{"title":"Croatian beer","description":"\u003cp\u003eCroatian beer is mostly a story of the last ten years: a young craft scene in a country that has traditionally drunk more wine than beer. At Hoptimaal you'll find beers from Pulfer Brewery and The Garden Brewery, with stout, IPA and sour beer as the main styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!--verhaal--\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA late start in wine country\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCroatia has traditionally been a wine country, partly because of its proximity to Italy. Plenty of beer is drunk there, but the craft beer revolution reached the country later than the rest of Europe. In the mid-2010s, good craft beer was still hard to find there. A lot has changed since then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first new breweries started small, the homebrewing scene grew and a number of traditional lager breweries began to broaden their range. The foundation is much older. Osječka pivovara is considered the oldest modern brewery in the country, founded in 1697, and still brews the blonde Osječko pivo. The history of the brewery in Karlovac begins in 1854.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eZagreb is the heart of the craft scene\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZagreb is regarded as the beer capital and most microbreweries are in or around the city. Medvedgrad is the largest craft brewery in the country and has been brewing since 1994, mainly lagers. In the centre, Opatovina is even a street full of craft beer bars. Other names from the region are Zmajska, Varionica, Nova Runda, Mlinarica and Primarius.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNova Runda was founded by two childhood friends who wanted to shake up the monotonous Croatian beer market. The Garden Brewery shows how broadly the new generation brews: imperial pastry stouts, porters, sour beers and IPAs. The market is not easy. Total beer consumption is falling, large breweries dominate the shelves and rising costs put pressure on prices. Even so, the craft breweries are growing in volume and market share.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCroatian beer at Hoptimaal\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith us you'll find Croatian beer from Pulfer Brewery and The Garden Brewery, two breweries from the Zagreb scene. The range runs from Stout and IPA to Pale Ale and Sour beer. From Pulfer you'll find The Gauntlet, Harmony, Ruby Wyvern and Melody, among others, plus the thicker, flavoured beers from the Smoothiesh and For Goodness Shake ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach brewery has its own page with us, with all the beers we can deliver from it. That way you can look further per brewery and compare the styles side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!--faq--\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is typical Croatian beer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally that is lager, such as the blonde Osječko pivo and the lagers from Medvedgrad. The new generation of breweries also brews stouts, porters, IPAs and sour beers, such as The Garden Brewery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich Croatian breweries are well known?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedvedgrad, Zmajska, Varionica, The Garden Brewery, Pulfer, Nova Runda, Mlinarica and Primarius are all in or around Zagreb. In addition, Osječka pivovara is the oldest modern brewery in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere is the Croatian craft beer scene?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMainly around Zagreb, where most of the microbreweries are. In the city you'll find Opatovina, a street with several craft beer bars.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-garden-pale-ale","title":"The Garden Pale Ale","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eA light amber American Pale Ale, heavily dry hopped with Citra, Mosaic and Columbus, yet only 4.8% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt pours bright and light amber under a firm white head. On the nose, expect tangerine and melon with a gentle sweetness in the background. The palate brings soft citrus fruit and caramel, with a full body and a lasting, soft bitterness (40 IBU) in the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Garden is the Croatian brewery behind this Pale Ale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Garden Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48444616835417,"sku":"","price":3.25,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/1-944.png?v=1767624086"},{"product_id":"the-garden-stout-nero","title":"The Garden Stout | Nero","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eThe Garden Stout Nero\u003c\/strong\u003e is a full-bodied, dark stout with roasted malt, coffee and cocoa notes. The balance between powerful flavour and drinkability makes it ideal for cool evenings and relaxed tasting sessions with friends. With an ABV of 5.7%, it has enough presence without being overpowering, so it combines well with hearty dishes and sweet desserts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Garden Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57807089369433,"sku":null,"price":3.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/1-26-Photoroom_8705f6c6-43e6-433c-bf58-8289033d0192.png?v=1776258794"},{"product_id":"pulfer-brewery-smoothiesh-because-he-was-shellfish","title":"Pulfer Smoothiesh: Because He Was Shellfish.","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt Pulfer Brewery, every beer name hides a punchline, and Because He Was Shellfish. is no exception. This Sour belongs to the brewery's Smoothiesh series out of Zagreb, weighing in at 5.5% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with Pulfer's other Smoothie Sours, expect a thick, juicy mouthfeel paired with a lively, tangy sourness. IBU isn't listed, though the style leans on fruity acidity rather than hop bitterness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePulfer started out as a gypsy brewery in 2016 and opened its own brewhouse in Zagreb in 2019, where it has since built an international reputation for experimental Smoothie Sours and striking, artist-designed cans.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pulfer Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58916259299673,"sku":null,"price":9.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0260_processed.png?v=1787226678"},{"product_id":"pulfer-brewery-melody","title":"Pulfer Melody","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eMelody brings the IPA style of Pulfer Brewery from Croatia to your glass: 6.5% ABV in a 500 ml format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn IPA is built around hops, so expect hop aroma and a clear bitter edge, carried by a malt backbone that keeps things in check. At 6.5% ABV, Melody sits at a solid but drinkable level for the style. Specific aromas and finish are left open until the brewery confirms them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePulfer Brewery is a craft brewery from Croatia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pulfer Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59777537540441,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0801_processed.png?v=1791455882"},{"product_id":"pulfer-brewery-ruby-wyvern","title":"Pulfer Ruby Wyvern","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eRuby Wyvern from Croatia's Pulfer Brewery is a double IPA at 7.8% ABV. That puts it firmly in the strong, hop-driven end of the DIPA range.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor a DIPA of this strength, expect pronounced hop aroma, a fuller body than a standard IPA and a bitter finish. No hop varieties or specific flavour notes have been confirmed, so the glass will have to tell the rest of the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePulfer Brewery is a craft brewery from Croatia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pulfer Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59777538785625,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0800_processed.png?v=1791455857"},{"product_id":"pulfer-brewery-harmony","title":"Pulfer Harmony","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarmony is Pulfer Brewery's take on the IPA: a 6.5% ABV beer from Croatia, filled in a generous 500ml format and built around hops.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs an IPA, Harmony is all about the hops: expect hop aroma up front and a bitter edge in the finish. At 6.5% ABV it sits in the usual range for the style. The specific hop varieties and malts are not stated, so the finer details are best discovered in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePulfer Brewery is a brewery from Croatia, and Harmony is its own interpretation of the IPA style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pulfer Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59777539801433,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0802_processed.png?v=1791455826"},{"product_id":"pulfer-brewery-the-gauntlet","title":"Pulfer The Gauntlet","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gauntlet from Pulfer Brewery is a Croatian stout that sits firmly at the strong end of its style at 12.7% ABV. The 330 ml bottle suits a beer best enjoyed in small measures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStouts typically lean on roasted malt, and at 12.7% ABV a full body and a warming finish are the natural expectation. Specific aromas and flavour notes were not supplied, so this is a stout to explore yourself, sip by sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePulfer Brewery brews this beer in Croatia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pulfer Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59777542029657,"sku":null,"price":19.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0799_processed.png?v=1791455789"},{"product_id":"pulfer-brewery-for-goodness-shake-carribean-bean","title":"Pulfer For Goodness Shake: Carribean Bean","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 8.5% stout from Croatia, brewed by Pulfer Brewery. The name For Goodness Shake: Carribean Bean points to an unconventional take on the style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt 8.5% ABV, this is a stout for sipping slowly, more a long-evening beer than a quick refresher. Expect the dark, roasted side of the style with a full body. How the bean from the name shows up in the glass is best discovered by tasting it yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePulfer Brewery is the brewery behind this beer and comes from Croatia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pulfer Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59777542226265,"sku":null,"price":12.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0803_processed.png?v=1791455745"}],"url":"https:\/\/hoptimaal.com\/en\/collections\/croatian-beer.oembed","provider":"Hoptimaal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}