BEER AND WOOD Part 2 Barrel-Raised, Fed Through a Spout. Continuing the theme of the relationship between beer and wooden vessels, the next vital point is the ability of a wooden cask to allow the beer it contains to “breathe. Because wood is naturally porous, the beer has limited but continuous access to oxygen through […]
The History of Berliner Weisse …or how the trickster Cord Broyhan stole a Fleming’s recipe It is not known exactly where and when the first Berliner Weisse was brewed (those who know are either keeping quiet or are dead), but rumors have it that the very first of this unusually refreshing sour ale was brewed […]
Autumn beer – a British ale tradition Many people associate beer only with summer or hockey, but the vastness of the beer world means you can enjoy it all year round – you just need to know what to order. As the trees shed their leaves and the air becomes cooler and more humid, light […]
Not Everything is an IPA The Latvian beer landscape underwent a transformative shift around 2013, signaling the onset of the “craft beer revolution.” While small-scale breweries had operated in Latvia for decades, this era marked a decisive move away from traditional pale and dark lagers toward more assertive styles—most notably India Pale Ale ( IPA […]
Honey, Mead and Miestiņš Explore the history of honey fermentation in Latvia and the traditional etymology of mead. We define the essential brewing terminology for using honey in modern beer and craft brewing. Honey as a Source of Sugar Honey is the most concentrated source of sugar found in nature—significantly sweeter than wild grapes, figs, […]
How to brew beer at home There’s not much to write – we’ll tell it all and show it with moving pictures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj00B6csikU
What is craft beer or how to define craft beer? “It used to be simple. You say ‘beer’ and they pour you a beer – that’s it, no interrogations! But what about now?”– Labietis customer, tired of taste questions, Labietis beer workshop, 2018. In recent years, new terms have appeared in the dictionary — craft […]
Why PAGAN BREWS This slogan has adorned our bottles and souvenirs for a year now. As Labietis Brewery approaches its tenth anniversary, “PAGAN BREWS” best describes our identity on the world stage. It encompasses our roots, our vision of beer’s evolution since prehistory, and the guiding principles we follow in every brew. What follows is […]
Ale or Lager? A Generalized Introduction to the Differences “We only have ales.” “Damn it! But I want a beer!” Continuing our theme of foreign words, let’s briefly and definitively distinguish between an ale and a lager. Some pub-goers still fall into a solemn awe when they hear that Labietis brews only ales. This charming […]
The Magic of Mixed Fermentation The brewer’s trade is one of those cases where the name doesn’t really ring true. Let’s be honest – a brewer just “sets the table” and then waits, hoping that after the feast the result will be as close as possible to what was intended. This is why the words […]
