During
the 19th century, Riga was a brewing capital – its breweries operated at full
capacity to quench the thirst of both Rigans and lovers of sweet miestiņš
beer from near and afar.
The Riga
Beer District is graced by three historical breweries:
Kimmel, Kunzendorff and Stritzky. Word
has it that water especially suitable for brewing flowed from the depths of the
earth. Although these giants foundered amidst the turbulence of history, the
spirit of beer lives on. After Valmiermuiža Brewery established its Riga
Embassy on the premises of the former Stritzky Brewery, one after another, a
host of new pubs opened their doors in this neighbourhood, some of which even
installed their own brewing apparatus.
The Riga Beer District is comprised
of the Labietis beer workshop, the small-scale Ziemeļu Enkurs Brewery,
the bars Taka and Walters & Grapa, which sell
products made by small breweries, Vest, which is a hang-out for
progressive youth, the alternative party epicentre Autentika, Zobens
un Lemess, a bar for heavy metal fans, as well as the Valmiermuiža
Brewery’s Beer Embassy in Riga. A stone’s throw away, one will find the Alķīmiķis
pub and brewery.
With
their varying characters and regulars, these nine pubs are bonded by their love
of craft beer brewed by true masters, as well as their locations within walking
distance of one another.
Its
historically significant location and the chance to discover Latvia’s beer
varieties in all their diversity make the Riga Beer District an attractive
tourist destination for everyone who considers themselves a beer lover and is
tired of the mass production of the big breweries. It is a place where beer
gourmands meet those in search of surprising flavours, as well as ordinary beer
lovers.
With
smiles on their faces, the founders of the Riga Beer District call it a small
gift to the whole of Latvia and its friends on the occasion of the country’s centenary,
offering beer lovers the chance to enjoy beer varieties lovingly brewed by
Latvian brewmasters and the hospitality of Riga.
BEER
DISTRICT TOURS
We invite
you to discover the Beer District in the friendly company of a knowledgeable
guide, and enjoy some outstanding varieties of Latvian craft beer together with
plenty of delicious snacks at five pubs.
The tour
of the Beer District will begin at the Valmiermuiža Beer Embassy, where
your guide will offer you the chance to sample Valmiermuiža’s fine
beer, with an accompanying serving of select foods made from the Latvia’s
finest natural ingredients.
From there, the tour will take you to three small
brewpubs: Labietis, Ziemeļu Enkurs and Alķīmiķis,
where you will get an insight into how real craft beer is brewed and
be treated to a surprising adventure in flavours. In turn, the Taka bar
is renowned for having one of the widest ranges of beers brewed in Latvia – this
is a wonderful opportunity to discover the diversity of Latvia’s flavours.
Tour duration:
3 - 4 hours
Tour
start time: 18.00
Tour
starting point: Valmiermuiža Beer Embassy, A. Briāna Street 9a, Riga
The
excursion can be conducted in English or Latvian.
Price: per
1 person EUR 38, tasting of 12 local beers and snacks included.
Tours of
the Beer District are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by prior arrangement
- by calling: +371 20264269 or sending an e-mail to: info@valmiermuiza.lv
*Maximum
no. of persons per group: 12.