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Video: Russia’s Craft Beer Revolution
Russia is Jumping on the Craft Beer Bandwagon
Craft beer is quickly replacing vodka as the drink of choice for many young Russians.
By Shira Kogut on Dec. 27, 2016
Russians are not known to be beer drinkers, but like the rest of the world they are slowly being turned on to the Craft Beer Craze and it is bringing new light to a nation that has been in one of the longest recessions they have experienced this century.
Video: An Inside Look Into Russia’s Beer Industry
Once You Go Craft, You Never Go Back
Like in many countries, the push towards craft brewing is coming from American ex-pats like Texan Douglas Zent from Victory Art Brew and Dan Madden of Dok’n’Dan Brewing, but it is spreading like wildfire. The number of microbreweries and craft beer bars has increased exponentially over the past 5 years and continues to rise as the ruble continues to crash and fall.
“If you’ve tried craft, you’ll never go back to lager. People try Indian Pale Ale and the way they think about beer changes straight away. Then they want something new, they like to experiment, play with tastes.”
Pairing Craft Beers With Russian Foods
Pairing craft beers with hearty meals for an affordable price is what is keeping the industry a float. While older generations had sausage and bland lagers the new generation is enjoying grapefruit IPAs and chocolate-flavored stouts with hearty stews or burgers. But if things are so dire, how are they affording it? Well it is simple economics imported brands that traditionally were big sellers are too expensive because the ruble is so low. Local craft beer has become the main and most affordable option for most young Russians who hang out in the “Beer Triangle” of downtown Moscow. Last summer sours were the hit in the “Beer Triangle” this summer…well we’ll have to wait and see.