Did you know?
- The English A. le Coq firm established a brewery in Estonia in 1913 to produce its porter for the Russian empire. Carrying this revived name, the premium lager, which we find to have a sweeter, heavier taste than Saku Originaal, has gained considerable ground on the market. More recently, the Tartu Brewery introduced a new product to the market: 'Black Beer' which we found to be fairly smooth.
- Established on an estate in the village of Saku near Tallinn in 1820, the Saku brewery had grown into the largest beer-making business in northern Estonia by the end of the 1800s. The quality of its products suffered during the Soviet period, but the operation was completely modernised after privatisation in the 1990s, and now it exports its beer to Northern Europe, the US, and even to one Japanese town, also called Saku. Though 'Originaal' is well known, Saku in fact produces 13 lager-type beers ranging from the bock beer 'Sorts' to its Christmas Porter, which has won taste tests in Finland.
- That beer makes you both funnier to your mates and more attractive to the opposite sex.
Tallinn Bars and Beers Guide
PUBS
For a city that spends much of its winter in darkness, you'd expect an interesting bar scene, and Tallinn certainly delivers. Keep up the medieval theme at the excellent Kloostri ait (Cloisters Barn), a medieval beer hall, which often puts on good live music from jazz to folk and has a fireplace large enough to stand up in. The Öllerton Pub is beer nirvana, with brands from all over the world, but for the real Estonian experience go to Seiklusjutte Maalt ja Merelt. The local beer is Saku or Tartu, and for vodka, there's Viru Valge.s.
BEER
By far the strongest force in Estonia's beer market is the Saku Brewery, which is well known for its premium lager 'Saku Originaal'.
Another well-known name, A. le Coq, produced by Tartu Brewery, has been gaining ground in the market since its introduction in May 1999 - or rather its re-introduction.
Other beers gaining in popularity are Frederik and Bear Beer, produced by Viru Beer, which has done a good job marketing them to the younger, partying crowd. Their older labels, Palmse (dark) and Toolse (light) are more rare, but still favourites among some connoisseurs. München Beer, produced by Sillamäe Brewery, can only be found at some select bars, but is also worth seeking out. For vodka, there's Viru Valge.
