Estonian beer is a traditional treat from Tartu

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

There are few places where beer is loved and appreciated on the entire B altic coast as in Estonia. The first breweries were founded in the XIII century by the efforts of the monks. And the foamy and soft intoxicating drink was respected by the local nobles, who gladly consumed it during the hours of a cheerful feast.

Centuries have passed, but Estonian beer is still popular both among the inhabitants of the country and among the guests of the country who come to rest. And this is not surprising, because there are many breweries here. But the most popular varieties are produced at the two largest factories, which are historically located in the cities of Saku and Tartu.

History

Sakuk Brewery can be proud of a large assortment of not only beer drinks. But the Tartu brewery A. Le. Coq traces its history back to the first two productions: B. J. Hesse, founded in 1800, and the family brewery of Justus Reinhold Schramm, founded by him in 1826. Justus got his first experience at his mother's beer production,then he began to produce the drink on his own.

Becoming a respected merchant, Justus Reinhold Schramm expanded the business, but the new building of the brewery was designed and built by his son Anton Justus Schramm in 1860.

Mead and vodka drinks have been added to the beer assortment. And the idea of opening your own beer shop in the center of Tartu, where other related products were also sold, quickly paid for itself. And in 1879 the first beer restaurant was opened - a beer pub.

In 1884, the heirs of the founder of the brewery resold the family business, considering it burdensome.

Fortunately, the well-established business fell into the hands of the experienced industrialist Moritz Friedrich, who was the owner of the Tivoli company.

He did business on a grand scale, supplying products to Estonian buyers, as well as to St. Petersburg and Pskov. Along the way, receiving prizes at various international exhibitions.

But in 1913 he left the brewery. She passed into the hands of the Belgian beer industrialist Albert Le Cog'u. His company A. Le Coq & Co (1807, London) by that time was already actively working on the world market. Deliveries of its branded dark and strong beer "Russian Imperial Porter" to the Russian capital were regular and constantly increased.

The Estonian beer factory in Tartu was very useful, because it was expensive to bring a drink from the UK. This is how Tartu Brewery acquired its current name - A. Le Coq & Co.

Thanks to Albert Le Cog's, it has become a tradition for Tartu brewers to help, support, and make donations. So during the First World War, part of the beer was sent for the needs of hospitals.

But the global tragedy still affected production. The plant was not only stopped, but completely looted. And only in 1920 the gradual revival of the enterprise began. By 1936, all production facilities were completely restored and equipped with the most modern equipment at that time - electrical, and the owner even managed to make a good profit.

But the times were unstable, and the political situation changed quite quickly.

With the advent of Soviet power in Estonia, the plant was privatized, and the possibility of its development was postponed indefinitely.

Mid 20th century

This period can be called Soviet, as Estonia has been part of the Soviet Union since 1940. Only in 1991 the Republic confirmed its independence.

The Second World War caused irreparable damage to the global economy. The production of Estonian beer was resumed only in 1944, when the city was liberated from Nazi troops.

50s became a period of powerful industrial breakthrough. Including for the brewery. He became the leader in production in Estonia and reached the all-Union level. Further, its development was already planned.

Modernity

Today, the Tartu brewery is part of a large international holding, which also includes the Saaremaa brewery, the Latvian CēsuAlus, Lithuanian Ragutis AB and Ösel Foods.

The new owners regularly modernize their production facilities, which improves their economic performance, and Tartu Brewery is rightfully considered the best enterprise in Estonia's largest city.

Modern Estonian beer from the A. Le Coq brewery is represented by the following varieties:

• Le Coq Pilsner;
• Le Coq Premium;
• Le Coq Premium Alkoholivaba;
• Le Coq Premium Double Hops;
• Le Coq Premium Extra;
• Le Coq English Ale;
• Le Coq Porter;
• Le Coq Extra;
• Alexander;
• Alexander Weizen;
• Alexander Dunkel;
• Special;
• Brewer's collection;
• Double Bock;
• Tõmmu Hiid;
• Saaremaa Tuulik;
• Pilsner Eripruul;
• Disel;
• Turbo Diesel;
• Buckler;
• Santanos;
• Imperial;
• Warsteiner;
• Konig Ludwig.

In 2003, the Museum of Estonian Beer was opened on the territory of the plant. In addition to this wonderful foamy drink with a variety of tastes, degrees of strength and lightness, the company produces absolutely non-alcoholic drinks such as cider, refreshing waters, juices, nectars.