Please note: considering the huge and neverending development of the world of beer in many countries, my comments below may be quite out-of-date.
Apart from the marketing genius Albert Le Coq in the 19th century, Estonia has a pretty discrete beer past.
The departure of the Soviets saw a take-over of the market by Scandinavian breweries (Carlsberg, Olvi and Harboe) and a stagnation in terms of diversity and quality for the next 20 years.
The beginning of a deep change happened back in 2011 with the start of Pohjala and since then the opening of dozen of craft breweries for a total of about 40 nowadays.
As much as 61% of the Estonian beers are exported to about 50 countries worldwide (if you live in Switzerland and are looking for beers from this country, then don't miss the Mugi Beer Shop in Bussigny!).
Also worth noting here is the local farmhouse style, a cousin of the Finnish sahti: koduolu.
Breweries: ~ 40 / Consumption per capita: 80 litres / % imported: ~28% / % exported: ~61%.
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Total: 137 beers Weighted average: 14.00country rating: | my favourite breweries (min. 3 beers) | ||
| 1. | PõHJALA | 14.71 | |
| 2. | TANKER | 14.23 | |
| 3. | Anderson's Craft Beer | 13.77 | |
| 4. | SORI | 13.69 | |
| 5. | PÜHASTE | 13.62 | |
| 6. | LEHE PRUULIKODA | 13.35 | |
| 7. | ÕLLENAUT | 13.34 | |
| 8. | VAAT | 13.10 | |
| 9. | A. LE COQ (TARTU OLLETEHAS) | 11.31 | |
| 10. | SAKU | 10.17 | |
| BREWERY & BEER NAME (Click on the link to see my comments) | collaboration with | contract brewed by | ALC. % | STYLE | RATING | image
| SORI Shadow Game XI - Irish Coffee & Maple Syrup (Heaven Hill BA) | | | 12.6 | Stout - Imperial | 16.8 |
| PõHJALA Öö | | | 10.5 | Porter - Double / Imperial | 16.8 |
| VAAT JAILHOUSE BREW | | DE PROEF | 9.1 | Stout - Imperial | 16.4 |
| TANKER KÜLMALE MAALE | | | 8.5 | Stout - Imperial | 16.4 |
| TANKER KAKSTEISTKUUD (2016) | | | 8.8 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 16.4 |
| PõHJALA Strudel Stout (Cellar Series) | | | 11.5 | Stout - Imperial | 16.4 |
| PõHJALA Gone Camping (Cellar Series) | | | 11.5 | Stout - Imperial | 16.4 |
| PõHJALA Bänger | | | 12.5 | Stout - Imperial | 16.4 |
| TANKER TÄISKUU | | | 5.6 | IPA - White | 16 |
| TANKER MUST KAPTEN - RUM BA | | | 9.4 | Stout - Imperial | 16 |
| TANKER MASINAÕLI | | | 6.6 | IPA - Black | 16 |
| SORI WINTER GORILLA | | | 7 | Porter - Baltic | 16 |
| SORI INVESTOR IPA | | | 6.9 | IPA - American | 16 |
| SORI Ensemble Three: DDH Mosaic & Citra | | | 8.1 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 16 |
| PõHJALA Peel And Bean | | | 8.5 | Porter - Double / Imperial | 16 |
| PõHJALA MUST KULD | | | 7.8 | Porter | 16 |
| PõHJALA Black Jam (Cellar Series) | | | 11.9 | Porter - Double / Imperial | 16 |
| TANKER Rye Of Sun | | | 7 | Saison | 15.6 |
| TANKER KETSER | | | 7 | Flanders Red | 15.6 |
| SORI Ensemble Five: Citra & Mosaic & Enigma | | | 8.3 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 15.6 |
| PõHJALA VALGE ÖÖ | | | 11.7 | American Strong Ale | 15.6 |
| PõHJALA Orange Gose | | | 5.5 | Gose | 15.6 |
| PõHJALA Õhtu | | | 5.5 | Porter - American | 15.6 |
| PõHJALA Jõuluöö | | | 8 | Porter - Double / Imperial | 15.6 |
| PõHJALA Cherry Garden | | | 8 | Gose | 15.6 |
| PõHJALA Belle Bulle (Cellar Series) | | | 8 | Gose | 15.6 |
| PÜHASTE Smoothie Loops | | | 4 | 19i | 15.6 |
| PÜHASTE HÕBEVALGE | | LEHE PRUULIKODA | 8 | Old Ale / English Strong Ale | 15.6 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer John Vic | | | 6.9 | IPA - Hazy / New England | 15.6 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer A Roasted Development Wild Turkey BA | | | 13.5 | Porter - Double / Imperial | 15.6 |
| ÕLLENAUT Brikett | | | 10 | Smoked / Rauchbier | 15.2 |
| VAAT WITTY NELSON | | DE PROEF | 5.5 | Belgian Witbier | 15.2 |
| TANKER KOMMUNALNAYA KÜLAPIDU | | | 6 | Porter | 15.2 |
| TANKER HALLUCINATION | | | 7.6 | India Pale Lagers / Imperial Pils | 15.2 |
| SORI DELIRIOUS | | | 8.1 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 15.2 |
| PõHJALA Vanilla Pillow (Cellar Series) | | | 12.9 | American Strong Ale | 15.2 |
| PõHJALA Sea Fog | | | 8 | Gose | 15.2 |
| PõHJALA RUKKIRÄÄK | | | 5.9 | Specialty Grain | 15.2 |
| PõHJALA Pime Öö Hazelnut | | | 13.6 | Stout - Imperial | 15.2 |
| PõHJALA MERI | | | 4.4 | Gose | 15.2 |
| PÜHASTE Mosaiik Vienna IPA | | | 6.9 | IPA - American | 15.2 |
| PÜHASTE DEKADENTS | | ÖLLENAUT | 10 | Stout - Imperial | 15.2 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Via Lactea Nebula | | | 6.8 | IPA - American | 15.2 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Harassment by Stout | | | 13 | Stout - Imperial | 15.2 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Get Oat | | | 5.5 | Porter | 15.2 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Ella-Eh-Eh | | | 7.9 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 15.2 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Can Touch This | | | 4.9 | IPA - Hazy / New England | 15.2 |
| ÕLLENAUT Talvesikk | | | 6.9 | Bock - Dunkel | 14.8 |
| ÕLLENAUT Must Eksport 7.9% | | | 7.9 | Porter - Baltic | 14.8 |
| TANKER VAIDAHELLNOT | | | 10 | 19g | 14.8 |
| TANKER MELODY | | | 9 | Stout - Imperial | 14.8 |
| TANKER MALDUGUNS SPICEMAN | | | 7.5 | Bock - Doppelbock | 14.8 |
| SORI DARK HUMOR CLUB COCONUT | | | 8 | Stout - Imperial | 14.8 |
| PõHJALA VIRMALISED | | | 6.5 | IPA - American | 14.8 |
| PõHJALA METS | | | 7 | IPA - Black | 14.8 |
| PõHJALA Kosmos | | | 5.5 | IPA - Hazy / New England | 14.8 |
| PõHJALA KOLMEKORDNE | | | 13 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 14.8 |
| PõHJALA Glen Noble (Cellar Series) | | | 13.2 | Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy | 14.8 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Harassment by Porter | | | 13 | Porter - Double / Imperial | 14.8 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA HARASSMENT by IPA | | | 13 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 14.8 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Westworld | | | 7.1 | IPA - American | 14.8 |
| ÕLLENAUT Simko Eil | | | 5 | Pale Ale - American | 14.4 |
| ÕLLENAUT Handshake | | | 6.5 | Porter - Baltic | 14.4 |
| TANKER Reloaded | | | 5.8 | IPA - American | 14.4 |
| SORI COFFEE GORILLA | | | 7 | Porter - Baltic | 14.4 |
| PõHJALA Suvila | | | 3.8 | IPA - Session | 14.4 |
| PõHJALA Prenzlauer 0 | | | 0.5 | Low Alcohol | 14.4 |
| PõHJALA Leevike | | | 5.5 | 19h | 14.4 |
| PõHJALA Cocobänger | | | 12.5 | Stout - Imperial | 14.4 |
| PÜHASTE LUMEPIMEDUS | | LEHE PRUULIKODA | 6.5 | IPA - White | 14.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA The World Is Your Oyster | | | 8.5 | 19g | 14.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Päikesetõus Salarannas | | | 6.2 | IPA - Hazy / New England | 14.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Õhus On Hägu | | | 5.5 | IPA - Hazy / New England | 14.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Moodne Klassika | | | 4.8 | Czech Pilsner | 14.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Harassment by Sour | | | 13 | 19g | 14.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Damage Report | | | 3.3 | IPA - Session | 14.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA CHILSNER | | | 5.5 | Spice / Herb / Vegetable | 14.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Alaska Forever | | | 8.5 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 14.4 |
| KOLK Mmm... | | | 4.2 | Pilsner | 14.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Yellow Sabromarine | | | 6.9 | IPA - Hazy / New England | 14.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer The Devil | | | 5.5 | IPA - American | 14.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Sour Park | | | 5 | 19g | 14.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Last Mango In Paris | | | 6.2 | IPA - Hazy / New England | 14.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Dr. Jones | | | 6.7 | IPA - American | 14.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Coffee People | | | 5.5 | Porter - American | 14.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Banana Bella Ciao | | | 8 | Stout - Sweet | 14.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer American Lager | | | 5.1 | American Adjunct Lager | 14.4 |
| ÕLLENAUT Sauna Alus | | | 4.5 | Saison | 14 |
| ÕLLENAUT Eesti Rukki Eil | | | 5.3 | Specialty Grain | 14 |
| VAAT LAGER THAN LIFE | | DE PROEF | 4.7 | Vienna | 14 |
| SORI GREAT SCOTT! | | | 5.1 | Belgian Pale Ale | 14 |
| PõHJALA UUS MAAILM | | | 4.7 | IPA - Session | 14 |
| PõHJALA Prenzlauer Berg | | | 4.5 | Berliner Weisse | 14 |
| PõHJALA Pilky | | | 5 | Pilsner | 14 |
| PõHJALA Gimme Danger | | | 10.5 | Stout - Imperial | 14 |
| PõHJALA CELLAR SERIES - TAARA AVITA! | | | 10.8 | Stout - Imperial | 14 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Väike Kollane Draakon | | | 4 | 19h | 14 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Moodne Klassika Nisuõlu | | | 5 | Weizen - Hefeweizen | 14 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Bilberry Blues | | | 10 | Fruit Beer | 14 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Applehoff | | | 5.2 | 19h | 14 |
| TANKER SOUND CHECK | | | 5 | Pale Ale - American | 13.6 |
| TANKER Normal Beer | | | 5 | Zwickelbier / Kellerbier / Landbier | 13.6 |
| SORI LEAPING LENA | | | 6.3 | India Pale Lagers / Imperial Pils | 13.6 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Solar Nebula | | | 4.5 | IPA - Session | 13.6 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA El Rey Dorado | | | 6.5 | IPA - American | 13.6 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer The Greatest Trick | | | 5.5 | IPA - American | 13.6 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Mr. Peanutbutter | | | 5.9 | Stout - Sweet | 13.6 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Funk Soul | | | 5.5 | Pilsner | 13.6 |
| A. LE COQ (TARTU OLLETEHAS) IPA | | | 5 | IPA - American | 13.6 |
| ÕLLENAUT Kuldne Eil | | | 5.6 | Amber Ale | 13.2 |
| TANKER SAUNA SESSION | | | 4.7 | Spice / Herb / Vegetable | 13.2 |
| TANKER I'm Sorry Gahr | | | 7 | Porter - Baltic | 13.2 |
| SORI MÉNAGE à TROIS | | | 9.2 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 13.2 |
| SAKU PORTER | | ALDARIS | 7 | Porter - Baltic | 13.2 |
| PõHJALA PESAKOND | | | 5.4 | IPA - Black | 13.2 |
| ÕLLENAUT Vaarikagreip | | | 3.5 | 19h | 12.8 |
| ÕLLENAUT Sesoon | | | 5.3 | Saison | 12.8 |
| TANKER MANIPULATION | | | 12.5 | Barley Wine | 12.8 |
| PõHJALA Tundra | | | 0.5 | Low Alcohol | 12.8 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Mehu Kati Null | | | 0 | Low Alcohol | 12.8 |
| A. LE COQ (TARTU OLLETEHAS) A. LE COQ PORTER | | | 6.5 | Porter - Baltic | 12.8 |
| TANKER RELOADED SESSION IPA | | | 5.8 | IPA - American | 12.4 |
| SORI WHITE LIES | | | 6.2 | IPA - White | 12.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Royal Mehu Kati | | | 7.5 | IPA - Imperial / Double | 12.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Red Mango Down | | | 8 | Gose | 12.4 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Harassment by Bock | | | 13 | Weizenbock | 12.4 |
| A. LE COQ (TARTU OLLETEHAS) BLOND | | | 5 | Golden / Blond Ale | 12.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Dr. No | | | 0.5 | Low Alcohol | 11.6 |
| A. LE COQ (TARTU OLLETEHAS) A. LE COQ VIRU | | | 5 | International Pale Lager | 11.6 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA 0 India | | | 0.2 | Low Alcohol | 10.4 |
| Anderson's Craft Beer Red Zeppelin | | | 4.5 | Irish Ale | 10.4 |
| A. LE COQ (TARTU OLLETEHAS) A. LE COQ JÕULUPORTER | | | 7.5 | Porter - Baltic | 10 |
| LEHE PRUULIKODA Null | | | 0.3 | Low Alcohol | 9.2 |
| SAKU KULD EXPORT | | | 4.5 | International Pale Lager | 8.4 |
| A. LE COQ (TARTU OLLETEHAS) A. LE COQ DRY ICE | | | 4.6 | International Pale Lager | 8.4 |
| SORI HAVANA GOSE with LIME & MINT | | | 4.6 | Gose | 8 |
| SAKU ON ICE | | | 5 | International Pale Lager | 6.4 |
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