Tallinn – The City Of Craft Beer: History And Tasting

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and the city full of culture and history. Its old town is considered one of the best preserved in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has numerous sights for visitors, but there is something else that makes Tallinn special: craft beer. This drink has become trendy in recent years, and in Tallinn you can find a huge selection of brewing houses, pubs and beer festivals that offer a wide range of flavors and experiences.In this article, we will give you a guide to Tallinn’s craft beer scene and discover its history, what makes it unique and where can visitors go for the best tastings and experiences.

The Wacky History Of Estonian Craft Beer

Before going deeper into the current beer culture of Tallinn, it is important to know a bit about how it all started.During Soviet occupation, Estonia was part of the Soviet Union and its inhabitants lived similar lifestyles and had similar products as the other Sovient Republics, including food and drink. Beer was no exception to this and Estonians drank the same industrial lager as the rest of the Union. Even after 1991, when Estonia regains its independence, Estonians were stuck with the same beer without many other choices. This all changed during the early 2000s when new laws allowed micro-breweries to operate with less restrictions, unlike the big industrial beers like Saaz or Vana Tallinn found then in stores. After this change in the law, many micro-breweries started to pop up throughout Estonia, but mostly in Tallinn. This could be considered the real beginning for craft beer in Estonia, because before it was always large industrial beers with the same combinations of malted barley and sometimes other cereals that dominated the Estonian market. With the appearance of the new breweries, new flavors and styles started to become available. Most of Tallinn’s breweries specialize in different types of beer from classic lagers to sweeter ales, to smoky stouts and everything in between. Every brewery has its own selection of beers and flavors, something that has helped to create a vibrant and growing craft beer scene throughout Tallinn. Of course, craft beer enthusiasts should always keep in mind that these beers still come with a certain alcohol content, so they should consume responsibly.

What Makes Estonian Craft Beer Unique?

Estonian craft breweries have been able to preserve the traditional beer recipes while creating new ones using natural ingredients from the region such as malted barley, hops, yeast and often even bucolic spices such as juniper berries. This combination of old and new techniques has helped Estonian beers stand out from the rest of Europe with unique flavors and authentic options for visitors in Tallinn. The country also produces one of the most popular Estonian brewers in the world: Saaz. This beer is an unfiltered lager that dates back to 1869 when it was first produced in the city of Tartu. Saaz Beer is still one of the most popular beers throughout Estonia and even other parts of Europe due to its unique production process and unique taste. The characteristics of Saaz are a light golden hue, with delicate floral aromas, a refreshing light maltiness and slightly fruity aftertaste. Another one of Tallinn’s popular beers is Lehe Sorggi, which is a light ale with wheat malts, fermented with kveik yeast, creating a refreshing light flavor with subtle fruity tones. This beer has become increasingly popular in Estonia due to its unique flavor that cannot be found anywhere else. No matter what type of beer you prefer, Tallinn offers something for every taste as there are numerous breweries throughout the city offering a variety of different styles for tourists looking for unique craft beers.

Where To Go For The Best Craft Beer Tastings And Experiences In Tallinn

The only way to truly understand what makes artisanal beers from Estonia so special is to taste them first-hand. To provide you with some of the best places to do this in Tallinn we have included a few noteworthy places here:

Von Krahl Theatre

The Von Krahl Theatre is perfect for tourists who want a taste of Estonian beers plus some entertainment. This venue is both a theater to see musicals and comedies as well as an artisanal beer house where you can sample some unique brews from Estonian craft breweries. Prices are reasonable (4-5 euros per beer) so you can explore several styles very easily.

Pudel Baar

This bar is perfect for anyone looking for an atmosphere that gamers will enjoy. Pudel Bar also serves craft beers from various European and Estonian brewers including local favorites Levillant, Pyrilm Lemmikud, Mõisapargi Päike, If Only IPA and Love Story IPA from leading local breweries Paja and Lions Brewery. Prices range from 3-5 euro per pint so you can try several different styles without breaking the bank.

Komeet

Komeet is an underground bar located near the Old Town that offers an impressive selection of craft beers from local Estonian as well as Swedish microbreweries such as Fat Lizard Brewing and Põhjala Brewery. Prices range depending on which beer you choose but they usually vary between 2-5 euros per pint.

Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend

The Craft Beer Weekend (different to Tallinn Craft Beer Week) is another option for those interested in trying different craft beers produced by multiple local breweries in Tallinn. This event takes place every August at various venues around the city including Von Krahl theatre itself, Pudel Bar and Komeet Bar. The event offers visitors a great opportunity to sample some of the best beers from different brewers around Estonia while being informed about brewing techniques and historical references related to them by specialists themselves

Final Thoughts

It’s clear that Tallinn has become a hot spot for craft beer lovers looking for something new and authentic. With a wide variety of venues to choose from, as well as some interesting historic references linked to its production; it’s easy to understand why Estonia’s craft beer scene has become so popular in recent years. Whether you want to spend an afternoon exploring several different styles or just want to taste something that cannot be found anywhere else; Tallin offers a great experience for all enthusiasts alike. If what you are looking for is a deeper dive into the craft beer culture of Tallinn, why don’t you book an experience? You’ll have access to professional brewers who will explain everything about the production process as well as offer tastings so you can really get an idea on how Estonia’s craft beer is like!