{"title":"Latvian beer","description":"\u003cp\u003eLatvia has traditionally brewed on a small, farmhouse scale, and the modern craft scene draws on that tradition as well as on new styles. At Hoptimaal you'll find Latvian beer from Ārpus Brewing Co. in the styles sour beer, IPA and Lager \u0026amp; Pilsner, from fruity smoothie sours to hoppy DIPAs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!--verhaal--\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrom farmhouse brew to craft scene\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeer has been part of Latvia for centuries. Small-scale brewing has been a fixed part of life there since the Middle Ages, and countless dainas and folk songs have been written about beer. There are indications that Baltic tribes were already brewing beer in the 7th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe industrial revolution brought large breweries to the country. After that, the First World War and later the Soviet regime hit hard, with a return to small-scale production as a result. Because of that, Latvia was ahead of many other countries when the current craft wave arrived.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the early 2010s, farmhouse and artisanal brewing has been enjoying a revival. There are now around 40 microbreweries. According to Eurostat, Latvian breweries brewed around 85 million litres of beer in 2022, compared with 75 million litres in 2021.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHerbal beer, IPA and sour smoothies\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLatvia has two sides. On one side are the commercial lagers from Aldaris (Carlsberg) and Cēsu Alus, which together supply most of the bars, restaurants and supermarkets. On the other side is the older farmhouse and artisanal tradition, with among others the dark lager Tumšais from Valmiermuiža.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHerbal beer is the most distinctive style. Labietis, founded in 2012, works with Latvian and Baltic herbs, such as juniper, heather and meadowsweet, and with native yeast. Brewery Duna from Kuldīga makes lagers, pale ales, rauchbier, sour beers and a Herbal IPA with heather and peppermint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrewers' tastes have shifted from light and dark beers to IPAs, DIPAs, smoothie sours and barrel-aged beer. According to Duna brewer Rihards Okmanis, IPA is now probably the most popular style. When Duna started, most people didn't know what a sour beer was. That has changed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLatvian beer at Hoptimaal\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the Latvian breweries, we stock Ārpus Brewing Co. You'll find three styles with us: sour beer, IPA and Lager \u0026amp; Pilsner. Highly rated on Untappd are the smoothie sours, such as Arpus Orange X Mango X Apricot X Vanilla Smoothie Sour Ale and Arpus Blueberry X Grape X Blackberry X Plum X Pineapple Smoothie Sour Ale, and Arpus Mango X Pineapple Gose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHop lovers should look at Arpus TDH Motueka X Riwaka X Citra DIPA and Arpus TDH Strata X Taiheke IPA. If you want sour without alcohol, there's Arpus Non-Alcoholic Mango X Pineapple Smoothie Sour Ale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery brewery we sell has its own page, with all of that brewery's beers in one list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!--faq--\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is typical Latvian beer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no single fixed style: according to brewer Rihards Okmanis of Duna, you'll find every style in Latvia. Typically Latvian is mainly herbal beer, alongside dark lagers. IPA is probably the most popular style these days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich Latvian breweries are well known?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig names are Aldaris (Carlsberg) and Cēsu Alus. Among the craft breweries, Labietis, Duna, Valmiermuiža, Tērvetes and Alus Rūme Trofeja stand out. At Hoptimaal you'll find Ārpus Brewing Co.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is Latvian herbal beer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is beer brewed with local herbs and plants instead of just hops. Labietis, for example, uses juniper, heather and meadowsweet in its herbal ales.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"arpus-brewing-co-non-alcoholic-mango-x-pineapple-smoothie-sour-ale","title":"Arpus Non-Alcoholic Mango X Pineapple Smoothie Sour Ale","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eMango and pineapple team up in this non-alcoholic smoothie sour from Arpus Brewing Co., brewed to just 0.5% ABV without losing the fruit-forward punch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, expect ripe mango and juicy pineapple with a light citrus edge. The palate is thick and smoothie-like, balanced by a tart acidity that keeps the fruit sweetness in check. The finish is short, refreshing and tropical.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eArpus Brewing Co. is a Latvian brewery known for its smoothie sours and hazy styles, often brewed in collaboration with other craft breweries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arpus Brewing Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59356677931353,"sku":null,"price":5.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0513_processed.png?v=1789049737"},{"product_id":"arpus-brewing-co-tdh-nelson-sauvin-x-riwaka-new-zealand-ipa","title":"Arpus TDH Nelson Sauvin X Riwaka New Zealand IPA","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eTriple dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka, this IPA from Arpus Brewing Co. carries a distinct New Zealand hop signature, packed into a compact 440ml can.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, expect the winey, grape-like character of Nelson Sauvin with a touch of gooseberry, while Riwaka contributes citrus and passionfruit. At 7.2% ABV, the beer carries real body with a firm hop bite that lingers into the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLatvia's Arpus Brewing Co. is known for a broad, experimental lineup ranging from hop-forward IPAs to smoothie sours and pastry stouts, frequently brewed in collaboration with other breweries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arpus Brewing Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59356678095193,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0507_processed.png?v=1789049806"},{"product_id":"arpus-brewing-co-west-coast-pilsner","title":"Arpus West Coast Pilsner","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eA pilsner with a hop-forward, West Coast-inspired edge, brewed by Arpus Brewing Co. in Latvia. At 4.4% ABV, it pairs pilsner drinkability with a slightly bolder hop presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the palate, expect a crisp, refreshing body with a hop character that leans brighter than a classic pils. The finish stays dry and clean, true to the style's intent.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eArpus Brewing Co. is a Latvian brewery producing a wide range of craft beers, from hop-forward IPAs to smoothie sours and stouts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arpus Brewing Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59356678127961,"sku":null,"price":5.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0506_processed.png?v=1789049918"},{"product_id":"arpus-brewing-co-tdh-motueka-x-riwaka-x-citra-dipa","title":"Arpus TDH Motueka X Riwaka X Citra DIPA","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eTriple dry hopped with Motueka, Riwaka and Citra, this Latvian double IPA comes in at 8% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, expect citrus and tropical fruit notes, carried by a full body typical of the DIPA style. The finish leans firmly bitter, reflecting the triple dry hop treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eArpus Brewing Co. is a Latvian brewery known for hop-forward IPAs and fruit-driven smoothie sours, often brewed in collaboration with other craft breweries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arpus Brewing Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59356678324569,"sku":null,"price":6.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0508_processed.png?v=1789049956"},{"product_id":"arpus-brewing-co-tdh-strata-x-taiheke-ipa","title":"Arpus TDH Strata X Taiheke IPA","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eTriple dry hopped with Strata and Taiheke, this IPA from Arpus Brewing Co. brings two hop varieties together in a fresh release from Latvia.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe name points to an extensive dry-hop addition of Strata and Taiheke, suggesting an aroma-forward profile. Specific tasting notes weren't provided by the brewery, so expect to discover the exact character on the nose yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eArpus Brewing Co. is a Latvian brewery with a broad, ever-changing lineup of IPAs, sours, and stouts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arpus Brewing Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59356678357337,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0511_processed.png?v=1789049981"},{"product_id":"arpus-brewing-co-mango-x-pineapple-gose","title":"Arpus Mango X Pineapple Gose","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eTropical fruit meets a salty edge in this Gose from Arpus Brewing Co., where mango and pineapple mingle with the style's signature briny twist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, expect ripe mango and juicy pineapple, layered with a subtle salinity typical of the style. The palate delivers tart, fruity juiciness balanced by a dry, refreshing finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eArpus Brewing Co. is a Latvian craft brewery known for an experimental lineup spanning smoothie sours, hazy IPAs and imperial stouts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arpus Brewing Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59356678521177,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0510_processed.png?v=1789050011"},{"product_id":"arpus-brewing-co-orange-x-mango-x-apricot-x-vanilla-smoothie-sour-ale","title":"Arpus Orange X Mango X Apricot X Vanilla Smoothie Sour Ale","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eArpus Brewing Co. from Latvia has built a reputation on fruit-forward sours, and this Orange x Mango x Apricot x Vanilla Smoothie Sour Ale leans firmly into that dessert-like territory. Four fruits plus a touch of vanilla push the sour base toward something richer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, expect ripe mango and apricot upfront, with orange peel layered underneath. The smoothie-style body gives a creamy mouthfeel, while the vanilla rounds out the tartness without masking it. The finish stays bright thanks to the underlying acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eArpus Brewing Co. is a Latvian craft brewery known for a wide range of smoothie sours alongside dry hopped IPAs and stouts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arpus Brewing Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59356678553945,"sku":null,"price":7.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0509_processed.png?v=1789050041"},{"product_id":"arpus-brewing-co-blueberry-x-grape-x-blackberry-x-plum-x-pineapple-smoothie-sour-ale","title":"Arpus Blueberry X Grape X Blackberry X Plum X Pineapple Smoothie Sour Ale","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlueberry, grape, blackberry, plum and pineapple come together in a thick, fruit-forward smoothie sour that leans more toward juice than tartness. Arpus Brewing Co. builds this one around a creamy texture you don't usually find in a sour ale.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the nose, dark berries lead the way, with blueberry and blackberry upfront and a sweet-tart layer of plum and grape underneath. Pineapple adds a tropical lift to the finish. The mouthfeel is full and smooth, almost like a fruit smoothie, with a gentle acidity that never overtakes the fruit. At 4.5% ABV, it stays easy to drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eArpus Brewing Co. is a Latvian brewery known for fruit-driven sours and smoothie-style ales.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arpus Brewing Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59356678586713,"sku":null,"price":7.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0512_processed.png?v=1789050072"}],"url":"https:\/\/hoptimaal.com\/en\/collections\/latvian-beer.oembed","provider":"Hoptimaal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}