The Riga Beer District is a terrific initiative that showcases the craft beer scene in Riga. The district is just over 1,5 km from the old town so it is also a great way to explore more of lovely Riga.
Small-scale brewing has been part of the Latvian nation since the middle ages. This was also the real beginning of craft brewing as at this time the brewing tended to be done by Latvian farmers using their own ingredients.
The industrial revolution brought large-scale breweries to Latvia. However, the First World War and the Soviet Regime restricted the brewing and sale of beer. This resulted in a return to small-scale brewing, meaning Latvia has been far ahead of most of the world in the more recent growth of craft breweries.
It should then come as no surprise that Riga has a wonderfully developed craft brewing scene. The creation of the Riga Beer District is now naming and framing this scene and providing tourists with the opportunity to go to local bars generally only visited by locals.
Riga Beer District Tours Itinerary
The beer district tour covers a 2 ½ kilometre route with 10 stops and the opportunity to taste over 100 varieties of Latvian craft beer.
This Riga beer tour covered 4 of the 10 bars/breweries on the route.
First stop
It started at the Valmiermuizas Beer Embassy. It is often said that this is the best beer in Latvia. The restaurant has also been awarded the best restaurant in Latvia for several years.
We tasted 3 different types of beer here as well as their quite extraordinary bar snacks. The Latvian favourite, dark rye garlic bread, featured heavily on this tour and I highly encourage you to enjoy as much of it as possible.
Second stop
The next stop was Labietis. One of the staff members made all the furniture in this atmospheric bar! Labietis only serves ales. We enjoyed some creative and unusual ales which featured local ingredients like juniper berries. There was also an elderflower shandy and one beer that had no hops and no malted grains. Instead, it featured a specific type of honey and most of the ingredients from a beer hive.
The team here close the bar for 2 weeks during the summer and go foraging for ingredients – a real dedication to sourcing locally.
Third stop
Next up was Ziemeļu Enkurs. This brewery was founded by a brewer and a sailor and utilizes the seafaring theme. The bar also has a fantastic outdoor pub terrace. The name of the bar translates as the Northern Anchors.
This brewer has no bottles or labels – their beers only exist on tap. We enjoyed blueberry beer, pumpkin stout with species called El Capitain and then the Octopus.
This stop also included some more garlic bread and onion rings to absorb the beer.
Fourth stop
The final stop was Alķīmiķis. This brewery works with the seasons. There are only 4 beer varieties available at any time, which change four times a year. They also have a beer of the month every month.
Their glistening tanks are also in the bar itself so whilst you drink your beer it is also possible to enjoy watching the next beers brewing.
The owners are movie buffs and their colourful labels are displayed on the bar's walls. My favourite name was the Eternal Rhubarb of the spotless Gooseberry.
By the end of the tour you will fully understand the creative and inspiring Latvian craft brewing industry. Those involved are artisans rather than just brewers and their love and passion for their art is clearly evident.
More information about the Riga Beer District Tour.
Created in cooperation with The Boutique Adventurer. The Boutique Adventurer focuses on Hidden Gems and Unexplored Areas in Destinations both Emerging & Known. What they all have in common is that end they end the day in a hotel with a high thread count on its sheets - and tend to involve some fabulous food and wine! The blog is focused on Well Travelled Adventurers.