Few people like and value beer on the entire Baltic coast as in Estonia. The first breweries were founded in the 13th century by the efforts of monks. A foamy and soft hop drink was respected by local nobles, gladly absorbing it during the hours of a fun feast.
Centuries have passed, and Estonian beer is still popular both among the inhabitants of the country, and among visitors to the country who come to rest. And this is not surprising, because there are many breweries. But the most popular varieties are produced at the two largest plants, which are located historically in the cities of Saku and in Tartu.
History
Sakuk brewery can be proud of a large assortment of not only beer drinks. But the Tartu brewery A. Le. Coq leads its history from the first two productions: B.Y. Brewery Hess, founded in 1800, and the Justus Reinhold Schramm family brewery, founded by him in 1826. Justus got his first experience at his mother’s beer factory, then he started producing the drink on his own.
Having become a respected merchant, Justus Reinhold Schramm expanded the business, but his son Anton Justus Schramm designed and began to build the new brewery in 1860.
Honey drinks and vodka were added to the beer assortment. And the idea to open its own beer store in the center of Tartu, where other related products were sold, quickly paid for itself. And in 1879 the first beer restaurant was opened - a beer pub.
In 1884, the heirs of the founder of the brewery resold the family business, finding it burdensome.
Fortunately, a well-established business fell into the hands of an experienced industrialist Moritz Friedrich, who was the owner of Tivoli.
He did business on a grand scale, supplying products to Estonian buyers, as well as to St. Petersburg and Pskov. Along the way, receiving prizes at various international exhibitions.
But in 1913 he parted with the brewery. She passed into the hands of the Belgian beer industrialist Albert Le Cogh. His company A.Le Coq & Co (1807, London) by that time was already actively working in the world market. Deliveries of its signature dark and strong beer “Russian Imperial Porter” to the Russian capital were regular and constantly increasing.
The Estonian beer factory in Tartu was very welcome, because it was expensive to transport a drink from the UK. So Tartu Brewery acquired its modern name - A.Le Coq & Co.
Thanks to Albert Le Kogh, it has become a tradition for Tartu brewers to help, support, and make donations. So during the First World War, part of the beer was sent for the needs of hospitals.
But the world tragedy still affected production. The plant was not just stopped, but also completely plundered. And only in 1920 did the gradual revival of the enterprise begin. By 1936, all production facilities were completely restored and equipped with the most modern equipment at that time - electric, and the owner even managed to make a good profit.
But the time was unstable, and the political situation was changing quite quickly.
With the advent of Soviet power in Estonia, the plant was privatized, and the possibility of its development was postponed indefinitely.
Mid 20th century
This period can be called the Soviet one, since Estonia has been part of the Soviet Union since 1940. Only in 1991 did the Republic reaffirm its independence.
World War II caused the world economy irreparable damage. Production of Estonian beer was resumed only in 1944, when the city was liberated from Nazi troops.
The 50s were a period of powerful industrial breakthrough. Including for the brewery. He became the leader in production in Estonia and reached the all-Union level. Further, its development was already planned.
Modernity
Today, the Tartu brewery is part of a large international holding, which also includes the Saaremaa Brewery, the Latvian Cēsu Alus, the Lithuanian Ragutis AB and Ösel Foods.
The new owners regularly upgrade their production facilities, which increases their economic performance, and the Tartu brewery is rightfully considered the best company in Estonia’s largest city.
The modern Estonian beer from A.Le Coq brewery is represented by the following varieties:
- Le Coq Pilsner;
- Le Coq Premium;
- Le Coq Premium Alkoholivaba;
- Le Coq Premium Double Hops;
- Le Coq Premium Extra;
- Le Coq English Ale;
- Le Coq Porter;
- Le Coq Extra;
- Alexander;
- Alexander Weizen;
- Alexander Dunkel;
- Spesial
- Brewer's collection;
- Double Bock
- Tõmmu Hiid;
- Saaremaa Tuulik;
- Pilsner Eripruul;
- Disel
- Turbo Disel
- Buckler;
- Santanos;
- Imperial
- Warsteiner;
- Konig Ludwig.
In 2003, the Estonian Beer Museum was opened on the territory of the plant. In addition to this wonderful foamy drink with a variety of tastes, a degree of strength and lightness, the company produces absolutely non-alcoholic drinks such as cider, refreshing waters, juices, nectars.