewery closed in 1994; since 2015 Grodziskie has been brewed here again.
Wrocław (Breslau)
In the cellar of the town hall lies the Piwnica Świdnicka, the Świdnica Cellar, a tavern since 1273. It is named after the dark, strong beer from Świdnica that was served here in the Middle Ages.
Gdańsk (Danzig)
The Hanseatic city was famous for its Jopenbier: so heavy and dark that in the end it was considered more a medicine than a drink. It was brewed until the First World War.
Żywiec
The brewery was founded in 1856, when the town belonged to Austria, and was owned by the Habsburgs until after the Second World War.
Tychy
Beer has been brewed here continuously since 1629. Since 2004 the Tyskie Brewing Museum on the brewery grounds has told the story of beer.
Brzesko
The Württemberg brewer Johann Evangelist Götz founded the Okocim brewery here in 1845. Around 1900 it was the largest brewery in the territory of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Lublin
The country’s most important hop-growing area lies around this city in eastern Poland. Lublin hops are a fine aroma variety.
Breweries and their stories
Tyskie
The brewery first belonged to the noble Promnitz family, later to the princes of Pless, and was called the “Princely Brewery in Tichau”. Tyskie is one of Poland’s most popular beer brands and today belongs to Asahi.
Known for: Tyskie Gronie
Żywiec
Once the Habsburgs’ brewery, today owned by Heineken. It is known for its pale lager and the label with the dancing couple.
Known for: Żywiec, Żywiec Porter
Okocim
Founded by Johann Evangelist Götz; the first brew was made on 23 February 1846. Okocim has belonged to Carlsberg since 1996.
Known for: Okocim, Okocim Porter
Browar Grodzisk
Brews Grodziskie again in the town that gave the style its name.
Known for: Piwo z Grodziska
Pinta
Pinta sparked the Polish craft beer revolution with its IPA “Atak Chmielu”.
Known for: Atak Chmielu
Timeline
- 1273Wrocław (Breslau)
Beer is served in the cellar of Wrocław’s town hall. The Piwnica Świdnicka is considered one of Europe’s oldest restaurants.
- 16th c.Gdańsk (Danzig)
Heavy, almost black Jopenbier is shipped from Gdańsk as far as the Netherlands.
- 1601Grodzisk Wielkopolski
Grodzisk already has rules for brewing Grodziskie, a light wheat beer made from oak-smoked malt.
- 1629Tychy
A brewery starts brewing in Tychy – without a break to this day. It becomes Tyskie, today one of Poland’s most popular beers.
- 1845Brzesko
The Württemberg brewer Johann Evangelist Götz founds the Okocim brewery in Brzesko.
- 1856Żywiec
A brewery is founded in Żywiec that belongs to the Habsburg imperial family until after the Second World War.
- 2011whole country
The IPA “Atak Chmielu” from the Pinta brewery sparks Poland’s craft beer revolution.
- 2015Grodzisk Wielkopolski
After more than twenty years, Grodziskie is brewed in Grodzisk again.