Beer in Slovenia: history, traditions and breweries
A small country with a big hop-growing tradition: hops from the Savinja valley go into beers all over the world.
History
Before larger breweries appeared in the 19th century, people in Slovenia drank mostly wine. There were only a few small breweries.
In 1825 the country’s first brewery to brew bottom-fermented lager was founded in Laško. In 1864 the brothers Ivan and Peter Kosler founded the brewery in Ljubljana that became Union.
Hops have been grown in the Lower Savinja valley around Žalec since the 19th century. Today Slovenia is one of the world’s largest hop producers; varieties such as Celeia, Bobek and Aurora come from here.
Laško and Union were long rivals: Union is the capital’s beer, Laško is drunk mainly in the rest of the country. In 2005 Laško took a majority stake in Union, and since 2015 both have belonged to Heineken.
Since the 2010s there has been a lively craft beer scene with over a hundred breweries – a remarkable number for a country of about two million people.
Traditions and drinking culture
The classic is a pale lager on draught; it accounts for over 95% of beer drinking. The toast is “Na zdravje!”.
In summer the tall hop gardens shape the landscape of the Savinja valley. There are festivals at hop harvest, and a hop princess represents the region.
Fun facts
- A beer fountain has stood in Žalec since 2016: with a glass that has a chip in its base you pour yourself small samples from six different taps.
- The Styrian Golding hop is called “Styrian” but grows mainly in the Slovenian part of Styria, in the Savinja valley.
- The Celeia hop variety is named after the Roman name of the town of Celje.
- The Laško logo shows Zlatorog, a legendary white chamois buck with golden horns from the Julian Alps.
Typical beer styles
- Lager
- Pale ale with Slovenian hops
- Craft beer of all styles
Beer cities and their stories
Žalec
This town in the Savinja valley is the centre of Slovenian hop growing. A beer fountain has bubbled here since 2016, and a museum tells the story of the “green gold”.
Laško
Beer has been brewed here since 1825. The town on the Savinja river is also known for its thermal springs.
Ljubljana
The Kosler brothers founded the Union brewery in the capital in 1864. Today there are many craft beer bars in the old town.
Breweries and their stories
Laško
Slovenia’s first brewery to brew lager. Its best-known beer is called Zlatorog.
Known for: Zlatorog
Union
Founded by Ivan and Peter Kosler. Since 2016 Union and Laško have been merged into one company.
Known for: Union Svetlo
Timeline
- 1825Laško
Slovenia’s first lager brewery is founded in Laško.
- 1864Ljubljana
The brothers Ivan and Peter Kosler found what will become the Union brewery in Ljubljana.
- 19th c.Žalec
Hop growing begins in the Savinja valley around Žalec – today one of the most important in the world.
- 2005Laško
Laško takes a majority stake in Union. Since 2015 both have belonged to Heineken.
- 2016Žalec
A beer fountain opens in Žalec: Slovenian beers flow from six taps.