[Photo from liveriga.com]

Beer is one of the most popular beverages in Latvia, it has been brewed here since ancient times. One of the most popular and oldest Latvian festivities – summer solstice or Līgo when it is a matter of honor for the host to serve self-brewed beer – cannot be imagined without beer. During the festivity beer is enjoyed, tasted, and praised. Of course, also singing, dancing, and laughing is there.

Each home-brewed beer differs – if more hops are added, it is bitterer, if malt is added – sweeter. One is stronger, the other a little bit lighter. But they are all alive beers with their own unique bouquet of flavors.

To honor beer, Latvia Beerfest is celebrated in Riga – then more than 50 beer brands brewed in Latvia can be tried. On any regular day beer can be enjoyed in the many cafes of Riga.

Of course, beer in Latvia is produced also in breweries and can be bought in shops.

When in Riga, we suggest you visit the LIDO brewery - the only microbrewery in Latvia that brews live beer using a special recipe (more on www.lido.lv) that has earned several awards in recent years.

The most popular breweries are Tērvete, Valmiermuiža, Bauska, Užava, Aldaris, Cēsu, Līvu, and others.

Explicit hop taste is characteristic to Tērvetes Senču and Oriģinālais beers.

Valmiermuižas beer offers pale and dark beer – both with explicit strong beer bouquet.

Bauskas beer is slightly sweet.

Pale and dark Užavas beer – hazy, with more explicit hop taste.

Lager beers are popular to Aldara, Cēsu, and Līvu breweries.

While visiting Latvia you should definitely try beer and take it home as a souvenir.