Rēzeknes Bryuvers

Rēzeknes Bryuvers, previously better known in the Latgale region, is now available for purchase in Riga. Introducing this beer and its brewery was not so easy, as information had to be gathered bit by bit, and I also encountered a certain "conspiracy" from the Rēzekne beer side.

History

The brewing traditions of Rēzekne can be traced back to distant Soviet times. At that time the Rēzekne brewery was united with the Daugavpils brewery and was capable of producing a considerable quantity of beer. However, with the collapse of the USSR and the arrival of capitalism (and evidently, imported beers), the Rēzekne brewery was closed. The Daugavpils brewery, on the other hand, managed to hold on considerably longer, until it too was closed in 2008.

A second wind was breathed in 2003 and as a branch of the Daugavpils company Mamas-D, production resumed. But not for long - beset by financial difficulties after a couple of years, it was closed again. [1]

On the third attempt, attracting significant investments to the tune of half a million, the Rēzekne brewery resumed operations in 2005 as a separate company - RSEZ SIA «DFD» - within the Rēzekne Special Economic Zone [2]. Although things have not been easy during this time (we all remember the 2009 crisis) and with changes of ownership [1], operations were maintained and to this day the brewery offers "Bryuvers gaišais" (light), "Bryuvers tumšais" (dark), "Latgales gaišais" (light) and "Mārtiņa gaišais" (light) - both filtered and unfiltered. Back in 2005, Rēzeknes Bryuvers had no great ambitions and was prepared to be satisfied with a market in the Latgale region and approximately 0.93% of the overall Latvian beer market. Initially beer was produced in kegs and the company employed only 10 workers. But the promise to develop was kept, and we now see beer packaged in both PET and glass bottles.

About the Company

Rēzeknes Bryuvers writes on its website that it is not a large commercial producer but a small, exclusive brewery equipped with modern equipment, and that the classic method is used in brewing, where the beer fermentation process lasts 30 days. Despite this, it is known that the Latgales and Mārtiņš beers are produced under contract in Lithuania [1], which also casts a shadow of doubt over the beers marketed under the Rēzeknes Bryuvers brand.

No less curious is the fact that Rēzeknes Bryuvers is not a member of the Latvian Brewers' Association (LADS). Despite this, it publicly showed up at the 2011 Latvia Beer Fest event. It is very much to be hoped that they will also appear this year (2012) at the Latvia Beer Fest event, which this time will take place at Vērmanes Garden in Riga.

Where Can Rēzeknes Bryuvers Be Bought in Riga?

When I first found Rēzeknes Bryuvers bottled beer right here in Riga, I must say I was in a certain state of euphoria. I tried to find any information about the producer and find out exactly where in Riga it could be purchased. However, I was disappointed. The website indicated on the bottle label does not work, information about the company is practically non-existent in the public domain, and the contacts I tracked down clearly indicated that the employees are Russian-speaking. Furthermore, confusion was also caused by the fact that the label states the producer as SIA RSEZ DFD, even though at the same address (Rēzekne, Atbrīvošanas aleja 162) SIA "Rēzeknes Bryuvers" is also registered. No response to emails, but after two weeks (!) a Russian-speaking man called back and inquired about my interest (in retail locations in Riga), but I have yet to receive the information to this day. As it later emerged, this was a representative of SIA Beroko. Fortunately the company deals in beer wholesale and references can be found online suggesting that arrangements can be made if there is a need for a larger quantity of beer.

Although Rēzeknes Bryuvers began its production process as an independent limited company, it appears not to have lost its connection with Daugavpils. For example, the domain www.freshbeer.lv was registered by and the website development is presumably provided by the Daugavpils Business Development Association, located in Daugavpils, Kandava Street 19.

In bottled form it is available in several small food shops in Sarkandaugava. There are reports that it can also be found in IKI stores. Draft can be sought in some "Miestiņš" shops [4].

About the Beer

I have tasted the bottled unpasteurised both light and dark beer. Although I did not detect any particular note in the beer that would make it stand out and differ from the rest, the beer does have its own character. Evidently this manifests itself both in the water from which it is brewed and in the pleasant, lightly caramelised aftertaste.

In 2010, labsalus.lv conducted a poll on "The Tastiest Beer," in which approximately 400 beer enthusiasts participated and in which Rēzeknes Bryuvers beer was also included [5].

Image from labsalus.lv [5]

From the compiled poll results we can see that respondents rated Rēzeknes Bryuvers quite low - only slightly higher than the Cēsu/Aldaris/Lāčplēsis trio. The research methodology can be reviewed on the labsalus.lv website; I personally would only add that there is a substantial difference between bottled beer and draft, and also that, in my view, Madona beer has been rated undeservedly low.

Unfortunately, this beer has not yet made it to beeradvocate.

Information updated 04.04.2012.

Stopping by the SIA "DFD" RSEZ shop in Rēzekne at Atbrīvošanas aleja 162 (under the overpass), you can purchase draft beer or beer filled into 2L plastic bottles of a rather interesting shape. Beer prices: Latgales Alus 2L - LVL 1.35; Bryuvers Gaišais 2L - LVL 1.35; Bryuvers Tumšais 2L - LVL 1.39. The shop is open on weekdays until 20:00 and at weekends until 18:00. The taste is a notch above the beers in glass bottles available in wider retail.

[1] Beer Guide to Latvia, 2011

[2] http://www.db.lv/razosana/rezekne-atklas-alus-razotni-183403

[3] http://freshbeer.lv (unpublished version)

[4] http://www.miestins.lv/veikali/

[5] http://labsalus.lv/latvijas-labakais-alus-2010/

* publicity images used in the article