Beer in Poland

Hand-sculpted ceramic beer mug from Dębno, Poland

Following World War II, most breweries were nationalized under the communist regime. After the collapse of the communist regime, a market economy was introduced, international beer companies moved in and a period of consolidation followed. Three companies now control 80% of the Polish beer market (according to data at the end of 2014). At the end of 2013, there were 97 breweries in Poland, including microbreweries and contracted breweries. The most popular Polish beers are Żywiec, Okocim and Tyskie.

Beer from small regional breweries, grouped in the Association of Polish Regional Breweries (Stowarzyszenie Regionalnych Browarów Polskich), crafts, contracted breweries and brewpubs it has become very popular and desired by consumers.

Industry

According to a 2009 Ernst & Young report, Poland is Europe's third largest beer producer. Poland produces 36.9 million hectolitres, coming after the UK with 49.5 million hl and Germany with 103 million hl.^[1]

Following consecutive growth in the home market, Związek Pracodawców Przemysłu Piwowarskiego (the Union of the Brewing Industry Employers in Poland), which represents approximately 90% of the Polish beer market, announced during its annual brewing industry conference that consumption of beer in 2008 rose to 94 litres per capita, or 35,624 million hectolitres sold on the domestic market. Statistically, a Polish consumer drinks some 92 litres of beer a year, which places it third behind the Czech Republic and Germany.^[2]

In 2009, beer sales paid some PLN 3.097 bn in excise taxes to the Polish government. Total employment due to beer production and sales is 207,900.^[3]

Brands and varieties

Żywiec Porter

Various Polish beers in can

Poland is well known for its beer culture and many varieties. Large breweries are majority owned by multinational companies. However, since 2011, craft beer becomes more and more popular each year.^[4] There are over 40 brewpubs and several dozens of craft brewers in Poland nowadays. Many multitap pub serving craft beer only and dedicated shops were open since 2012.^[5] Craft brewers brew beer in many different styles. In 2014, Polish craft breweries brewed about 500 new brands beers.

• Kompania Piwowarska (market share in 2014 - 33%)

It is majority owned by SAB Miller. It operates three breweries in Poland:

1. Tychy Brewery
2. Lech Brewery Wielkopolski
3. Dojlidy Brewery

• Grupa Żywiec S.A. (market share in 2014 - 27%)

Żywiec is 61% owned by Heineken Group. It operates five breweries in Poland:

1. Żywiec Brewery is one of the most well known brands. It has three varieties: Żywiec, Żywiec Bock, Żywiec Porter.
2. Elbrewery brews Specjal Jasny Pełny, Specjal Mocny, Warka Gdańskie, and Hevelius Kaper. The "EB" brand is available for export only.
3. Leżajsk Brewery brews Leżajsk Pełne, Leżajsk Mocne, Podkarpackie, Tatra Jasne Pełne and Tatra Mocne.
4. Warka Brewery brews Warka, Warka Strong, and Królewskie.
5. Cieszyn Brewery brews Double IPA, Żywiec Porter, Porter Cieszyński, Brackie, Brackie Mastne.

• Carlsberg Polska (market share in 2014 - 20,5%)

1. Okocim Brewery brews Carlsberg, O.K. Beer, Harnaś, Piast, Książ and Karmi.
2. Kasztelan Brewery brews Kasztelan Jasne Pełne, Kasztelan Mocne and Kasztelan Niepasteryzowane.
3. Bosman Brewery brews Bosman Full and Bosman Specjal.

• Browary Regionalne Jakubiak (BRJ)

1. Ciechan Brewery
2. Lwówek Brewery
3. Bojanowo Brewery
4. Tenczynek Brewery
5. Biskupiec Brewery

• Van Pur

1. Van Pur Brewery in Rakszawa
2. BROK Brewery in Koszalin
3. Łomża Brewery
4. Breweries Upper Silesia in Zabrze
5. Jędrzejów Brewery

• Royal Unibrew

1. Perła - Lubelskie Brewery
2. Zwierzyniec Brewery

Images of selected breweries

• 

  Browar Tyskie

• 

  Okocim Brewery

• 

  Browar Łomża

• 

  Browar Żywiec

• 

  Browar Lech

• 

  Browar Kasztelan

• 

  Browar Haust

• 

  Brewpub Spiż in Wrocław

Popular beer types

• Euro lagers of light, full and high strength. Called 'Piwo jasne lekkie', 'Piwo jasne pelne', 'Piwo jasne mocne'. ABV 3-9% depending on type, these most common beers found in Poland especially from 5%-6% ABV.
• Pilsner
• Baltic porters, classic style originating from countries surrounding the Baltic sea, having its roots in porter and stout. Called 'Porter' or 'Piwo ciemne mocne'. Usually of high strength of around 8-10% ABV. Polish Baltic porters are considered the best in the world. Commercial example: Komes Porter Bałtycki, Ciechan Porter, Lwówek Porter, Porter Warmiński, Grand Imperial Porter, Porter Cieszyński, Żywiec Porter, Okocim Porter, Perła Porter, and many others.
• Amber lager styles - Vienna, Marzen, etc.
• Bock styles, mainly Doppelbock. Known as 'Koźlak' as well as 'Bock' in Poland. Commercial examples: Amber Koźlak

See also

• Beer and breweries by region
• Festival of Good Beer
• Grätzer

References

1. "Ernst & Young - Europe remains world’s top beer producer according to Ernst & Young report". Ey.com. 2009-10-08. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
2. "PMR.com - Decline in beer market continues in 2010". Polishmarket.com. 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
3. "Ernst & Young - Contributions to the Beer Market". Brewersofeurope.org. 2009-10-08. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
4. http://www.kpmg.com/PL/pl/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/Documents/2014/Rynek-napojow-alkoholowych-w-Polsce-2014-czesc-I.pdf
5. "Craft Beer Places". Polish Craft Beer. Retrieved 2016-01-30.

External links

• Polish beer caps (in Polish and Russian)
• Map of polish craft beer places (brewpubs, multitaps, beer shops)