Latvian Beer

Part One – 3 Darks

After 8 months of surveying the frothy beverage landscape in Latvia I think I’ve come to a conclusion: Latvian beer is easily just as good as beer in America – maybe even better considering that domestic beer in Latvia is craft beer. If you want watery flavorless suds it’s probably better to shop the imports 😉

So, Christina and I selected a few we liked (and could find in the local grocery) and arranged a head-to-head tasting of three dark beers. I plan to do another for light beers after some warm summery days sampling that side of the spectrum.

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Here are the contenders:

Note that all three have the word “tumšais” on the label. This just means “dark” or “the dark (one).” Much Latvian beer seems to be categorized simply as “tumšais” or “gaišais,” although I have seen the words “porter,” “ale,” “IPA,” etc. on domestic labels. Other common labelings have to do with whether the beer is unfiltered and/or unpasteurized, both of which are very common offerings.

Christina and I rated each beer on a scale out of 5 – nothing scientific, just general impressions. I’ve copied our tasting notes below and some additional bits that you might find interesting – Let us know!

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Starting on the left is Lielvārdes Tumšais – Christina 4/5 – Randy 3/5

This beer label claims this beer was famous already by the 17th century. Lielvārdes is also the name of a small town and a 13th century Livonian (Catholic crusaders) castle ruin. The label also indicates an IBU of 14 and German Hallertau Taurus hops. https://visitbaltics.net/en/ruiny-srednevekovogo-zamka-lielvarde-latviya/

Tasting notes: Reddish-brown in color – the reddest of the three. Sweeter nose like a fruity iced tea. Bone dry sweetness and crisp texture (for a dark beer). Sort of reminiscent of an American brown ale. Flavors of dark roasted nut and coffee. A subtle caramel apple thing with a dark chocolate finish.

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In the middle is Tērvete Tumšais – Christina 5/5 – Randy 4/5

Aside from stating that the beer is “from the land itself” this label is lighter on details. Their website states that the IBU is 25, and curiously, that it’s good paired with smoked eel. Tērvete is also the name of a small town and was the site of a Semigallian hillfort which was destroyed by the Livonian crusaders in the late 13th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%93rvete#/media/File:2010_09_04_7Tervete37.JPG

Tasting notes: Opaque brown color. Obvious dark-roasted coffee nose. Slightly sweeter than Lielvārdes with a creamy mouth feel. Toasted hazelnut, malt, and dark chocolate flavors with a subtle smoky or burnt toast thing. The darkest flavor of the three. Good balance between sweet and bitter tones. Nice, malty finish.

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Finally, on the right is Bauskas Tumšais Speciālais – Christina 2/5 – Randy 3/5

This label is even lighter on details but the website recommends pairing it with “hearty liver dishes, as well as honey cake,” ew… This brewery boasts the oldest and most experienced brewer in Latvia. Bauska is also the name of a small town in Latvia and also the former site of a Semigallian fortress. Livonian crusaders also built a stone fortress here, and subsequently, after the Livonian order collapsed, a palace was built abutting the old castle: https://visitbaltics.net/en/bauskij-zamok-latviya/

Tasting notes: Reddish-brown color. Light nose of craft root beer or sarsaparilla. The sweetest of the three; Christina thought it too sweet. Medium texture – not really crisp nor creamy. Dominant flavors of sarsaparilla and chicory (not coffee), maybe even mint, with requisite roasted nut tones. Nice long malty finish.

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Tērvete was clearly the winner. It’s a very enjoyable beer, and is still our go-to beer.

Priekā!