Estonian Craft Beer

Estonia, the northernmost of the three Baltic countries, has a lot to offer in terms of craft beer. The country has an incredible density of small breweries brewing great beer. The Põhjala and Pühaste breweries are at the forefront of the Estonian craft beer scene and are already very popular and established internationally. But there is infinitely more beer and breweries to discover in Estonia!

The craft beer scene in Estonia is incredibly vibrant. Põhjala and Pühaste sparked a real beer boom in the Baltic state in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, Estonia has an impressive density of craft beer breweries - over 40 of them with a population of about 1,300,000 people. Craft beer has completely arrived in the middle of society there, and locally brewed beer is served in almost every restaurant and bar.

Craft beer breweries from Estonia - an incredible variety

Besides Põhjala and Pühaste, Tanker, Sori Brewing, and Lehe and Anderson's are the best-known craft beer breweries from Estonia. But the country has much more to offer. In addition to countless small microbreweries, Õllenaut, Purtse, Vaat, Käbliku, Kalamaja Pruulikoda or Humalakoda breweries are also nationally or internationally known and available.

Pihtla Pruulikoda occupies a special position. This brewery is located on the country's largest island, Saaremaa, where it brews, among other things, the traditional Farmhouse Ale of Saaremaa according to a recipe from the early 20th century.

The Muddis Brewery also has a long tradition dating back to 1688. It brews with very special water, which springs in a protected landscape area. This gives their beers a special texture and clean flavor profile.

What kind of craft beer is brewed in Estonia?

There are no limits to the variety of styles in Estonian craft beer. In the past, the beer range was dominated by lagers, and still the two largest breweries, Saku and A Le Coq, are unquestioned market leaders in Estonia. But much has already changed. This is evident from the fact that the two major breweries were quick to include other trendy beer styles such as IPA in their range.

In addition to many modern styles such as IPA, Pale Ale or Sour Ale, there is a traditional preference for dark beer styles such as Porter and Stout. Gladly on in the stronger versions Imperial Porter and Imperial Stout.

A characteristic beer style for Estonian breweries is Baltic Porter. Unlike typical porter, Baltic Porter is brewed with a bottom-fermenting yeast. Baltic Porter originated in the Baltic States, when recipes originating in England were adapted to local climatic conditions and porters were brewed with top-fermenting yeasts rather than with bottom-fermenting ones.

Beers with special ingredients from Estonia

Also important are special ingredients from Estonian nature. Foraging in the forests, canning, cooking with wild ingredients, growing one's own vegetables, all this has a long tradition in Estonia.

So it's no wonder that ingredients like spruce tips, rhubarb, blueberries, birch leaves, sea buckthorn, moss, porcini mushrooms or juniper find their way into Estonian craft beer.

The Craft Beer Scene in Estonia: Restaurants, Bars, Festivals

As already said, in Estonia you can actually get good beer everywhere. Not only in the capital Tallinn there are many great craft beer bars, taprooms and bottle stores. Especially recommended is the taproom of Põhjala, which is located directly in the brewery. But also in Tartu, Estonia's second largest city, there are some beer destinations. For example, the Pühaste Kelder, the bar of the Pühaste brewery located there. And also in other cities like Pärnu, Haapsalu or on the islands Saaremaa and Hiiumaa you will quickly find places with great beer!

The craft beer breweries in Estonia have a strong bond with each other, the scene sticks together. This is shown not only by the countless collabs of Estonian breweries among themselves, but also by three important craft beer festivals in Estonia. Because at all of them you can find a majority of the most important Estonian breweries!

The most important festivals are:

Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend (TCBW): THE craft beer festival in Estonia. It is organized by Põhjala and takes place once a year in Tallinn. Every year, guests include many Estonian breweries as well as some of the hottest breweries in Europe and the world!

Pühaste Õllepidu: The Pühaste brewery from Tartu celebrates its birthday every year with a small festival. This event is far more intimate than TCBW, however the selection of breweries participating is as diverse as it is exquisite.

Eesti Väikepruulijate Festival: The festival of the Estonian small breweries. Here, the scene of the entire country comes together and presents their latest beers.