Beer in
Poland has been brewed for well over a thousand years and has a significant history of tradition and commercial beer production. Poland is
Europe's third largest beer producer, producing 36.9 million
hectolitres, coming after the
United Kingdom with 49.5 million hl and neighboring
Germany with 103 million hl.[1]
Following the
Second World War, most breweries were nationalized by the Communist Government of the
Polish People's Republic. After the
collapse of communism and
return to capitalism, the market economy returned, 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,
Tyskie, and
Żubr.
Beer from small regional breweries, grouped in the Association of Polish Regional Breweries (Stowarzyszenie Regionalnych Browarów Polskich), crafts, contracted breweries and brewpubs 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
Poland is well known for its beer culture and many varieties. Large breweries are majority owned by multinational companies. However, since 2011, craft beer has become more and more popular each year.[4] Many multitap serving only craft beer and dedicated shops have opened since 2012.[5] Craft brewers brew beer in many different styles. In 2014, Polish craft breweries brewed about 500 new brands of beer. In 2017 the number of breweries in Poland exceeded 200.
Browar Namysłów brews about 1.7 million hl of beer per year and runs two breweries in
Namysłów and
Braniewo and under the brands Namyslów, Braniewo, Zamkowe and Kuflowe.[6]
Traditional open vast fermentation in historical
Bojanowo Brewery
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.
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. 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