A vodkától a kézműves sörig – Fertő Imre, Bakucs Zoltán és szerzőtársaik új cikke megjelent az Eurochoices folyóiratban

The once flourishing beer sector of the Baltic states was decimated and homogenised into low-quality mass-produced beer during Soviet times. Against this background, the article examines the micro- and craft beer scenes in the Baltic States, exploring their historical growth, regulatory changes, cultural and economic factors, and the key differences across the three countries. The focus is on Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, where craft beer has once again gained prominence over traditional spirits like vodka.

This shift reflects the broader cultural and economic changes in the region. In Lithuania, the revival of ancient farmhouse brewing techniques has been central to the craft beer movement. Latvia, with its strong German-influenced brewing history, has seen the craft beer sector emerge as a competitive force, despite the dominance of large breweries. However, Latvian microbreweries face challenges from established players. Estonia, despite a late start, has rapidly developed a thriving craft beer industry, driven by its strong digital infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in urban centres like Tallinn. The shift from vodka to beer in the Baltic States reflects deeper socio-economic changes shaped by regulatory frameworks, cultural evolution, and economic restructuring, resulting in dynamic and diverse beer markets across the region.